Newark Arts Festival - 2026 Festival Kickoff

This is where 25 years meets what’s next.

Newark Arts Council and Express Newark invite you to the official kickoff of the 25th Annual Newark Arts Festival and opening reception of On Purpose., the festival’s signature group exhibition.

Newark Arts celebrates 25 years of championing Newark's artists and cultural leadership. Express Newark celebrates 10 years as a hub for socially engaged art at Rutgers University–Newark.

For one night, this kickoff brings the two organizations together for a joint celebration—eleven exhibitions, artist-in-residence open studios, a public conversation, live music, DJ's, food and drinks, all opening the season at Express Newark. Together, they mark a shared belief at the heart of both institutions: that art made with and for Newark shapes the city's future.

Move through the building at your own pace, meet artists, step inside their studios and experience the work and people shaping Newark’s creative community.

The evening features performances by Stefon Harris & Blackout, D. Cross and Charissa the Violin Diva, alongside exhibitions and open studios featuring Kevin Darmanie, Manuel Acevedo, Raul Ayala, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Kimmah Dennis, Shoshana Weinberger and more.

The night will also feature Bisa Butler: On Purpose, a special artist talk bringing acclaimed artist and NAF2026 guest curator Bisa Butler into conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and scholar Salamishah Tillet.

Please note: Bisa Butler: On Purpose is a separately ticketed experience with limited capacity. Tickets for the artist talk will be released at a later date. An RSVP to the Festival Kickoff does not guarantee admission to the conversation.

Come for the opening. Explore all three floors. Stay for the music. And help us begin the next chapter of Newark Arts Festival together.

25 years. On Purpose.

The 25th Newark Arts Festival is powered by Newark Arts Council and supported by: Prudential, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, City of Newark, Newark Arts and Education District, Newark Alliance, Hanini Group, Express Newark, The Newark Museum of Art, NJPAC, Russo Development, Edison Properties, Newark City Parks Foundation, Arts Ed Newark and Newark Public Schools.

For more information and the full NAF2026 lineup, visit NewarkArtsFestival.com

This event is free with a suggested donation. Your support helps Newark Arts Council continue creating programs, opportunities and resources for artists and our community.