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Newark Arts Festival 2024: Radical Reimagining

originally published: 06/04/2024

(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.




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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 ProgrammingFor 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.




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Open Call for Visual ArtsFor 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 ArtsFor 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 IconsFor 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 InternsFor 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.

FEATURED EVENTS

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Theresa

Theresa Caputo

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: community


 

MAC’S

MAC’S Art of Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser

Sunday, February 16, 2025 @ 12:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: community


 

Theresa

Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience

Thursday, February 20, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: community


 

Miss

Miss Grand New Jersey

Sunday, February 23, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: community


 

Artrageous

Artrageous 2025 - Sensory-Friendly Theater

Sunday, February 23, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: community


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Timbuctoo:

Timbuctoo: NJ's Free Black Community Before the Civil War

(MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ) -- On Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 2:00pm, Historian Guy Weston will be presenting Timbuctoo: NJ's Free Black Community Before the Civil War at the South Brunswick Senior Center. Timbuctoo was settled in 1826 by formerly enslaved and free Black people with the assistance of Quakers. Most Timbuctoo residents owned their land, and the community established their own school and an AME Zion Church.



Darkside

Darkside New Jersey Art & Oddities Expo Brings: "Til Death Do Us Part" Night Alt-Market on Saturday

(BENSALEM, PA) -- Love is in the air… but so is the scent of darkness. On Saturday, February 15, 2025 the New Jersey Punk Rock Flea Market and Darkside Art & Oddities Expo present "Til Death Do Us Part," a Valentine’s Day-themed night market that blends romance with the macabre. The event takes place at Broken Goblet Brewing in Bensalem, PA.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents A Night in Lights Benefit Gala

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey will host A Night in Lights: State Theatre New Jersey Benefit Gala on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Proceeds from the gala directly support its mission to provide transformative arts education programs, affordable ticketing initiatives, and community outreach efforts that bring the joy of live entertainment to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Held at the historic State Theatre, the evening includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and an intimate performance by Tony® Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O'Hara.



Presidents'

Presidents' Day Weekend in Cape May features dozens of tours, activities, events

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Presidents' Day Weekend, February 14-17, 2025, includes Valentine's Day this year, and there's a surprising array of things to enjoy in Cape May with tours, activities and events presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture). The organization's main mission is promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. Cape May County residents: this holiday weekend is a good time to explore your hometown.



Ocean

Ocean County College Hosts "The Homage Exhibit" for Black History Month

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- In celebration of Black History Month, Ocean County College will host "The Homage Exhibit" on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 on the College's main campus in Toms River. This special event is sponsored by OCC's Organization for Black Unity and Office of Student Life in collaboration with the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission.