NEWARK ARTS FESTIVAL OPEN CALL

How does culture influence the artistic process? How does culture impact a community? Each of us has our own thoughts, perceptions, behaviors, and expressions based on our lived experience. Adopting a cross-cultural perspective starts with listening and learning from others who are different from us, and appreciating the beauty of how they experience and show up in the world. 

The Newark Arts Festival 2023 will provide Cross Cultural Perspectives in a truly powerful way: through the arts. NAF 2023 will enhance each attendee and participant’s cultural experience by providing a rich bounty of diverse viewpoints, artistic mediums and voices to be valued.

DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2023

Newark Arts Festival (NAF), powered by Prudential Financial and produced by Newark Arts, will attract thousands of artists, collectors, aficionados and creatives to New Jersey’s largest city this Fall. Happening September 27 through October 1, 2023, this free four-day celebration of arts and culture will span across all five wards of Newark, kicking off with a not-to-be-missed Opening Event on Wednesday, September 27th at The Newark Museum of Art. 

Voted New Jersey’s Favorite Visual Arts Festival, NAF 2023 will proudly feature the “Cross Cultural Perspectives” of Newark’s diverse and vibrant arts community, as well as national and international voices in the arts. Unique to this year’s festival will be a spotlight on the contributions of Newark-area hip hop pioneers, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. 

Led by local and national curators, each day of the Festival will feature dynamic artistic offerings from Newark’s creative community including pop-up art installations, performance and poetry experiences, the Open Doors Kids festival, film and media events, nightlife, panels and more. Artists are encouraged to apply to the Open Call, which opens on April 17th and will close on June 1st.  

Particularly known for must-see exhibitions that generate fervent conversation around timely social issues, NAF will partner with The Newark Museum of Art to host the “Cross Cultural Perspectives” group exhibition, expanding on the success of previous years. The poignant visual arts exhibition will enhance each attendee’s cultural experience by providing a rich bounty of diverse viewpoints, artistic mediums and voices to be valued. 

ELIGIBILITY

Not applicable

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Newark Arts will host an NAF 2023 Information Session for artists interested in submitting on April 17, 2023.