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About the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District

The Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District was designated on December 31, 2001 as an Arts and Entertainment District by the State of Maryland.  Maryland’s Arts & Entertainment (A&E) Districts help develop and promote community involvement, tourism and business revitalization through tax-related incentives that attract artists, arts organizations and other creative enterprises.

Silver Spring is now home to over 100 arts and humanities organizations, entertainment venues, attractions, creative enterprises, etc. which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. 

Maryland is one of the first states in the country to develop Arts and Entertainment Districts on a statewide basis. The benefits offered to designated districts include property tax credits for new construction or renovation of certain buildings that create live-work space for artists and/or space for arts and entertainment enterprises, an income tax subtraction modification for income derived from artistic work sold by “qualifying residing artists”, and an exemption from the Admissions and Amusement tax levied by an “arts and entertainment enterprise” or “qualifying residing artist” in a district.


This district is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council.