ArtWeek Boston Returns Today

ArtWeek Boston kicks-off its third edition today, September 26 - October 5, as collaborations between organizations and partners will take place through more than a dozen Boston neighborhoods, and outside the city, in Cambridge, Somerville and Lowell.

In keeping with the tradition established in the two previous editions, Fall ArtWeek will bring a full array of artistic and creative experiences, designed to involve, invigorate and ignite imaginations and interaction with audiences. Events will be offered for all audiences, including families, sleek sophisticates, young professionals, and cognoscenti, featuring global cultural experiences from free to $50.

A hot CD release party featuring live jazz, sizzling BBQ and fiery libations; a Wearable Art Extravaganza; an iconic experience at the 30th anniversary screening of the Talking Heads documentary "Stop Making Sense" with costumed participants and 80's karaoke; or a chance to exhibit your artwork along with Sidewalk Sam - these are one-of-a-kind experiences featured in this Fall's edition of ArtWeek.

Spring ArtWeek 2014 featured events ranging from welding and sand casting classes to a percussion performance in an ice bar; painting to live blues, to a tropical interpretation of the Fort Point channel; photos and couture hair-do to open rehearsals; music, dance, theatre, and public art. This second edition of ArtWeek demonstrated growth of more than double the size of the inaugural ArtWeek (Fall 2013) - more than 60 events and collaborations of more than 140 organizations and partners through 22 Boston neighborhoods, and outside the city, in Cambridge, Somerville, and Lowell.

The inaugural Fall ArtWeek 2013 featured uniquely popular events like Celebrity Series of Boston's "Play Me, I'm Yours!" street piano festival, a progressive dinner at Citi Center's historic theatres, and a Xylograph-Your-Xylophone date night workshop. The fall initiative involved over 60 organizations and partnerships that spanned 11 different neighborhoods.

"During the Spring ArtWeek, audiences experienced a vast range of cultural experiences," said Joe Spaulding, CEO and President of Citi Performing Arts Center, in announcing the Fall 2014 dates. "They took Capoeira classes to live music; they experienced a rare, open rehearsal at Emmanuel Music; joined "Fork and Tune," a dining experience that used an iconic pop album as inspiration for a 4 course meal; visited an art exhibition in a shipping container on the Rose Kennedy Greenway; and enjoyed the only classical music concert in Greater Boston dedicated to Latino composers! We are seeing that this new model works: collaborations between the creative community and area businesses create innovative experiences, spanning multiple disciplines, to neighborhoods throughout the city, and now to other cities."

The full schedule of Fall ArtWeek offerings will be available in early September at www.artweekboston.org

ArtWeek is designed to rapidly become a new Boston tradition as well as a model for statewide and national expansion. In July 2014, ArtWeek was highlighted by Americans for the Arts as an innovative national model as part of its 'Profiles in Creativity' series, reinforcing the power of ArtWeek as a new Boston tradition.

In May 2013, ArtPlace America awarded a $151,368 grant to Citi Performing Arts Center in support of ArtWeek. It was chosen from over 1,200 applications nationwide as an exceptional example of creative placemaking.

ArtWeek is presented by Highland Street Foundation, produced by Citi Performing Arts Center, and supported by ArtPlace America. ArtWeek is also proud to collaborate with major media partners including WCVB-TV and MeTV, the Metro, and Greater Media (including radio stations Magic 106.7, Country 102.5, HOT 96.9. 92.9 WBOS, and WROR 105.7), Improper Bostonian, Titan Cares, and NECN Media. Other supporters include the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, FluidReview, CO Everywhere, Long Haul Films, and W Boston. All ArtWeek partners are passionately committed to enlivening and enriching creative communities for both residents and visitors in the City of Boston and beyond, and in continuing to build Boston and Massachusetts' reputation as exciting places to be.

Fall ArtWeek Boston is September 26 - October 5, 2014. For a full schedule and more information, visit www.artweekboston.org.