Launched in 2023 as a collaboration between Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, the festival has quickly become a signature summer event in Southwest Washington
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival has received the Spotlight Award for Best Special Event from the Washington Recreation and Parks Association, recognizing the festival’s outstanding contributions to arts access, community building and economic impact.
Launched in 2023 as a collaboration between Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, the festival has quickly become a signature summer event in Southwest Washington. The event brings together tens of thousands of attendees each year for a weekend of free music, dance, visual arts, family activities and cultural programming.
Held in downtown Vancouver’s Esther Short Park, the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival features a dynamic mix of live performances, art exhibits, pop-up galleries and hands-on workshops. Visitors can enjoy programming from local, regional and internationally recognized artists across multiple outdoor stages, while exploring art and food vendors, interactive demonstrations and educational opportunities designed for all ages and abilities.
“This award is an incredible honor and a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Vancouver Cultural Services Manager Stacey Donovan. “The Vancouver Arts & Music Festival reflects our city’s vibrant arts scene and strong sense of community. We are especially grateful to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, our founding partner, and to the Vancouver Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission for their unwavering support.”
Created to remove barriers to arts access, the festival provides a platform for diverse cultural expression while boosting the local economy. Organizers have prioritized sustainability and inclusion from the beginning, offering free admission, multilingual programming, accessibility accommodations and environmentally conscious event management practices.
The 2025 Vancouver Arts & Music Festival returns to Esther Short Park July 31 to August 3 with a new lineup of world-class performers, interactive arts programming and community celebration. Admission is free and all are welcome.
For more information, visit www.vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com.
Information provided by the city of Vancouver.
Also read:
- POLL: Should councilors serving on boards be required to vote the way the full council decides?
A new poll asks whether Clark County councilors serving on boards should be required to vote in line with the full council’s position or retain independent judgment. - Ninth Circuit revives claims against prosecutor who personally swore to warrant affidavit containing alleged false statements
The Ninth Circuit ruled that prosecutorial immunity does not apply when a prosecutor personally swears to alleged false statements used to obtain an arrest warrant. - VIDEO: Washington lawmakers clash over bills directed at limiting ICE officers
A heated House committee hearing on legislation aimed at limiting ICE officers in Washington was temporarily recessed after sharp exchanges between lawmakers over testimony and procedural disputes. - Stung by a court ruling, WA looks to clarify what is an ‘election’
Washington lawmakers are moving to clarify the legal definition of an election after a court overturned a felony conviction for voting in both Washington and Oregon on the same day. - Opinion: Olympia wants a 4-day work week. It won’t work out as the politicians think it will
Mark Harmsworth argues that House Bill 2611’s proposed 32-hour workweek would raise costs, strain small businesses, and undermine Washington’s economic competitiveness. - Republicans celebrate school choice in US Senate hearing, while Dems question fairness
Republicans and Democrats clashed during a U.S. Senate hearing over school choice, with supporters praising expanded options for families and critics warning the policies could deepen inequities in public education. - Opinion: The many reminders not to speed
Doug Dahl examines the many technological and policy-based reminders aimed at reducing speeding and explains why most drivers still choose not to use them voluntarily.
Re: Vancouver Arts and Music Festival 2023 and 2024.
There’s more to the story than what the city put out forward in the article. There was an art organization, Columbia Arts Network (CAN) that put together both the 2023 and 2024 visual arts portion of the festival without financing from the Murdock’s or, with the exception of the large tent, the city of Vancouver. CAN laid the groundwork for any subsequent visual arts event and it would make for an interesting article to interview some of the principals from that group and get a different perspective on the festivals.