Words and Images Courtesy of Neon Festival
NORFOLK, Va. – (August 2022) – The NEON District’s Festival committee is now accepting submissions from artists and performers for programming during the seventh annual NEON Festival. The NEON Festival will take place in the NEON District of Norfolk on October 20 and 21, from 6 to 10 pm. This free festival is presented by Arts Alliance and Old Dominion University in partnership with the Downtown Norfolk Council and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
NEON Festival programming is driven by the community, sourced through this free open call and then organized by a volunteer committee. A variety of spaces will be available on both evenings at multiple stages and venues, with opportunities to show art in indoor and outdoor pop up exhibition spaces and for performers at a variety of neighborhood venues. Visual artists (2D and 3D), musicians, bands, entertainers, dance troupes, theaters, performance artists and cultural organizations are encouraged to apply.
The open call to artists is available now until August 19, 2022. Applications can be submitted here. All applicants will be notified of invitation to participate by August 29, 2022. Questions can be directed to info@neonnfk.com.
The NEON Festival is a two-evening festival celebrating and encouraging visitors to explore and discover the NEON District, Norfolk’s first official arts district. The NEON District is anchored by the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House and extends to The Plot on Granby Street. Since its inaugural year in 2015, the NEON Festival has been attracting more than 4,000 visitors to the NEON District each fall for two nights of programming. Hundreds of performers, artists, musicians, dancers and makers have presented their art on NEON Festival stages and gallery walls.
The 2022 NEON Festival will also include:
3 new murals unveiled
Glass After Dark at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio and the Museum open late on Thursday
Dynamic exhibition opening at d'Art Center with refreshments, make & take, art for sale and DJ on Friday
The Plot Beer Garden and main stage entertainment from local community groups on Friday
Public art tours led by Norfolk Tour Company both evenings
Pop-up art galleries in NEON District businesses and venues
Programming from Virginia Opera, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Teens with a Purpose, Governor’s School of the Arts, Hurrah Players, WHRO, 757 Makerspace, Bhav Brigade, Tidewater Burners and more
Additional sponsors include Sway Creative Labs, Work Program Architects and VisitNorfolk. For festival sponsorship opportunities, participation, venues or programming, please contact Rachel McCall at the Downtown Norfolk Council or call 757-623-1757.
Norfolk’s first official arts district, NEON (New Energy of Norfolk), is home to long-time cultural institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House as well as studio-based ventures like d’Art Center and the Rutter Family Art Foundation, all providing artists a place to make, create and show. Within a few short blocks you can see a muralist at work, take in an improv comedy performance at Push Comedy Theater, watch a live glass-working demonstration, shop for unique home goods, get a tattoo or dine out at an eclectic restaurant. Learn more at NEONNFK.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Downtown Norfolk Council is a private, not-for-profit membership organization comprised of businesses and individuals working toward a dynamic, attractive and prosperous Downtown. DNC also manages the Downtown Norfolk Improvement District, a 50-block special services district with enhanced services that keep Downtown friendly, safe and spotless. Connect with Downtown Norfolk on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit DowntownNorfolk.org.