(NEWARK, NJ) -- Voted New Jersey’s Favorite Visual Arts Festival of 2019, the Newark Arts Festival, powered by Prudential, announced the opening of its artist and curator calls on June 1st.  Both local and international artists are encouraged to submit online applications for the 18th annual citywide festival that will take place October 10-13th, 2019, in Newark.

The theme for the 2019 festival is “Year of the Woman.” All art, and or related programming that speaks to the overarching theme will be given priority in the jurors’ selection process. Newark Arts encourages applications from all artists of all mediums including Dance, Digital Art, Drawing, Fiber, Film, Music, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Spoken Word, Theater and more.

“Our 18th year is aiming to be our best yet! We are particularly anxious to see how the theme will be translated in this year’s festival, and anticipate a strong response to the call,” says Executive Director of Newark Arts, Jeremy Johnson.

Artists, galleries, curators, and spaces can visit Newarkarts.submittable.com before the application deadline on July 1, 2019 for consideration.

There will be a Festival Call Info Session for interested participants on Thursday June 13th, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Express Newark. 

Festival applications will be accepted in the following categories:

1) Artists and Curators Seeking Space (for interested parties who need space to exhibit, perform, or curate), 

2) Exhibition and Program Listing (for interested parties who already have a space for their activity/artwork),

3) Open Studio Tour Listing (for artists with studios or studio facilities in Newark), and

4) Call for Local Stakeholders to Donate Space (for property owners in Newark that wish to donate their space for a pop up exhibit or performance).

The Call for Artists and Curators Seeking Space will be conducted as a juried call, chosen by a panel of experts in a blind jury process. However, the other three categories are accepting all submissions who meet the requirements. Jurors for the 2019 Festival will include members of Newark Arts’ Artist Advisory Committee and festival curators. 

Each October, the Newark Arts Festival, produced by Newark Arts, puts a spotlight on Newark’s artistic and cultural institutions, featuring both nationally recognized and also emerging, local creatives, and provides attendees the opportunity to shop and purchase the work of over 100+ artists in their open studios. Alongside the visual arts, music, film, dance, theater and spoken word can be found throughout the festival programming, as well as hands-on arts activities for youth.

For more information on deadlines and specifics regarding all applications, visit newarkartsfestival.com or email festival@newarkarts.org. To volunteer at the Newark Arts Festival, click here.

The Newark Arts Festival is produced by the Newark Arts Council and powered by Prudential. Additional sponsors and partners include United Airlines, the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism and the Women’s Association of NJPAC.