Art Beat festival to showcase Michiana artists of all mediums on August 9

The streets of South Bend are set to transform into a canvas of vibrant creativity on Saturday, August 9, for the highly anticipated Art Beat presented by Everwise Credit Union. Over 500 artists and 250 art booths of all mediums will be showcasing their performing, visual, and culinary creations during the festival, allowing the community to enjoy the afternoon and celebrate local creatives.

“It’s a magical event that celebrates our local art. Art is for everybody, and I think Art Beat is a great way to communicate that,” said Downtown South Bend (DTSB) Senior Director of Events Kylie Carter. “We have something for everybody at Art Beat, whether it’s the many different kinds of art or interactive opportunities. We also have performance art, and everybody’s favorite is the culinary art. It’s a very accessible event, free to the public, and we encourage everyone to come out and have a great time.”

The South Bend area is flourishing with artists, and Art Beat has been giving each a chance to have a moment in the spotlight for over two decades. The event only accepts artists from St. Joseph and surrounding counties, meaning Michiana is always at the forefront of Art Beat. This allows each artist to connect with people in the communities in which they live and work, adding a unique layer of connection that goes far beyond observing pieces of art during the festival.

“As you walk through the crowd, you can see everybody smiling, laughing, and talking. Art Beat has this really joyous vibe, and that human connection is my favorite part of it all,” Carter said. “Especially coming out of COVID-19, having events that build your community and let you see your neighbors or people you haven’t seen in forever are huge. I think it’s a great platform for people to connect, and I think art helps to bring them all together.”

While DTSB spearheads the event as its host, the festival would not be complete without the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, and others who all come together to paint the full Art Beat picture. DTSB extends its gratitude to everyone involved, acknowledging their contributions that ensure Art Beat remains accessible to everyone each year.

“We’re a nonprofit and not a city entity, so we don’t use taxpayer money from our community,” Carter said. “These sponsorships are critical for this event to happen, especially because we keep the entry cost low to make it accessible for everyone. We don’t charge the people who come to enjoy the event, and artists are only charged a small entry fee that’s significantly lower compared to other festivals. We really try to get the additional funds to put on the event from our sponsors so that our starving artists are not starving.”

A proud supporter of Art Beat since 2018, Everwise Credit Union is looking forward to returning again this year as the presenting sponsor. Creativity, culture, and connection – values at the core of Art Beat’s mission – exemplify Everwise’s commitment to the community perfectly, and the team is excited to help uplift local artists during one of South Bend’s most vibrant and colorful days of the year.

“We’re looking forward to all of it – the energy, the art, the music, the food – but most of all, we’re excited to connect with the Michiana community in such a dynamic setting,” said Trisha Smith, VP, Marketing at Everwise. “From live jazz and African drumming to handcrafted pottery and interactive art stations for kids, Art Beat has something for everyone. It’s truly a celebration of local creativity, and we’re happy to be part of it.”

With summer winding down soon, a trip to visit the artistic talent in South Bend is just the way to wrap up the season before the weather cools down and kids go back to school. As one of the biggest events in the city, there’s never a shortage of things to do during Art Beat, and the DTSB team is excited for everyone to see just how alive creativity is in the heart of the city.

“It’s eye-opening to see all of the talent we have here. Art Beat allows people to get a new appreciation for where we live and the people that live here with us,” Carter said. “I think it’s good for people to know how cool our community is. I think there can be a negative perception in the sense that there’s nothing to do here, but there’s so much to do. There is a ton of arts and culture, and Art Beat is a great way to change that story.”

Art Beat is quickly approaching, but volunteer opportunities are still open. Positions for individuals and groups include an info booth volunteer, stage manager, scene host, kid beat volunteer, community art project volunteer, waste watcher, set-up volunteer, and tear-down volunteer. All volunteers will also receive a commemorative Art Beat T-shirt.

“We encourage everyone to come out on Saturday, August 9, and join us on the Jefferson Bridge and East Bank for this incredible event,” said Smith. “Be sure to stop by the Everwise booth to meet our team, say hello, and get entered into our contest for a chance to win tickets for you and your loved ones to enjoy a game from the Everwise South Bend Cubs Suite!”

Art Beat will begin Saturday morning at 11 a.m. EST and run through 7 p.m. EST that evening. To stay up to date on the event before you go, including frequently asked questions, vendor information, and more, visit downtownsouthbend.com/art-beat.