(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- For four days this October, Jersey City will become one giant art destination as the 37th Annual Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST) returns October 1–4, 2026. The citywide celebration will bring together artists, galleries, studios, exhibitions, murals, performances, tours, and cultural experiences across all six wards of Jersey City, inviting residents and visitors to discover the people and places that make Jersey City a dynamic arts community.
This year’s theme, “Unbounded Nature,” invites artists and audiences to consider nature as a concept without limits or boundaries—and to explore how nature exists within a city and shapes who we are. Through contemporary and traditional art forms, JCAST artists will examine the evolving relationship between people, the environment, and the built world, while reflecting on the personal and cultural experiences that shape how communities understand and interact with the world around them.
A CITYWIDE CELEBRATION OF ART AND CULTURE
“Jersey City’s arts community is one of the great strengths of our city, and JCAST is a wonderful example of what happens when artists, residents, businesses and government come together,” said Mayor James Solomon. “Our Arts & Culture Trust Fund represents an important commitment to making sure artists and cultural organizations have the resources they need to create, grow and reach communities across Jersey City. JCAST brings that investment to life, opening doors to artists throughout all six wards and inviting residents and visitors to experience the creativity that makes our city unique.”
JCAST also demonstrates the connection between arts, culture, neighborhood vitality and economic development. “JCAST is an important part of Jersey City’s creative economy and an opportunity to bring residents and visitors into our neighborhoods to experience the incredible artists and cultural spaces throughout the city,” said Mira Prinz-Arey, Executive Director of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation. “JCEDC is proud to support JCAST through UEZ funding because investments in arts and culture also help strengthen our commercial corridors, attract visitors and support the small businesses that make our neighborhoods vibrant. JCAST demonstrates how culture and economic development can work together to create a stronger, more connected Jersey City.”
“JCAST is an extraordinary opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Jersey City’s creative community,” said Kristel Mejia-Asqui, Acting Director of the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs. “From artists opening their studios to exhibitions, murals, performances and neighborhood tours, JCAST creates meaningful connections between artists and audiences throughout the city. We are proud to support a festival that makes art accessible, celebrates our neighborhoods and gives Jersey City artists a platform to share their work.”
FOUR DAYS. SIX WARDS. ONE CITYWIDE ARTS EXPERIENCE.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE ARTS
JCAST is an invitation to experience Jersey City differently,” said Atim Annette Oton, Producer of JCAST. “For four days, the city becomes a living canvas, with artists opening their studios, exhibitions filling cultural spaces, murals transforming our streets, and tours taking visitors into neighborhoods across all six wards; and we begin the event honoring two incredible individuals, a dance leader and an art educator.”
JCAST 2026 is expanding access to arts and cultural programming throughout Jersey City, with support from the Educational Arts Team and an NJEDA grant supporting JCAST programming. As part of this expanded programming, JCAST will present 25 free art workshops across the city, providing residents and visitors with opportunities to participate in the creative process—not simply view art.
Through Educational Arts Team, JCAST will also bring theater, performance, and visual art programming to Camp Liberty and Liberty State Park, creating additional opportunities for the public to experience the arts in accessible community and outdoor settings. The festival will further expand its performing arts programming by curating 20 musicians and poets in venues and cultural spaces across Jersey City, bringing live music, poetry and performance into the broader JCAST experience. Together, these programs reinforce JCAST’s commitment to making art accessible throughout the city and creating opportunities for people to see it, experience it and participate in it.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 — THE LAUNCH
JCAST begins Thursday, October 1, in The Heights with the official festival kickoff, the JCAST Legend Awards and the opening of the first official JCAST exhibition, curated by Lucy Rovetto. The opening night launches four days of art, discovery and community throughout Jersey City. The JCAST Legend Awards will honor two individuals whose careers and contributions have helped shape Jersey City’s artistic landscape: Diane Dragone and Ben Jones.
