Partnerships & Resources

Promotion Center for Little Italy

The Promotion Center for Little Italy acts as a central voice for Baltimore’s Little Italy. The Center promotes events, organizations, Italian-related groups, heritage, and immigrant history through consistent communications an e-newsletter, websites, and social media.

St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church

St. Leo’s Church has been the nucleus of Little Italy since it was built. The congregation of St. Leo’s is a classic depiction of famiglia. St. Leo's Church is significant both architecturally and for its association with 19th-century Italian immigration and the establishment of Baltimore's Italian community. It is the first church in Maryland, and among the first in the nation, founded and built specifically for Italian immigrants. Besides housing Masses said in Italian, it sponsors a variety of social, humanitarian, and civic programs aimed at acclimating Italian immigrants to life in America.

The Pandola Learning Center

The Pandola Learning Center is in the heart of Little Italy and is housed in the former St. Leo’s Church Elementary School where generations of Italian American children were educated. The Pandola Center is dedicated to keeping Italian- American culture alive for all who appreciate the legacy of Italian ideals, civilization and culture. The Center offers adults and children’s classes in Italian language, cooking Italian foods, wine and cheese making, the arts, and anything Italian related that our students may suggest. Class sessions are arranged in two semesters (September and March) and are scheduled in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Madonnari Chalk Arts Festival

Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to showcase the exceptional talent, camaraderie, and creative spirit of Baltimore.

The annual three-day Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival is a cultural event that features elaborate chalk paintings created by artists directly on the streets of Little Italy. The free outdoor festival includes live music, street performers, participatory art, an art market, and al fresco dining.

The organization also produces and sponsors other arts projects in the community, the most recent being the Trevi Fountain mural located on Lloyd Street at Stiles.

For additional information, contact Cyd Wolf and Jonathan Willen, Executive Producers of the Festival.

Italian Heritage Festival - Associated Italian American Charities of Maryland (AIAC)

The Italian Heritage Festival is held annually in October and is hosted by the Italian Heritage Committee. Proceeds from the event benefit St. Leo’s Church and other organizations. The Festival’s major sponsor is AIAC/Associated Italian American Charities.

Little Italy Lodge

The Little Italy Lodge is a part of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) founded in New York City in 1905. It is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the rich cultural heritage of Italy.