Is the Historic Courthouse accessible? Yes, the Historic Courthouse has an accessible entrance at the corner of Park Ave and Court Ave which will serve as the primary entrance for the Center for Arts, Culture & History. Handicapped parking spaces are located near this entrance. Visitors will enter on Level 1 and can access the other levels by elevator.

How will artists and arts organizations access the facility? We anticipate the building being open to the public during current building hours (Monday – Thursday, 9am – 10pm, Friday, 9am – 8pm, Saturday, 10am – 4pm, and Sundays, 12pm-4pm), extended weekend hours to accommodate theatre productions, and after-hours access being granted through swipe cards for leaseholders and staff. 

Will there only be two entrances to the facility? Yes, the plan is to have two public entrances for the Arts Council and the AAPI Center on the ground level, one entrance from the parking lot, and one entrance off Court Ave; a security presence will also be located near the area where the two entrances meet. 

Will there be a way to bring in larger items such as sculptures or large canvases? At 8510 High Ridge Road, the Arts Council can accept artwork that can fit through our double-doored entrance. We have requested similar egress at the Courthouse. If this is not feasible, one possible solution might be the Roving Radish’s Sallyport area.

Describe the artist studios and arts organization offices in terms of square footage, location in the building, access, and ceiling height. Space and design plans have not yet been finalized; however, the Arts Council has requested a variety of square footage for artist studios and arts organization offices, ranging from 95 to 760 square feet. In addition, the Arts Council has requested studios be placed on exterior walls with natural light and close access to water. Ceiling heights are to be determined.

Will the current resident artists be guaranteed a space at the new location, and will studio and office rental rates be comparable to the current facility? The Howard County Arts Council’s Center Committee is responsible for making policy recommendations regarding the Arts Council’s Resident Studio Artist, Resident Arts Organization, and Arts Advancement Organization (AAO) programs to the Howard County Arts Council Board of Directors. The HCAC Center Committee will review current rental rates before making increases. Any increases will be reasonable and measured against current market rates. Resident artists and arts organizations will be notified of any increases before leases are issued.

Will the resident artists have moving help? To be determined.

Do the windows open in the proposed artist studios? Opening/closing the windows will not be possible. Manual and motorized shades are being provided on many of these windows.

Will the studio rental rate be reduced as the studio spaces do not provide the same amenities as those at 8510 High Ridge Rd? No. In FY25, the Arts Council instituted the first rental rate increase in several years and anticipates a slight increase in rental rates while continuing to provide affordable space for artists.

In the AAPI space, there is a community space. Is it possible to create something similar for artists?  Currently, the Arts Council’s priorities are to ensure that we have equivalent space at the Historic Courthouse to accommodate our current level of studio, classroom, theatre, gallery, and meeting spaces. As the design team works through more specifics, they may find spaces that work well for that kind of functionality, and it is great to know it is something the artists would like.

Is there going to be a ventilation system in each studio? No, there will not be a system in each studio.  The ventilation system has been designed to meet the current local code requirements for Art Studios and Art Classrooms. Accordingly, fresh outside air will constantly be cycled into each of the studios throughout the day. 

Will there be sinks in the studios? Yes, there will be stainless steel utility sinks in each of the artists’ studios.

Will there be 24/7 access? To be determined, however, we have requested 24/7 access.

Will there be additional storage space for artists? At this time, there are no discussions about additional storage for artists outside their studios. Our priorities are to ensure that we have equivalent space at the Historic Courthouse to accommodate our current level of studio, classroom, theatre, gallery, and meeting spaces.

How will the Arts Council assign studios to existing Resident artists? Can you please describe the process? In April 2024, the Center Committee will begin developing policies and procedures to facilitate the relocation process, including assigning studios at the Courthouse to existing Residents. Residents received a survey in February 2024 to provide input on the criteria that they feel are important for the Center Committee to consider when developing the process. The success of the Resident program is due in large part to the thoughtful work of the Center Committee, a standing Board Committee responsible for putting guidelines and policies in place to evaluate studio space applications and for selecting excellent artists and groups for the program. The Committee is made up of Board and non-board members from the community with diverse expertise and experiences in the arts and includes a representative from the Resident artists and a representative from the Resident arts organizations. Through the Committee’s thoughtful and deliberate selection process, we currently have an incredibly diverse and vibrant group of artists and arts organizations in residence. The Committee will be equally thoughtful in developing a process to place artists and arts organizations in residence at the Courthouse.

