The Carmel International Arts Festival (CIAF) is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is Educating the Community Through the Arts. The festival’s mission is carried out through a 2-day festival the last weekend of September in the Arts and Design District of Carmel, Indiana. With the 2 main arteries going through Carmel closed, CIAF brings in over 100 artists in 9 different mediums to provide the community with the finest samplings to purchase and take home. Each artist goes through a juried process to ensure their art is unique, not mass produced, and the highest of quality. The artwork is judged at the festival and awards are issued to the artists. Additionally the festival supports their mission through the awarding of several financial scholarships to local high school students. These scholarships are awarded based on artwork submitted to the student art show that is also presented during the festival.
What else happens at our festival? Each year, at Main Street and Rangeline Road we line the streets with artists from all over the country. On Saturday night the Arts & Design District will be rocking to the music of a popular, local band at what we call ART ROCKS!, the largest street party in the Art & Design District, from 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM. ART ROCKS! is a free, family-friendly, community event that you will not want to miss. Guests of the festival can enjoy some delicious food from one of the great restaurants on Main Street or make a selection from one of the many food and beverage vendors that are also at our Festival.
In the Young at Art section, children between the ages of two and twelve can do arts project on-site. They learn that art can be created anywhere at any time and in a variety of ways. Performances by cultural groups in the area are scheduled throughout the two days of the festival. These range from Chinese dragon parades to martial arts demonstrations to ethnic dance and music performances.
Our festival doesn’t happen without the generous contributions from businesses and individuals throughout our community. If you are interested in contributing to further the vital work of the Carmel International Arts Festival, a 501(c)(3) organization, your tax-deductible contribution will go directly to support the Carmel International Arts Festival programs and services we provide in educating the community in the arts, and student scholarships. We thank you for donating to the festival and thank you for your support of the arts! If interested in donating, please contact the Executive Director at: carmelartsfest@carmelartsfestival.org, or visit the Donate page