With the postponement of Artsfest until September 2020, The Springfield Regional Art Council, in collaboration with the Downtown Springfield Association and the global #GivingTuesday movement, will celebrate the arts virtually this spring, through an online Artsfest.

“Area artists and performers rely on festival income,” SRAC Executive Director Leslie Forrester said. “With Artsfest’s postponement until fall, we saw the need to find ways to support artists and their creativity virtually. This will be a great way for our community to rally for the arts with the same festive spirit as they would during our annual spring event.”

Virtual Artsfest will be a $5 ticketed event, with a portion of all proceeds going into an arts relief fund managed by the SRAC. With each $5 ticket, patrons will receive exclusive access to online music performances, a list of participating artists and their websites; virtual artist studio tours and demos, art downloads and activities and coupons to local vendors. They will also be entered for the chance to win prizes including original art. Tickets can be purchased online at SpringfieldArtsfest.org starting Friday, May 1 through Thursday, May 7, 2020.

“Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street is not only an income generator for local and national artists, but serves as the largest fundraiser for the Springfield Regional Arts Council. We are obviously disappointed that we can’t see everyone on Walnut Street this spring, but are so excited for the opportunity to find new ways to support our working artists,” Forrester said.

The SRAC will host Artsfest again on the streets this fall, combining with Cider Days on September 19 and 20, 2020. This “super event” will expand the fall festival’s footprint with more artist vendors, performers, and all the other amazing components Springfield has come to enjoy from both community festivals.

For more information on this exciting program, please contact Jennifer Moseley, DSA Events Manager, at Jennifer@itsalldowntown.com.

The SRAC, incorporated in 1978, connects people and the arts. It supports some of the most prominent visual, performing, literary and film/media arts organizations and artists within 27 counties, the largest outreach of any in the state of Missouri. The current mission of the SRAC is to transform lives and enrich our Community through the Arts. The SRAC also manages The Creamery Arts Center, which houses the offices of the SRAC, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Ballet, Springfield Regional Opera, Springfield Community Center and Springfield Sculpture Walk, as well as a board room, classrooms, arts library, exhibition hall, film editing bays, shared costume and set design shops managed by the Springfield Little Theatre and instrument storage.