Will there be varied rents for different studios? The Arts Council anticipates a slight increase in the Resident rental rate while continuing to provide affordable space for artists. Any increase will be set by the Center Committee and reviewed annually. The rental rate per square foot will be the same for all studios at the Courthouse. However, the new studios will vary in size and therefore, the rent associated with each space will vary based on the size of the specific studio. In FY25 the Resident rental rate is $9.50 per square foot per year for residents of Howard County and $11.50 per square foot per year for out of county residents.

Will there be a term on our leases? Yes, all Resident leases will be executed for a specific term. This is the current practice for the Resident program, and we do not anticipate it changing.

Are there any plans that offer added facilities for the use of resident artists in the building like a printmaking studio or a tech lab etc.? No, there are no plans to provide any added facilities such as a printmaking studio at the Courthouse.  The current plans include 2 galleries, a black box theatre, a dance studio, a multipurpose meeting space, 3 classrooms, 18 visual artist studios, 3 organizational offices, and HCAC offices.

Can the ceilings in the artist studios and gallery be opened to increase height?   We anticipate the design will remove drop ceilings from all studios and the galleries to obtain as much height as possible, paint exposed items above ceiling line for an “industrial” feel and try to layout any new ductwork so that is has the least impact for tall art pieces.   

What type of flooring will be in the artist studios?  New, easy to clean, durable Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring will be installed in the artist studios.   

What kind of lighting will be in the artist studios? Can lights be dimmable and color corrective? It is unlikely that the studios will have light dimmers, however it is possible that the light bulbs will be color corrective. More will be shared when we have exact specs.  We do not anticipate zoned lighting in the studios

Will each studio have individual thermostats?  We are anticipating thermostat “zones” for several studios together instead of individual studios.  

Will each wall of each studio be equipped with power outlets? Yes, the walls of each of the studios will include a power outlet.

Will the shelving remain in the judges chambers?  No. They will be removed, and room layouts will be reconfigured to maximize square footage.   

Will there be new skylights or windows added to the exterior of the artist studios?  No.  

Will there be a new freight elevator or will the size of the existing elevators change?  No.   

Will the AAO fee increase? The Howard County Arts Council’s Center Committee is responsible for making policy recommendations regarding the Arts Council’s Arts Advancement Organization program to the Howard County Arts Council Board of Directors. Currently, the AAO fee is $250 per year, and it has not been increased in many years. The HCAC Center Committee will review current fees before making increases. Any increases will be reasonable and measured against current market rates. AAOs will be notified of any increases before contracts are issued.

Will storage be available to the Arts Advancement Organizations? Storage in the courthouse is limited and may not be available in the multi-purpose room (Historic Courtroom #1, Level 2) where we anticipate AAOs hosting meetings and workshops. Currently, the plan includes approximately the same amount of overall AAO storage space on Level 1 that will be accessible by elevator and stairs, but the individual storage units may be smaller. The Arts Council recommends AAOs take stock and potentially reduce inventory before the relocation.

Will there be an opportunity for AAOs to provide input on what they need? Staff will conduct a survey to get input from various facility users.

Will there be in-person meetings with the architect and county for this project? A tour of the Courthouse was held on January 18, 2024.  About 25  HCAC stakeholders including HCAC Board and Committee members, Resident Studio Artists, Resident Arts Organizations, and AAOs attended.  Following the tour, there was a presentation and Q&A with Howard County Facilities and the project architects. Additional facility tours for stakeholders were held on January 31 and February 22 and led by HCAC staff. The County hosted a public meeting for the community to review initial floor plans and meet with new tenants as well as County staff and architects on May 30, 2024.

