(NEWARK, NJ) -- This year’s theme for the Newark Arts Festival is: RADICAL REIMAGINING. The theme resonates throughout the festival, with each day highlighting a different goal focused on manifesting our radical ideas into reality. From October 9-13, 2024, visitors can experience and engage in a reimagination of the world where art is the essence of a life well-lived.
Close your eyes and see a world where art, culture and connectedness are the foundations of our systems, lifestyles and beliefs. A world where creativity is at the center of everything we hold dear, informing and impacting all that we do and all that we are.
Let us deconstruct and rebuild a world where change is an intentional process, driving us to a more equitable and just society. Together, let’s skillfully craft our communities into enriching environments where all can flourish by relying on imaginative problem solving, cultural strategy and systemic transformation.
It is time to reimagine the ways in which we can live our lives: as connected beings, co-creating the world together while breathing hope into generations and celebrating the joys, journeys and triumphs of our ancestors.
Open your eyes and step into a world where Radical Reimagining is the only way forward into the future we wish to see.
October 9th: Reimagining Newark Arts - Opening night, a vibrant Pink Ball at The Newark Museum of Art will shine a spotlight on Newark Arts’ new era. Although forever committed to the mission to expand access to arts and culture, increase opportunities for artists and culture workers, and amplify Newark as the creative engine of New Jersey, Newark Arts is in a new phase with a new vision, a new leader, and a new public space (more on that later). Visitors stepping into the festival’s Signature Exhibition on Opening Night will be immersed in brilliant emerging and established art, while enjoying delicious cuisine, luscious libations, and stunning performances celebrating the brilliant artistic expression that is so Newark! Events to look out for: The Pink Ball, Radical Reimagining Signature Exhibition opening
October 10th: Reimagining Open Spaces - From the salon to the studio to the street and back again, the spirit of the second day of the Newark Arts Festival asks us to look past the typical and traditional spaces for art and reimagine new locales that enable creative minds with room to grow and thrive. Transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, events like the Citywide Gallery Crawl and the opening of the Newark Arts Festival Headquarters invite the world to reassess where, when and how we expect to engage with great art and think beyond the box. Events to look out for: Citywide Gallery Crawl, Newark Arts Festival Headquarters Opening
October 11th: Reimagining the Urban Marketplace - For years, savvy creators have come together to buy, sell, create and perform, resulting in a cultural buffet that’s become one of Newark City Parks Foundation’s most anticipated and favored events – Night Market at the Newark Arts Festival. This year, we will leverage the entertainment, commerce and artistry at Mulberry Commons to create a cultural crawl through the city’s downtown corridor – from Ironside to Teacher’s Village. Whether you’re eager to fall in love with inspiring artwork, artisan craftsmanship, or spellbinding performances, the third day of the festival promises to delight your senses. Events to look out for: Night Market at Mulberry Commons, Newark Symphony Hall Line Dancing
October 12th: Reimagining Legacy - Abundance comes in many forms, and on the fourth day of the Newark Arts Festival, we reimagine what abundance would look like if everyone had access to it equally and unconditionally. Examining the abundance of joy, connection, and resources allows us to reconstruct a world where our legacy becomes one of healing, empowerment and generational wealth. When immersed in family and legacy building events, the path to creating a culture of hope, community and resilience feels more and more possible. Events to look out for: Family Day, The Sensory Friendly Tour, Theater Day, HBCU Night: The R&B Classic, Blueprints to Black Stacks Panel
October 13th: Reimagining Community - Nothing we can accomplish apart will ever compare to what we can create together, and the final day of the Newark Arts Festival upholds that idea as we ask everyone to reimagine a city that uses art to build bridges, forge bonds and lay paths to a better tomorrow. Whether breaking a sweat during the Brick City Run Club Morning Run or breaking bread with new friends during the NAF Brunch, together we can redefine our collective identity and transform our community into a world where struggle and suffering are rare, but prosperity and love are not. Events to look out for: BCRC Morning Run, NAF Brunch, Open Studio Tour, Next Up Newark Talent Showcase
Although they are ambitious, the reimagined world can’t be just the vision of the Newark Arts team alone. It requires community insight and imagination to ensure a world reshaped by everyone for everyone. So with that in mind, please see below how you can participate in the 2024 Newark Arts Festival and share your vision in the 5 Radical Reimagining Open Calls.
Open Call for Programming - For artists, curators, collectives, galleries, institutions, and venues that are self-producing their own event and wish to be considered for inclusion as an official participant of the 2024 Newark Arts Festival. Note: This is for Newark-based programming. Proposals that have a confirmed space are highly recommended, but not mandatory.
Open Call for Visual Arts - For visual artists and artist collectives who wish to be considered for placement in a gallery exhibition. Available placements include the Radical Reimagining Signature Exhibition at The Newark Museum of Art, Newark Arts Festival Headquarters, NICO Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC, pop up galleries throughout the Festival. Note: Space is limited.
Open Call for Performing Arts - For experienced music, theatre, dance and multi-disciplinary based performing artists, organizations, groups and collectives who wish to be considered for a spot in a dedicated NAF venue to present their production, performance, program or event, as well as be listed as a 2024 Newark Arts Festival Performing Arts Spotlight Event.
Open Call for Reimagined Icons - For visual artists who would like to be considered for one of four (4) spots as featured artist of the 2024 Newark Arts Festival digital marketing campaign.
Open Call for Festival Interns - For college/university level students and recent graduates who wish to be considered for an arts-related summer or fall internship with the 2024 Newark Arts Festival. Note: This position receives a stipend, but is also available for university credit.
