MAC ArtFest Returns to Spokane with Art, Music, Food

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) is hosting its annual ArtFest this weekend, featuring more than 75 juried artists, live music, and family activities [1, 3]. The festival takes place on the museum campus in Spokane and offers attendees free admission to the museum’s current exhibitions with the purchase of a festival entry ticket [1, 2].

Key takeaways

• ArtFest runs Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31 on the MAC campus in Spokane [1, 2].
• Admission is $5 per person, capped at $20 for families of four or more, and includes entry to museum exhibitions [1, 2].
• More than 75 juried artists will display work across mediums including jewelry, painting, ceramics and mixed media [3, 5].
• The event features live music in the amphitheater, food trucks, a beer garden and a children’s art center [3, 5].

Art Displays and Museum Access

The festival showcases 75 juried artist booths, selected from a record pool of over 220 applications reviewed by a jury of staff and community members [5]. Art sales at the event benefit the artists directly, and a limited-edition poster designed by local artist Chris Bovey will be available for purchase [1, 2]. While promotional materials from the museum and participating artists describe the event as celebrating 41 years [3, 4], a recent newspaper report refers to it as the 40th anniversary [5].

Festival admission grants visitors free access to the museum, including new exhibitions such as "An Eye for Detail: European Paintings 1500–1900" and "America at 250: 25 Decades of Collected Memories" [1, 2]. The $5 entry fee is intended to cover essential costs, including 24/7 security for the artist booths and an increased number of musical acts [4, 5].

Entertainment and Dining

Live music will be performed daily in the museum’s amphitheater, with a lineup featuring local acts such as Based Fiasco, Spokane Taiko, Rosie CQ and Musha Marimba [5]. A beer garden will be available, offering BrickWest beer and Townshend Cellar wines [5]. Food trucks, including Bibby Booth, Cathay’s Cookies, MacDaddy’s Gourmet Grub and Mary Lou’s Ice Cream, will be located in the upper parking lot and are open to the public without requiring festival admission [5].

For families, the Make-It-Art Kids’ Project Center provides hands-on creative activities for children. Local artist Gloria Fox will guide the projects, which are available Friday afternoon and throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday [5].

Why it matters

ArtFest serves as a major fundraiser for the museum, with proceeds supporting art education, exhibitions and community programming for youth and adults [