Summer of the Arts mission is to build community in the Iowa City Area, to experience, learn about, and enjoy free arts and cultural programming.
Summer of the Arts Presents
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Iowa Arts Festival
Enjoy the visual arts, live music, kids’ activities, great food and more at this award-winning festival in downtown Iowa City each June.
Iowa City Jazz Festival
Internationally renowned jazz musicians perform alongside some of the most talented musicians in Eastern Iowa on two stages for a weekend full of good vibes, sights, sounds, flavors and more.
Friday Night Concert Series
The Ped Mall in the heart of downtown Iowa City comes to life Friday nights May through September with a wide variety of performers from Eastern Iowa featuring all kinds of genres from bluegrass to rock to jazz and hip hop.
Free Movie Series
What’s better than kicking back under the stars on a warm summer night to enjoy a family friendly movie on our big screen in your neighborhood park?
Music on the Move
Featuring some of the Iowa City area favorites, Music on the Move visits a wide range of parks around the Iowa City area providing a more intimate performance Tuesdays throughout the summer.
Rhythms at Riverfront Crossing
One Saturday a month from May – September, one of Iowa City’s largest parks will come to life with live music from some of the area’s most popular bands along with kids’ activities, food vendors and adult beverages.
Holiday Thieves Market
Continuing a 50+ year tradition, the Holiday Thieves Market is a fine Art Show happening in early December and featuring around 85 artists from around the Midwest for all of those perfectly unique gifts.
Be Inspired! Get Involved.
A Big THANK YOU to Keystone IT! We’re so grateful to our friends at Keystone IT for their incredible support of Summer of the Arts!
Their expertise ensures that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly, keeping our technology and systems in top shape so we can focus on bringing amazing arts experiences to the community.
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A big THANK YOU to our friends at The Mighty 1630 KCJJ Radio for their continued support of Summer of the Arts!
Not only do they run promos for our events, but they also welcome our Executive Director, Lisa Barnes, into the studio weekly throughout the summer to chat with Jim Hunter and Captain Steve about what’s happening each weekend. We’re so grateful for their partnership and dedication to keeping the community informed and engaged!
📸: Jim Hunter
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KCJJ is the worst!
A Warm Welcome to Tyesha Perry!
We’re excited to introduce Tyesha Perry, one of the newest members of the Summer of the Arts Board!
Tyesha is a realtor with Skogman Realty and Project Director at RSFIC (Resilient Sustainable Future for Iowa City). She co-founded Kick-It Iowa City and brings expertise in marketing, event planning, and community engagement to the board.
Favorite Festivals:
Soul Fest and Jazz Fest, which hold a special connection to her roots in St. Louis, where art, music, and fashion were key elements of community bonding.
Tyesha is eager to help create accessible events that celebrate diversity and bring the Iowa City community together.
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15 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great addition!
Congratulations 🎊
Fantastic addition!!! Tyesha’s awesome! ❤️❤️
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#TBT to the Iowa Arts Festival – ABC’s: Arts, Books & Children! 🎨🎈
We’re taking a trip down memory lane to one of our favorite summer traditions.
It’s always a joy watching families explore creative activities, discover the magic of books, and celebrate the arts together. From face painting to storytime, these moments remind us of the power of art to bring people of all ages together.
As we gear up for 2025, we’re excited to bring even more family-friendly fun to the festival this year. Stay tuned for updates on what’s to come – summer will be here before we know it! 🌞
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Meet Our New Board Members! 🌟
We’re thrilled to welcome the newest additions to the Summer of the Arts Board! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting each of them. Help us give them a warm welcome!
Adam Kahler
Adam, a long-time Iowa City resident, brings leadership experience and a passion for the arts to our board. As a hobbyist photographer, he values how art, theatre, and music unite communities.
Favorite Festival:
The Iowa Arts Festival, where Adam enjoys supporting local artists and spending time with his family. He shares, “My middle son, Mason, has purchased a piece of art from Nick and asks every year if Nick will be returning so he can add to his collection.”
Adam is excited to bring his marketing expertise to the board and help these beloved community festivals thrive!
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7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Adam and what a good fit! Enjoy! 🌟
Congrats, Adam!
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Welcome to 2025! Meet our new board members and learn more about what's happening this week! conta.cc/3DMJ3Ww ... See MoreSee Less
Welcome to 2025!
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Email from Summer of the Arts Summer of the Arts January 7, 2025 Hello Lisa, Happy New Year! It's a new year and you'll notice a new look to our logo and newsletters! Since this is our 20th year as a1 CommentComment on Facebook
Very excited for a new season!