It is with deep sadness that the Baltimore School for the Arts shares the news of the passing of Founding Board Chair, Anthony M. ‘Tony’ Carey, on December 25, 2024.
For 45 years, Tony dedicated his life to nurturing and guiding the artistic talents of countless students, leaving an indelible mark on the BSA community and beyond. His leadership was instrumental not only in establishing BSA but also in shaping the future of the arts in Baltimore.
“Tony Carey embodied the very essence of and generosity,” said Shanae Williams McLean ’98, BSA Chair of the Board of Trustees. “His vision and commitment to the school have shaped generations of students and artists. His passing leaves an immeasurable void, but his legacy will forever light the way for those who follow in his footsteps.”
Mark Joseph, former Chair of the Baltimore City School Board and fellow BSA co-founder, reflected on Tony’s leadership during the school’s founding. “As chair of the Baltimore City School Board in 1975, I championed the founding of the Baltimore School for Arts. Having secured then-Mayor Schaefer’s commitment to buy the 100-year-old empty Alcazar hotel at Madison and Cathedral, we formed a board to supervise the new school. I asked Tony Carey to chair that board, which he took on with gusto. He was perfect for the job: smart, calm, and dedicated.”
Mark continued, “Tony researched the country’s very few public arts schools, including a visit to the North Carolina School for the Arts, and concluded that first we needed a director for the school. This led him to convince David Simon, Dean of the Manhattan School of Music, to move to Baltimore as the first head of the BSA. It was a brilliant choice as David nourished and built the school over his 16 years as director. With Tony’s board’s approval, we brought in one of Baltimore’s best volunteers, Sally Michael, and founded Expressions, the yearly show demonstrating the terrific talent of our students. Several years later, Tony was instrumental in expanding the school by acquiring and financing the Brownstone adjacent to the BSA. Tony was a sensational, thoughtful leader who left a record of great success for one of America’s finest arts high schools.”
In addition to his work with BSA, Tony played a pivotal role in the W. P. Carey Foundation, an organization founded by his family to support educational initiatives that strengthen America’s global standing. Through the Foundation, which has granted over $405 million to educational institutions since its founding, Tony extended his legacy of leadership and dedication to education, inspiring countless lives.
“Tony Carey was a cornerstone of support for the Baltimore School for the Arts,” said Rosiland Cauthen, Executive Director of the Baltimore School for the Arts. “A founder of the school, helping to not only build a strong foundation, but continually contributed to the success of the school. His legacy lives on in the halls of BSA. He will be greatly missed by our community.”
At this time, funeral and wake arrangements are pending. Details will be shared as they become available.
