ART IN THE CITY

Discover the visual and performing arts experience in downtown Dayton at Art in the City, presented by AES Ohio!

Watch this space for information about the 2025 Art in the City event.

Art in the City’s full day of offerings include a variety of Dayton’s best artistic talent – from painting and drawing to spoken word, poetry, and dance – all together filling the streets of downtown Dayton and multiple stages with:

– NEW THIS YEAR! The Great Dayton Cake Off

– Live performances (dance, theater, music & more)

– Live demonstrations (painting, sculpting, and other art-making)

– Hands-on & interactive activities

– Art Full Circle: A Fine Arts Showcase in the Dayton Arcade

– Pop-up performances

– A local Art Bazaar

– “Chalk Walk” featuring chalk artwork from local artists

– A Family Zone with art activities for kids and families

– A Juried Art Show
   (sponsored by Dayton.com and the Dayton Society of Artists)

Artists – Apply Now to Be Part of Art in the City!

Musicians / Bands

Are you a musician or band? Do you want to perform, lead an interactive activity, teach a class or beginner lesson, do a pop-up performance, rove throughout the footprint, perform outside a business for a Party on the Patio, etc? Applications due May 18, 2025.

Performing Arts

Are you a Performing Artist? (Such as Dance, Comedy, Theatre & Drama, Flow, Magic, Puppetry, Spoken Word, Poetry, Storytellers, etc.) Would you like to perform on stage or a pop-up, lead an interactive activity, teach a class or beginner lesson, rove throughout the footprint, apply for an Experiential Art Grant & more? Applications due May 18, 2025.

Visual Arts

Are you a Visual Artist? (Such as painting, drawing, chalk art, printmaking, caricatures, face paint, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, live art, textiles, pottery, wood or metal work, etc.) Would you like to showcase a live demo, lead an interactive activity, teach a class or beginner lesson, participate in the Chalk Walk, apply for an Experiential Art Grant, vend at the Art Bazaar (see below for vendors), & more? Applications due May 18, 2025.

Art Bazaar Vendors

Would you like to vend at the Art Bazaar? Our vendors include photographers, jewelry artists, potters, woodworkers, glass artists, metal art, leather work, fiber arts, paintings, and a variety of other unique crafters. Please note, registration is for artists/crafters only. Applications due June 15, 2025.

New this year: The Great Dayton Cake Off

Calling All Cake Crafters! Do you have what it BAKES to win?? Show off your edible masterpieces and creative decorating skills at our first ever The Great Dayton Cake Off. Submit your cake idea to the DDP team for a chance to be selected as a baker that will go head-to-head in a confectionery competition to be crowned Dayton’s Best Cake Artist with a chance to win prizes! All ages & skill levels are welcome. Applications due May 25, 2025.

Experiential Art Grant Program

Do you have a BIG idea? We’re seeking bold, innovative artists for this year’s Art in the City. 
Downtown Dayton is an atypical Midwest city – a vibrant hub where creativity thrives, technology ignites art, and the unexpected is celebrated. We need your help bringing this narrative to life. Grants of $500-$2,500 will support visual, immersive, and performing arts projects. Preference will be given to works that push boundaries and actively engage a large number of attendees. Additionally, the use of technologies, including projections, touchscreens, and/or VR/AR are also encouraged. Help shape Dayton’s narrative and show the world our atypical Midwest spirit.