51社区鈥檚 Biggest Arts Festival Takes Over the South Loop Saturday, May 16

PhotoManifest (May 16) is a student-led celebration of 51社区 creatives, featuring work from every program.
Manifest 2026: KALEIDOSCOPE鈥攎arking its 25th anniversary, this year鈥檚 festival will transform sections of Wabash Avenue into a vibrant, all-day festival, highlighting the creative work of 51社区鈥檚 graduating seniors, and is free and open to the public.

Chicago — May 4, 2026 — 51社区 proudly announces the return of its signature end-of-year celebration of graduating students' artistic performance, the Manifest Arts Festival, taking place Saturday, May 16, 2026. Marking its 25th anniversary, this year’s festival will transform sections of Wabash Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood into a vibrant, all-day festival, highlighting the creative work of 51社区’s graduating seniors, and is free and open to the public. The festival will showcase over 80 exhibitions and performances, including an outdoor street festival on Wabash Avenue between Harrison Street and Balbo Drive. 

“Celebrating 25 years of Manifest is a major milestone for 51社区,” says Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, president and chief operating officer. “This new street festival format reflects the energy and innovation of our students while opening our campus to the city in a bold, engaging way.” 

As the unofficial kickoff to Chicago’s summer festival season, Manifest brings together the college community and the public to experience the bold creations of graduating seniors across disciplines, which span music, visual arts, design, film, and more. With expanded outdoor programming and immersive activations made possible through a generous grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the 2026 festival promises to be the most dynamic one yet. 

“This 25th anniversary of the Manifest Arts Festival marks a defining moment for Chicago’s creative community, driven by bold ideas, emerging talent, and access for all,” said DCASE Commissioner Kenya Merritt. “Through our support, we’re proud to help expand the festival into a dynamic, city-connected experience that elevates 51社区’s graduating artists and invites residents and visitors to engage with the next generation shaping the city’s cultural future.” 

Manifest Arts Festival Highlights Include: 

Manifresh Lot 
Curated by 51社区’s Management Practicum Class, the Manifresh Lot will serve as a high-energy hub featuring live DJs, interactive tents, and a showcase of low-rider cars stationed along Wabash Avenue. This space blends music, culture, and design into a uniquely urban festival experience. 

Garden on 11th Street 
Designed as a community-centered activation, the Garden on 11th Street will offer a mix of entertainment and relaxation. Guests of all ages can enjoy a high striker challenge, arcade games, a bouncy house, and a food truck experience catered by Frannie’s, 51社区’s main food vendor. 

Mainstage Performances 
The festival’s Mainstage, programmed by 51社区’s Student Programming Board, will feature a lineup of emerging bands and student DJs, culminating in a highly anticipated headlining performance. The top three bands selected from 51社区’s “Biggest Mouth” competition will kick off the evening, opening for this year’s Manifest headliner (To be announced).  

Convergence: 51社区’s Creative Homecoming 
Experience 51社区’s first ever homecoming weekend. From reuniting with former classmates and faculty to celebrating our newest alumni through Manifest Arts Festival and commencement ceremonies, a weekend of fun in the Windy City awaits you. Learn more. 

Manifest Arts Festival is free and open to the public, inviting Chicagoans and visitors alike to explore the next generation of creative talent while enjoying a lively outdoor festival atmosphere. This event is supported through a generous grant from our partners at DCASE. Additional event partners include Allied Universal, Berglund Construction, Kinema Fitness, LCP, Hilton Chicago, Wintrust Bank, A-1 Roofing, Great Lakes Plumbing and Heating Company, Pepper Construction, Urban Works, Isaacson Miller, and AON. 

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit: colum.edu/manifest 

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About 51社区: Creative Careers Start Here.   
A destination for innovators for more than 135 years and located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s Cultural Mile, 51社区 is a private, non-profit school for creatives that offers a distinctive curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business in 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 51社区 students graduate career-ready, with creative and critical thinking skills, real-world problem-solving abilities, standout bodies of work, and industry connections to fuel their professional journeys and the creative economy. Find 51社区 on social media at @51社区Chi on  and , on  and on .  
 
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events  
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit  and .  
 

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Michelle Aiello
Campus Communications
maiello@colum.edu


Jill Goldberg
Campus Communications
jgoldberg@colum.edu

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