Chicago's Creative Youth Festival Showcases Young Artists Sept. 22

Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have designated 2018 as the Year of Creative Youth - a citywide celebration of Chicago's young artists and the mentors who inspire them. Presented by Allstate Insurance Company, the Year of Creative Youth showcase event will be at the city's first Creative Youth Festival on Saturday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with dozens of free cultural events across the Millennium Park Campus including at Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph Street) and the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Street). For more information and the most up-to-date festival schedule, visit cityofchicago.org/YOCY.

Showcasing the talents of thousands of young artists in dance, theater, music, spoken word, the visual arts and more, the new Creative Youth Festival will include: performances and art exhibitions from youth groups across the city, on stages across Millennium Park and popping up at landmarks such as Maggie Daley Park and Cloud Gate; interactive mural painting; an open mic with DJs; family friendly and hands-on activities featuring artmaking, multimedia demonstrations and more. The Chicago Park District is bringing Teens in the Park's annual T.I.P. Fest to the festival in a special collaboration featuring youth winners from auditions taking place across Chicago parks all summer long. The day will conclude with a headlining concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, to be announced in the coming month.

Teens and young adults are invited to share their art, music and performances on social media with hashtag #BornCreative to be featured online and considered for the Creative Youth Festival on September 22. Follow the Year of Creative Youth and DCASE on Facebook (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events), Twitter and Instagram (@ChicagoDCASE) and Snapchat (ChicagoDCASE) #2018isYOCY #ChiCreativeYouth #BornCreative.

The Year of Creative Youth is presented by Allstate Insurance Company with grant support provided by The Chicago Community Trust and support from the Chicago Transit Authority.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.