Deadline Extended: May 4, 2026 by 11:59 pm

Newark Arts established the ArtStart Grant Program in 2001 specifically to nurture arts and cultural activities throughout the City of Newark and to enhance the capacity of Newark’s non-profit organizations, schools, and individual artists to provide arts-based projects throughout the City’s five wards. ArtStart events must take place between August 1, 2026, and March 30, 2027. 

Applicants may request any amount up to a maximum of $5,000. 

PRIORITIES

For the 2026–2027 cycle, Newark Arts will give paramount consideration to projects that integrate arts and wellness, recognizing the vital role creative expression plays in supporting mental health, emotional resilience, cultural healing, and overall community well-being.

Projects that thoughtfully explore the intersection of arts and wellness—through restoration, joy, reflection, social-emotional learning, and empowerment—are strongly encouraged.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Creative practices that support mental, emotional, or spiritual wellness
• Community healing circles, storytelling, and intergenerational dialogue
• Movement-based practices such as dance, somatic arts, or embodied healing
• Visual, literary, and performing arts that foster resilience and self-expression
• Programming that addresses grief, trauma, stress, or social isolation
• Culturally rooted healing traditions and ancestral practices
• Public art or activations that promote joy, reflection, and belonging

In addition, Newark Arts will continue to prioritize projects that:

• Enhance recognition of the value of the arts as a catalyst to address social issues
• Engage with neighborhood or community-based organizations and respond to their identified needs
• Take place in local neighborhoods, stimulating creativity and community engagement
• Engage children, youth, seniors, and people with special needs
• Support academic achievement
• Are led by small organizations and individual artists, enhancing their future capacity

 For more detailed information you can download: Full ArtStart 2026-27 Guidelines

For 25 years, Newark Arts Festival has not happened by accident. It has been built and sustained through care, collaboration, and a deep respect for the people and practices that shape Newark’s creative community.  

This year’s theme, On Purpose, reflects how this Festival is created and what Newark Arts Council values. Every artist, performer, and program is selected with intention. Every experience is thoughtfully developed and presented with rigor. We believe in the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and transform; and we are committed to supporting that work with integrity, responsibility, and care. 

From October 7 – 11, 2026, New Jersey's largest and longest-running arts festival invites local, regional, and nationally recognized artists to present bold, festival-only work that honors where we've been and shapes where we're going. 

Visual artists, performing artists, and programmers are all encouraged to apply. 

All applications must be submitted via Submittable. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Open Call for Visual Art 

Are you a visual artist or part of a collective looking to be part of Newark Arts Festival 2026? We want to hear from you! Curators of established collectives are welcome to apply, but each artist must submit their own application (please reference your collective by name). This Open Call is for visual artists eager to share their creative visions in spaces dedicated to joy, connection, purpose, and artistic expression.

• Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, tempera, encaustic) 
• Drawing (charcoal, graphite, ink, pastel, colored pencil) 
• Printmaking (etching, lithography, screen printing, woodcut, monoprint) 
• Sculpture (stone, wood, metal, clay, glass) 
• Collage (2-dimensional works using, paper, fabric, found objects) 
• Assemblage (3-dimensional works using various materials and found objects) 
• Installation Art (site-specific, immersive environments) 
• Textile & Fiber Art (weaving, quilting, embroidery, felting) 
• Ceramics  
• Digital Painting & Illustration 
• Photography (film, digital, experimental) 
• Video Art & Experimental Film 
• 3D Modeling & Animation 
• Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) Art 
• Light Art (using LEDs, neon, projections) 
• Conceptual Art (idea-based works, often text-based or ephemeral)      

For this call, visual art does not include: 

• Graphic Design 
• Street Art & Graffiti 
• Mural Art 
• Performance Art (visual elements combined with live action) 
• Body Art (tattoos, piercings, body painting) 

Submission Guidelines: 

• Submit only artwork you wish to be considered for exhibition. Selected pieces must match the submitted works and be available for the exhibition.
• A non-refundable application fee of $10 is required per submission, supporting exhibition and administrative costs. Payment is made securely through Submittable. 
• Financial hardship? Fee waivers are available by contacting festival@newarkarts.org with a brief explanation. 
• Exhibition Opportunities: Artwork may be showcased in various festival locations, including: 

                        • Newark Arts Festival Signature Group Exhibition at Express Newark 

                        • NICO Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC 

                        • Newark ArtSpace 

                        • Pop-up galleries throughout the festival 

• Selected artwork(s) may be listed for sale on newarkarts.org. A 25% commission will support Newark Arts’ administrative costs. Please price your work accordingly.
• Application info session (mandatory for first-time applicants): May 13, 2026, at 7pm EST. Register here.
• Submission Deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2026, at 11:59pm

Need Help? 

Join us on May 13, 2026, at 7PM/EST for a virtual information session.  

Get support from a NAF representative, ask questions, and receive guidance on completing your application. For additional questions, contact festival@newarkarts.org. 

