Baltimore community arts activist and UMBC’s curator of collections and outreach for the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, Sandra Abbott, was sworn in to the board of the Baltimore City Public Art Commission on Monday, June 10, 2013 by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

As a member of the board of the Public Art Commission, Abbott juries public art projects along with eight other members under the City’s 1% for Art Program. The program enhances the cityscape, quality of life, and artistic and creative climate in Baltimore. The 1%-for-Art Ordinance requires at least one percent of the City's capital construction project's eligible funds be used for the selection, acquisition, commissioning, fabrication, placement, installation, display, and maintenance of public fine artwork. The program is administered through the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA).