Our mission is to create an internationally renowned festival in New Haven of the highest quality with world-class artists, thinkers, and leaders, attracting and engaging a broad and diverse audience, celebrating and building community and advancing economic development. For 27 years, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas (“Arts & Ideas”) has inspired and delighted audiences with an annual program of over 200 performing arts and humanities events year-round, at least 80% of which are free. Focused events in June range from world and nationally-renowned speakers sharing the stage with critical local voices for discussions on democracy, to jazz concerts, theatrical performances, dance; takeout mixology classes; bike and walking tours; and live, individual performances by local on-call artists on front lawns and sidewalks throughout the area. Year-round programs include special town-hall events, a fellowship program for youth, planning and implementing mini-festivals in New Haven’s culturally-rich neighborhoods, participation in the NEA Big Read, and our annual Visionary Leadership Award program.