Built to Last 2026
A Juried Art Exhibit of Baltimore Landmarks
On view at The Peale | April 17 – June 15, 2026
What does it mean for a building to last?
Built to Last explores Baltimore’s resilience through ten architecturally significant and sometimes overlooked sites, interpreted by regional artists through original artworks inspired by each landmark’s form, history, and future. Through art, archives, and public programs, this exhibition is both a love letter and a call to action for Baltimore’s built environment.
The 2026 Landmarks
Each artwork responds to one of the Built to Last landmarks—creating a citywide portrait of endurance.
- The Peale Museum
- Monument Square & Battle Monument
- Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
- Alex. Brown & Sons Building
- Mercantile Trust & Deposit Company Building
- Vickers Building
- Gayety Theatre
- Pennsylvania Railroad District Office
- B&O Railroad Headquarters
Baltimore Trust Company Building
The first Built to Last exhibition is now being finalized.
We’re in the final stages of confirming the 2026 exhibition lineup, featured artists, and interpretive elements. Check back soon for opening-week programs and special events.
What You'll Experience
- Original two-dimensional artworks by Baltimore-region artists
- Insight into each site’s history, style, and transformation
- Tours and public programs led by artists, historians, and preservationists
Key Dates
- Exhibition opens: April 17, 2026
- Finale art auction: June 12, 2026
- Exhibition closes: June 15, 2026
Public Programs
Built to Last will be accompanied by talks, tours, and special events exploring Baltimore architecture, preservation, and creative interpretation. Details will be announced as the schedule is finalized.
Supported by
The project is inspired by the original Built To Last: Ten Enduring Landmarks of Baltimore’s Central Business District initiative, launched in 2002 by the U.S. National Park Service in collaboration with the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), the Maryland Historical Trust, the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP), and Preservation Maryland.
Community Partners
Donations
Programs at The Peale are often free. Please help us keep programs free for all.
Call for Entries
Life in Baltimore
Art, Storytelling, and the City as It Is Lived
Life in Baltimore is The Peale’s long-term storytelling initiative dedicated to documenting Baltimore through contemporary art, oral history, and public dialogue.
Reviving a historic Peale exhibition tradition from the mid-20th century, the program creates space for artists and community members to reflect on the people, places, and lived experiences that define Baltimore today.
Life in Baltimore brings together exhibitions, oral histories, media projects, and public programs to document the city as it is lived today.