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Branches of Manchester Arts

Branches of Manchester Arts

Manchester Arts has seven action teams which cultivate community events throughout the year. All Manchester Arts events are free to attend and many are free to enter as artists.

ArtsFest

ArtsFest is an autumn celebration of local exhibiting visual artists, musical performers, and a variety of literary artists, enhanced by local food and drink vendors. Presented by Manchester Arts with support from the Missouri Arts Council, ArtsFest is a one-day arts festival located in Manchester's beautiful Paul A. Schroeder Park.

Manchester Community Band

More than 100 regional musicians of all ages and skill levels make up the Manchester Community Band, which performs three summer concerts on Sunday evenings, in Manchester's Schroeder Park Amphitheater. Food trucks, picnics, and family gatherings add to the fun evenings, as family pets, children, and seniors alike enjoy the music and the festive setting.

FOCUS Photography Exhibition

Manchester Arts' annual regional photo exhibition, FOCUS, is open to metro residents of all ages (5 and up) and skill levels, and annually attracts the work of 200 photographers. Nearly $2,000 in prizes are awarded in several age categories, and the event is supported by local sponsors and the Regional Arts Commission.

Performance Series

In addition to the summer community band concerts, the Performance Arts committee also presents a series of music, film, and dramatic performances in a variety of local venues. We are excited that many performances now occur in the historic second floor performance space at the 1894 Lyceum, which also houses Manchester's City Hall.

Public Art

We are proud to have transformed some of the mundane traffic signal control boxes located along busy Manchester Road, into vibrant works of art, and the latest such project involves painting utility boxes in Schroeder Park. A fun 'pop-up' art display at the city's Aquatic Center, and a sculpture loan park, are among the upcoming public arts initiatives.

Visual Art Exhibitions

An ongoing series of visual arts exhibitions and juried art shows are constantly on display upstairs in the 'Courtroom Gallery' at the Manchester Police Department and Courthouse. Representing a wide variety of art media, the exhibits represent the diverse and valuable artistic work by local and regional artists. Meet the exhibiting artists at one of our free opening receptions!

Arts Education

Volunteers and participants alike are inspired by our community arts outreach program that offers regular arts immersion experiences to the employees of Lafayette Industries, a local sheltered workshop. The education team hopes to soon offer art classes and 'art masters' workshops.