Who provided input about the potential re-use of the Courthouse, and can you share the survey of the 600 stakeholders concerning the relocation of the Howard County Center for the Arts? The community feedback referenced was gathered during the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan process as well as during community meetings focusing on the adaptive re-use of the Historic Courthouse which indicated cultural programming including artist studios and performing arts, entertainment venues, civic uses, and gathering spaces as desired uses for the space. It does not reference a survey specific to relocating the Arts Council from our current facility to the Historic Courthouse. The Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan can be accessed on the information page maintained by Howard County Government and found here.

Why were the artists at the Howard County Center for the Arts not consulted before this decision was made? The Arts Council informed resident artists and arts organizations as soon as the information became publicly available.

Is there a specific survey that was done that shows the public was not favorable to the current location of the Howard County Center for the Arts? Here is a random sampling of HCAC’s constituent feedback regarding the 8510 High Ridge Rd location:

• “Part of the vitality in any community is provided through the arts. These experiences make a profound impact on quality of life. They need to be equitable for access to all. The area where the Arts Council is located is not accessible…”
• “The Arts Council should seriously consider a new home, larger, more centrally located, and closer to the heart of things.”
• “… the parking availability is very limited and doesn’t support many of the art shows and public events.”
• “Since a lot of the space is utilized for art studios… each artist should offer something to the community such as active teaching there, short talks or demos… Too often I have experienced locked studios that offer nothing.”
• “The spaces for education… are more suited for kids. They need more sophistication and maturity – less of a “hobby arts” feel.”

Can you please provide more information about the other organizations/activities that will be housed in the new space? In addition to the Arts Council, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Center and the Roving Radish will also have space at the Courthouse location. AAPI will have a welcome center to provide information about AAPI culture and heritage along with office, meeting, and classroom spaces. The Roving Radish will have a shared kitchen, which will be used as a maker space for culinary artists, entrepreneurs, and caterers to offer classes and prepare food for events. More information about the AAPI Commission can be found here. For more information about Roving Radish, please visit https://rovingradish.com/.

What is a “shared commercial kitchen space” and how does it operate? The Roving Radish will manage and operate the shared commercial kitchen space. Please reach out to Roving Radish with additional questions at https://rovingradish.com/pages/contact-us.

Will the courthouse replicate the Howard County Arts Council’s current facilities and amenities? The Arts Council, Howard County Office of Administration, and Howard County Department of Facilities are working together to ensure that the Art Council spaces at the Courthouse will include at least the following:

• 14 Artist Studios with windows and access to water
• 3 Arts Organization Offices
• Black Box Theatre
• Dance Studio
• 2 Galleries
• 3 Classrooms with access to water
• Multi-purpose meeting space for community arts groups
• HCAC Offices
• Classroom, Office, Gallery, Theatre & AAO Storage

What additional facility amenities will be available at the Courthouse location? New facility amenities at the Courthouse include the following:

• More Artist Studios/Arts Organization Offices (current plan includes 20 from 17)
• Ample Public Parking (285 vs. 50, 470% increase)
• Access to Public Transportation
• Proximity to OEC, a tourist destination with shopping, dining, and historical and cultural sites
• Modern Public Restrooms (current plan includes 26 from 11)
• Larger Classrooms
• Larger Dance Studio
• Larger Multi-Purpose Room
• Private Artist Studios & Offices with Secured Access
• Partnership Opportunities with Co-Tenants & OEC Community 

Will moving the Arts Council help to establish Ellicott City as an Arts & Entertainment District? Yes, relocating the Arts Council to Historic Ellicott City will provide the arts anchor needed to apply for and receive the State of Maryland’s designation as an Arts & Entertainment District. 

Will there be classrooms like those at the current facility? Yes, there are 3 designated classrooms on the Ground Level. This space is currently Courtroom #6, an adjacent corridor and control room, and the former jail cells.  Based on the most recent discussions, classroom spaces will be slightly larger than the classrooms at 8510 High Ridge Rd, which range from 600 sq ft – 690 sq ft. 