Diane Dragone, founding director, choreographer and teacher of The Kennedy Dancers School, has dedicated decades to dance education and performance. A certified New Jersey dance teacher, Dragone has worked with and performed in numerous ballets, opera, orchestral and theatrical productions. Ben Jones, a multidisciplinary artist and educator, taught art for more than 40 years as a professor at New Jersey City University. His career as an artist and educator has influenced generations of students and contributed significantly to Jersey City’s creative community. In 2024, Jones was honored for his artwork The University of Jones.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 — JCAST EXPANDS
On Friday, JCAST expands with official exhibition openings at Liberty State Park, Saint Peter’s University Gallery and Rankin Hall. The exhibitions are curated by Nick De Pirro, Beatrice Mady and Trish Gianakis. Visitors can move throughout the city, discovering exhibitions, galleries, artist studios and creative spaces while experiencing the distinct character of Jersey City’s neighborhoods. The day concludes with JCAST Art Happy Hour at 902 Brewing Company.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 — ART IS EVERYWHERE
Saturday brings the full JCAST experience to life across all six wards. At the center of the weekend is JCAST Open Studios, allowing visitors to meet artists, see their work, and experience the places where art is created. Open Studios will take place at 150 Bay Street, the Elevator Building, and artist studios throughout all six wards of Jersey City. The day also features the official JCAST exhibition at The Bethune Center, curated by Shantel Asante-Kissi, along with exhibitions, performances, and special programs throughout the city. Visitors can explore Jersey City through a series of JCAST tours and excursions, including:
JCAST LGBTQ+ Tour with Jessica Chaos — exploring artists, creative spaces and LGBTQ+ cultural connections.
Mural Tours with Jayne Freeman — discovering Jersey City’s vibrant public art and the stories behind its murals.
Art & Food Tours with Lorena Loayza — connecting creative spaces with local food and neighborhood culture.
Heights Photowalk with Lalea Raymond — experiencing the architecture, public art and visual character of The Heights through photography.
JCAST x Bike JC Tours — connecting galleries, studios and outdoor public art by bicycle.
Jersey City Culture Excursion — exploring the city’s broader cultural landscape, history and creative communities.
JCAST Artist Studio Shuttles will also connect visitors with participating studios and cultural destinations throughout Jersey City. The day will connect visual art with music and performance through special programming, including a concert with the New Jersey Symphony downtown.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 — DISCOVER, EXPLORE AND CELEBRATE
Sunday continues the celebration with another full day of JCAST Open Studios, exhibitions, tours and neighborhood experiences. Visitors can return to 150 Bay Street, the Elevator Building and participating artist studios throughout all six wards, meeting artists and discovering the creative spaces that make Jersey City’s arts community unique. The day continues with JCAST x Bike JC, the Heights Photowalk, Mural Tours, Art & Food Tours, artist studio shuttles and additional JCAST programs.
The four-day festival concludes Sunday evening with the JCAST Closing Party, bringing artists, audiences, partners and the broader Jersey City creative community together to celebrate four days of art, discovery and connection.
MORE THAN AN ART TOUR
For 37 years, JCAST has provided a platform for Jersey City artists to open their doors and share their work with the public. Today, JCAST has grown into a citywide cultural experience connecting artists, galleries, studios, cultural organizations, performers, businesses, and audiences across Jersey City. At its heart, JCAST is about discovery: discovering an artist for the first time, walking into a working studio, finding a mural on a neighborhood street, experiencing an exhibition in an unexpected space, or seeing a familiar part of Jersey City in a completely new way.
Each ward has a story. Each neighborhood has a creative identity. Each artist has a perspective. Together, they tell the story of Jersey City.
JCAST 2026 — UNBOUNDED NATURE, October 1–4, 2026: Across all six wards of Jersey City
Here are details of the complete festival schedule, exhibitions, tours, and participating artists:
JCAST Schedule: EVENT SCHEDULE – JERSEY CITY ART & STUDIO TOUR JCAST Event Schedule
Website: Explore Jersey City's Vibrant Art & Studio Tour 2026
The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour is a citywide celebration of the visual and performing arts connecting audiences with artists, studios, galleries, cultural organizations, and creative spaces throughout Jersey City. JCAST is produced by The Creative Side JC, with support from the City of Jersey City, Office of Cultural Affairs, Jersey City Arts Council, Jersey City Arts & Culture Trust Fund, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Educational Arts Team, 902 Brewing Company, Jersey City Arts Council, and partners with the Jersey City Free Public Library, Liberty State Park, Saint Peter's University, The Bethune Center, Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID), Historic Downtown Jersey City Special Improvement District (HDJCSID), Jackson Hill Special Improvement District (JHSID), NJ TRANSIT, and has WBGO, WFMU and WMSC of Montclair State University as radio station media partners, and coLAB Arts as a fiscal sponsor.
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