On Purpose: The 25th Anniversary Exhibition brings together over 70 artists whose work responds to that question in distinctly personal ways. Across disciplines, perspectives and practices, the exhibition considers the ideas, experiences, identities and convictions that move artists beyond inspiration and into the act of making.Presented by Newark Arts Council in collaboration with Express Newark, On Purpose reflects both the breadth of contemporary artistic practice and the creative community that has shaped the Newark Arts Festival over the last quarter century. Together, these artists offer no single definition of purpose. Instead, their work reveals purpose as something lived, questioned, discovered and continually made.Join us in celebrating 25 years of the Newark Arts Festival and the artists who continue to give us new ways to see ourselves, our city and the world around us.This event is free to attend, with a suggested donation to Newark Arts Council.

Your donation directly supports our work to create programs, platforms and opportunities for Newark artists throughout the year. Every contribution helps us continue investing in the artists and creative community that make Newark Arts Festival possible.

Choose the donation amount that feels right for you. Your support helps keep the arts in Newark growing.

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