Arts reporter

Mary Carole McCauley

Mary Carole McCauley is an arts reporter specializing in theater, books, classical music and visual arts. A native Chicagoan, Mary joined The Baltimore Sun in 2000. Her writing has been honored with a National Headliner Award and nine awards from the Society for Features Journalism.

Robyn Murphy was appointed as the permanent CEO of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts July 25, 2025 by Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott

Robyn Murphy becomes permanent CEO of Baltimore’s arts council

July 28, 2025 at 10:45 a.m.

Robyn Murphy was appointed Friday as the permanent chief executive officer of Baltimore’s arts council, a position she has held on an interim basis for the past eight months.

After two years of negotiating Walters Workers United have reached an agreement with the Walters Art Museum for their first contract, beginning a three-year agreement, according to a press release from Walters Art Museum. (Mary Carole McCauley/Staff)

Walters Art Museum workers in Baltimore ratify collective bargaining agreement

July 25, 2025 at 11:08 a.m.

After two years of negotiating, Walters Workers United has reached an agreement with the Walters Art Museum for its first contract, beginning a three-year agreement, according to a news release...

Hip-hop artist Nas will perform his debut album Illmatic alongside the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on July 23, 2025, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. (Courtesy of the BSO)

‘Tonight was incredible’: BSO hosts its first rap concert as Nas brings ‘Illmatic’ to Meyerhoff stage

July 24, 2025 at 6:47 p.m.

Hip-hop legend Nas performed his iconic debut album "Illmatic" with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a sold-out crowd at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, marking a historic first-time collaboration with the BSO.

Baltimore-born opera singer Hakeem Henderson, who this fall will begin a prestigious residency for young artists with the Washington National Opera. (Courtesy of Hakeem Henderson)

A Belair-Edison man wrote a song for Spike Lee. Now, he sings opera.

July 23, 2025 at 9:03 a.m.

It wasn’t easy being a Black teen in the Belair-Edison neighborhood who sang opera. But Hakeem Henderson persevered.

Portrait of founder of the University of Maryland Medical School, John Beale Davidge. (Courtesy)

‘Our Mona Lisa’: Portrait of medical school founder discovered in former Baltimore eatery

July 23, 2025 at 9:05 a.m.

An unknown 19th-century portrait of UMD medical school founder has been discovered in a former Baltimore seafood restaurant's closet.

People participate in a rally to call on Congress to protect funding for US public broadcasters, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), outside the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 26, 2025. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Public broadcasters in Maryland react to Trump defunding. Will local stations survive?

July 19, 2025 at 11:48 a.m.

Congress voted to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, forcing local stations nationwide to confront steep budget cuts and uncertain futures.

Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners meeting hall. (Racquel Bazos/Staff)

Baltimore charter school can qualify for $1.4M grant without rezoning through Trump administration

July 17, 2025 at 5:59 p.m.

A new Baltimore charter school will qualify for a $1.4 million federal grant thanks to recently clarified guidelines by Trump administration.

"Its a Woman World" by artist Mary Proctor (Handout)

From pain to painting: Self-taught artist Mary Proctor’s show to open at AVAM

July 15, 2025 at 12:56 p.m.

Mary Proctor didn't become an artist until her grandmother died in a 1995 fire. As she battled grief, God told her, "Paint onto the doors."

The Urbana Lodge will open July 21 in Frederick County with an eclectic menu of food, craft beer and whiskeys.

Frederick County restaurant The Urbana Lodge to open next week

July 14, 2025 at 5:42 p.m.

The Urbana Lodge, the third in a series of neighborhood eateries from a restaurant group, is set to open July 21 in Frederick County.

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett is among the authors who will appear at the National Book Festival on Sept. 6, 2025

2025 National Book Festival in DC returns in new political terrain

July 11, 2025 at 8:29 a.m.

The National Book Festival has announced its 2025 lineup. This year the event could draw more interest than usual for political reasons.

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