Salem Arts Festival

ART WILL HAPPEN

June 4th, 5th, and 6th

https://salemartsfestival.com/

Art will heal us and help us recover from the challenges we have and continue to face. Arts and Culture are an integral part of day-to-day life in Salem and this annual festival has become a source of pride and revenue for hundreds of creative professionals and a major economic boost to the local community with over 6000 attendees annually. Through the COVID crisis the creative community has really stepped up to help us get through a lot of challenges and we want to find ways that we can support the creative community and contribute to the wellness of our City with the Festival as a platform and as an event.

Although the festival will be a little different than usual it will still celebrate and highlight the creative community.

You can find all the applications for these opportunities here. 

Confirmed!

• Mural Slam
  (Artists will be creating the murals either at their homes for an install after the festival or socially distanced around town, weather permitting)
• Performance stages
  We are spreading out around town this year, there will be no main stage to prevent crowds and gathering. This will give you the perfect opportunity to explore the Downtown and be entertained! We are committed to continuing to compensate all performers.

• Community Art Project
  Every year we choose a community art project that allows the community to have an active part in the festival. This year artist Linda Mullen will be creating “Together” which will provide an opportunity to reflect on the last year; what we have lost, what we are grateful for, what we have learned. Together, we will create a large installation piece consisting of white flowers that will be hung on a pre-constructed frame. We invite you to participate and hope that this process will be a ritual for reflection and healing.

• Street Fair Vendors
  In an effort to keep people safe and allow for distancing we will be featuring vendors on Derby Square, Charlotte Forten Park and the Salem Common. Explore all the nooks and don’t forget to pop into the local stores as so many of them also feature local artisans!

• Art Around Town and focus on small business

Rather than a centralized gallery, smaller galleries and shows featuring local artists will be present in businesses and storefronts throughout the Downtown. The Salem Arts Association is programming their first Salem Art Walk, where artwork by SAA artists will be featured in storefront windows around down. We are working with local photographer Susanne Bothe to highlight the humans behind the local businesses we know and love. These gorgeous portraits will be on display during the festival. Multiple community partners are working on their own initiatives for the weekend of the Festival, so keep your eyes peeled for art everywhere!