Award-Winning Artists Lead Five-Day "On Purpose" Festival Featuring 74 Artists, Exhibitions and Live Performances Across Newark

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed artist Bisa Butler and Grammy Award winner Durand Bernarr will headline the 25^th Newark Arts Festival, returning October 7-11 for five days of art, music, performance and cultural experiences across Newark.

Presented under the theme On Purpose, the festival brings together internationally recognized artists, emerging talent, cultural institutions and independent creative spaces for one of New Jersey's largest arts celebrations.

Butler will join an opening-night artist conversation and curate Bisa Butler Presents, a signature exhibition opening to the public during Art Night Out. Bernarr will appear Saturday at The Newark Museum of Art for An Evening with Durand Bernarr, an intimate conversation and live performance exploring artistry, creative process and purpose.

The festival will also feature the 74-artist On Purpose: The 25th Anniversary Exhibition, the Newark Arts Council Ball, the downtown Art Night Out art crawl, NAF Kids, emerging and independent performers at The Set List and Open Doors Studio Tours throughout the city.

"Newark has never needed permission to be an arts city," said Lauren LeBeaux Craig, Executive Director of Newark Arts Council. "This year's festival captures Newark's creative daring — its independence, its verve and its refusal to be limited."

"Curating this festival requires the same intentionality and cultural preservation as directing a great work of theater," said Daryl L. Stewart, Executive Producer of the Newark Arts Festival. "On Purpose is an intentional love letter to Newark's fierce, unapologetic, and creative arts community—a place where global legends and homegrown visionaries come together."

For the complete festival schedule, locations, and ticket information, visit newarkartsfestival.com.

On Purpose
The festival's 25th anniversary coincides with Newark Arts Council's 45th year of serving the city's creative community. On Purpose looks beyond that history to consider the future of Newark's arts community: What drives artists to create, and what will it take to sustain a thriving Newark arts community for generations to come?

That question also informs Newark Arts Council's On Purpose Capital Campaign, an investment in the organization's long-term capacity to support artists and deliver accessible cultural programming throughout Newark.

Newark Arts Festival is grateful for the support of sponsors and partners including Prudential Financial, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, City of Newark, Hanini Group, Express Newark, The Newark Museum of Art and NJPAC.

ABOUT NEWARK ARTS COUNCIL
For 45 years, Newark Arts Council has championed the arts as a powerful force for cultural, social and economic growth in Newark. Through artist opportunities, advocacy, partnerships, public programming and Newark Arts Festival, Newark Arts Council works to strengthen the city's creative ecosystem and ensure that artists remain central to Newark's future. 

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SOURCE Newark Arts Council