Let’s make Newark Arts Festival 2026 our most purposeful and purpose filled festival yet!  

For 25 years, Newark Arts Festival has not happened by accident. It has been built and sustained through care, collaboration, and a deep respect for the people and practices that shape Newark’s creative community.  

This year’s theme, On Purpose, reflects how this Festival is created and what Newark Arts Council values. Every artist, performer, and program is selected with intention. Every experience is thoughtfully developed and presented with rigor. We believe in the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and transform; and we are committed to supporting that work with integrity, responsibility, and care. 

From October 7 – 11, 2026, New Jersey's largest and longest-running arts festival invites local, regional, and nationally recognized artists to present bold, festival-only work that honors where we've been and shapes where we're going. 

Visual artists, performing artists, and programmers are all encouraged to apply. 

All applications must be submitted via Submittable. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

Open Call for Performing Artists

Newark Arts Festival 2026 invites individual performers and small performing arts collectives of up to five members to apply for performance opportunities across the city. Whether you are a singer, musician, dancer, poet, host, DJ, or perform in any other form, this is your invitation to bring your artistry to New Jersey's largest and longest-running arts festival.  

This year's theme, On Purpose, is a call to those who create with intention. We are seeking performances that demonstrate a high level of skill, strong execution, and a clear artistic perspective. Work should reflect both technical ability and a developed practice, with attention to detail in concept, presentation, and delivery. 

Selected performers will be featured across Festival programming, contributing to a dynamic, citywide experience that reflects the range and depth of Newark’s creative community. 

To apply, submit your application with links to your electronic press kit (EPK), social media, and performance samples. Due to the high volume of applicants, we will only contact performing artists we are interested in booking. Artists proposing larger productions, showcases, or ensembles of six or more members should apply through the Open Call for Programming and Performances.   

Submission Guidelines: 

All performing artists must submit an application through Submittable. Blind email submissions will not be accepted. If you have performed with NewarkArts Festival in the past, please note that in your application.

A non-refundable $10 application fee is required per submission, paid securely through Submittable. Fee waivers are available for artists experiencing financial hardship — contact us at festival@newarkarts.org to request one before submitting. 

Performance opportunities span the full arc of the festival and include both paid and unpaid engagements: pre-Festival events, the Newark Arts Council Ball, Art Night Out, An Evening with..., and additional opportunities as they become available. Due to the high volume of applicants, we will only contact artists we are interested in booking.

• Application info session (mandatory for first-time applicants): May 13, 2026, at 7pm EST. Register here.

Need Help? 

Join us on May 13, 2026, at 7PM/EST for a virtual information session.  

Get support from a NAF representative, ask questions, and receive guidance on completing your application. For additional questions, contact festival@newarkarts.org. 

Let’s make Newark Arts Festival 2026 our most purposeful and purpose filled festival yet!

For 25 years, Newark Arts Festival has not happened by accident. It has been built and sustained through care, collaboration, and a deep respect for the people and practices that shape Newark’s creative community.  

This year’s theme, On Purpose, reflects how this Festival is created and what Newark Arts Council values. Every artist, performer, and program is selected with intention. Every experience is thoughtfully developed and presented with rigor. We believe in the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and transform; and we are committed to supporting that work with integrity, responsibility, and care. 

From October 7 – 11, 2026, New Jersey's largest and longest-running arts festival invites local, regional, and nationally recognized artists to present bold, festival-only work that honors where we've been and shapes where we're going. 

Visual artists, performing artists, and programmers are all encouraged to apply. 

All applications must be submitted via Submittable. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Open Call for Programming & Performances

Newark Arts Festival is seeking innovative, unique, ideas for self-produced events, panels, pop-ups, parties and special experiences that align with our festival theme: On Purpose. We welcome individuals, collectives, and organizations to dream big and submit creative, community-centered programming proposals.

For this call, programming & performances include special events, films, panels, plays, musicals, one man shows, large showcases or presentations.

For this call, programming and performances do not include individuals who sing, dance, act, rap, recite poetry, or DJ. Individual artists should apply to the Open Call for Performing Artists instead.

Submission Guidelines: 

• Priority will be given to programming with confirmed date, time and confirmed locations. 
• Newark Arts Festival cannot facilitate space or funding for programs. All programmers must secure their own space for events and upload proof of collaboration, rental or confirmation of space.  
• A non-refundable application fee of $10 is required per submission. Payment is made securely through Submittable. 
• Financial hardship? Application Fee waivers are available by contacting festival@newarkarts.org. 
• We encourage collaboration and partnerships where possible.
• Application info session (mandatory for first-time applicants): May 13, 2026, at 7pm EST. Register here.
• Submission Deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2026, at 11:59pm EST. 

Need Help? 

Join us on May 13, 2026, at 7PM/EST for a virtual information session. 

Get support from a NAF representative, ask questions, and receive guidance on completing your application. For additional questions, contact festival@newarkarts.org. 

 Let’s make Newark Arts Festival 2026 our most purposeful and purpose filled festival yet!