About SAF - Salem Arts Festival

SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2021 FESTIVAL

June 4th, 5th, and 6th

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.

This year, the festival committee is working closely with the City of Salem and the local Board of Health to establish a hybrid event that will offer hope and vibrancy in person and “virtually” Please stay tuned for more information as we get more guidance and updates from the state and the city.

What to expect and how you can participate!

THE MURAL SLAM WILL HAPPEN

The Salem Public Art Commission and the festival committee remained committed to paying out artists during this challenging time and we have selected a dozen local artists that will be creating new murals for Artists’ Row – Salem, MA! The artists will be sharing some of their processes with you leading up to and during the festival! Make sure and follow the festival on Instagram @salemartsfestival

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We want the world to know that #artwillhappen and we are looking for you to submit some examples of what that means to you! We are looking for the following.

-Videos/Photos of art-making, performances, readings etc

-Information about live streams by local performers happening the weekend of the virtual festival

-Information on any art-making, art-loving events that may be scheduled for the weekend of the festival.

The Salem Arts Festival is offered free to all! We rely on volunteers to bring this wonderful festival to the community. If you are interested in helping with the organization of the Salem Arts Festival, contact Kylie Sullivan at kylie@salemmainstreets.org or (978) 744-0004 x115.

The SAF Organizing Committee:

John Andrews, Creative Collective

Kate Babcock, Hunter Creative Labs

Jim Bostick, Salem Arts Association

Karen Gahagan, Salem State University

Julie Barry, City of Salem

Leslie Levesque, The Phoenix School

Betsy Miller, Salem State University

Linda Mullen, Grace & Diggs

Karen Scalia, Salem Food Tours

Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets

Caryn Boehm, Peabody Essex Museum