Will there be dedicated storage for HCAC tables and chairs so rental spaces can be fully utilized? Storage is limited. The Arts Council has requested storage for the multi-purpose room, which will be located in Historic Courtroom 1, the team is still trying to determine if this will be feasible. 

Will there be access to water in the multi-purpose room and classrooms?Adjacent to the multi-purpose room, there will be a kitchenette/pantry area that includes a sink, cabinets and countertops.  The classrooms will all have sinks.

Will the facility have Wi-Fi? Yes, we anticipate the building will have Wi-Fi similar to what we have available at our current location.

Will additional electrical outlets be available in the classroom and/or multipurpose space? There will be multiple wall-mounted and floor receptacles installed in the multi-purpose room as well as the classrooms.

Will the Historic Courthouse be a LEED-certified building? The building will not be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. However, many of the systems to be provided mirror the guidance, intent and goals of USGBC’s rating system.

Will the Historic Courthouse include a state-of-the-art theatre? No, the current plan includes a black box theatre that will provide flexible space for a variety of uses.

NEW: Do you have details regarding the measurements of the new black box space and audience capacity? The black box is approximately 2100 square feet with an occupancy of 140 (including audience, tech crew, staff, and performers).  The current plan is to provide seating for 120 people.  The contractors are reviewing seating options, and this audience number is not final.  

NEW: Will the black box’s audience seating arrangement be alterable? I.e. seating on multiple sides, if desired.  The long-term plan is to have retractable seating, which will allow for different configurations in the theatre.  It is unlikely this will be possible in the initial phase of the theatre, and renters should plan for a seating configuration similar to that of our current black box at 8510 High Ridge.  The contractors are reviewing seating options, and we will update this when we know more.   

NEW: How many performers will be accommodated in the backstage dressing rooms/green rooms?  There are plans for 2 dressing rooms.  Each is equipped with an individual stall bathroom.  No other amenities in the dressing rooms are known at this time.  The occupancy of the two dressing rooms is 16 people in one, 17 people in the other for a total of 33.  Rental of the dance studio adjacent to the theatre will be encouraged and will have an occupancy of 25 people.   

NEW: Will the black box lighting capabilities be more advanced and will a lighting technician be provided in the rental fee?  The lighting capabilities of the new black box will be similar to that of the black box at 8510 High Ridge.  There are plans for a dedicated technical booth where the equipment will be secured and will no longer require daily set up.  The Arts Council does not have lighting technicians on staff currently and initially the rental of the technical equipment will be similar to the current rental plan.   

NEW: When will rental reservations open for the new black box space? Staff is collecting Fall 2025 rental requests for 8510 High Ridge from September – November only in accordance with the HoCo Arts rental timeline.  Construction dependent and subject to delays, we hope to open rentals in the Fall for the remainder of the FY26 rental schedule (February – June 2026).  In accordance with our policies, current renters will receive notification when rental requests forms open. See “RENTALS” section for more specific rental contract information.  

Will the light fixtures be preserved in the building? Each of the existing light fixtures in the building are being replaced. The new fixtures will pay homage to the original use of the structure.

Is the funding secure to complete this project? Funding for the Center for the Arts and AAPI programming at the Center is currently available. The contractor was provided the purchase order for this work at the end of 2024.  The Roving Radish and Shared Kitchen components of the Center will be done later, once requisite funding becomes available.

Have any other potential locations been considered besides the Historic Courthouse? In partnership with Howard County Government, who owns and manages 8510 High Ridge Rd, the Arts Council has explored several other potential facilities, most recently, the Long Reach Village Center and the New Cultural Center in Downtown Columbia, to address the needs articulated by the community which include a more centrally located facility with access to public transportation and increased parking.

How many parking spaces are available? There are 285 parking spaces available in the Historic Courthouse parking lot.

How far is the entrance from the parking lot? It is approximately .1 mile or a 3-minute walk from the parking lot to the main entrance of the courthouse.

Is the parking lot well lit? Yes, the parking lot is very well lit with several streetlights currently illuminating the parking lot.

Will there be temporary parking designated for loading and unloading equipment? Yes, the accessible main entrance does have two spots that are designated for temporary parking. The side entrance is on a narrow street that does not allow for temporary parking.

Is the Historic Courthouse accessible by public transportation? Yes, the Historic Courthouse is serviced by the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) of Central Maryland by Route 405 which runs from The Mall in Columbia to Ellicott City. Additional information can be found here.

Will the Arts Council continue to offer a similar facility rental program to arts organizations and other organizations, individuals, and businesses presenting arts programming at the Historic Courthouse? Yes, the Arts Council will continue to offer affordable rental spaces including 3 classrooms, a multi-purpose meeting room, a dance studio, and a black box theatre to arts organizations and arts presenters. 

Will the classroom or multi-purpose room accommodate up to 20 students plus equipment? Currently, the plan calls for utilizing Historic Courtroom #1 on Level 2 as a shared multi-purpose space. This space is significantly larger than our current conference room. In addition, the plan includes three larger classrooms on the Ground Level, two of which we hope to be able to adjoin with a movable wall. Depending on the size of the equipment, both the multi-purpose space and the classrooms should accommodate 20 students.

Will room and theatre rental rates be similar to current rates? The  Arts Council’s Center Committee is responsible for making policy recommendations regarding the Arts Council’s facility rental program, including rental rates, to the Howard County Arts Council Board of Directors. Rental rates at 8510 High Ridge Rd have not increased for several years. The HCAC Center Committee will review current rates before making increases. Any  increases will be reasonable and measured against current market rates. Renters will be notified before any leases or contracts are issued.

Will it be possible to reserve spaces more than 1 year in advance? This is something that the HCAC Center Committee may consider sometime in the future, but as of now, we do not anticipate structural changes to the rental program.

NEW: Our organization is scheduling next year (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) what dates can we rent? The rentals will open for requests on the typical rental timeline.  Staff will schedule and contract based on that timeline for requests at 8510 High Ridge through Sunday, November 16, 2025.  There will be no rentals scheduled or contracted after November 16, 2025.  The Arts Council staff will accept requests for the new building with rental dates February 1 through June 30, 2026 but will not confirm schedules or create contracts until we know the rooms will be ready and rental prices have been approved by the Center Committee. 

NEW: Our organization needs a space for workshops in February and April 2026, should we be looking for alternative venues for these two workshops?  Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee when the building will be ready for rentals.  We are encouraging renters to share their dates with them for February-June 30, 2026, but we will not contract these dates until we know the rooms will be ready and rental prices have been approved by the Center Committee.  

What is the timeline for the renovation and relocation? Construction has commenced and the renovations are anticipated to be completed by late 2025.  

NEW: When are you moving? The current plan is to physically move in late November and through December 2025.

NEW:  What is the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 programing timeline? Programs (which include rentals/HCAC classes/exhibits) will be open at 8510 High Ridge Road until November 16, 2025.  After this, the building will be changing locations.  At the time of this update, the plan is to reopen programs and rentals at the new facility in February, 2026.  No contracts will be made with renters until we have confirmation that this is possible.   See “RENTALS” section for more specific timeline. 

Is there any possibility the art studio wing can remain at its current location, like the studios at Long Reach Village Center? No. At the State of the County address on October 24, 2023, County Executive Calvin Ball also announced that the Divine Nine, or the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), a collaborative umbrella council composed of nine African American fraternities and sororities, will move into the facility at 8510 High Ridge Rd.

Who made the executive decision to give the current location of the Howard County Arts Center to the group of fraternities? 8510 High Ridge Rd is a county-owned facility and this decision was announced by County Executive Calvin Ball at the State of the County address on October 24, 2023.

What will the operating model at 8510 High Ridge Rd look like after the relocation of the Arts Council to the Historic Circuit Courthouse? 8510 High Ridge Rd is a county-owned facility and future operating plans are being developed by Howard County Government.

Will 8510 High Ridge Rd be renovated to accommodate the new tenants? 8510 High Ridge Rd is a county-owned facility and any facility renovations needed to accommodate future users would be managed by Howard County Government.