Manifest Arts Festival

Manifest Arts Festival

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Manifest is Columbia College Chicago’s student driven event that showcases graduating student work. Manifest: A Student POWERED Festival.

Columbia College Chicago's Manifest Urban Arts Festival celebrates the next generation of artists and creative professionals. Each year, the festival offers an explosion of dance, music and art performances. If you're interested in any of these artistic expressions, this festival is not to be missed. We are free and open to the public. Come celebrate the next generation of emerging artists and creative professionals within the Chicago community!

04/17/2026

COLUMBIA KALEID-ING | Episode 3: Grace Butt ⭐

Grace Butt is a BFA Dance Major with 2 pieces showcasing this semester titled Anxieties of Becoming and The Crown.

04/10/2026

Students, what are you waiting for?? Students of all majors, and years are eligible to be featured on our video series! 👏Our application is easy!

1. Visit https://forms.office.com/r/HaFtMperpu
2. Fill out the required fields so we can learn the most about you
3. Submit a 2-3 minute video (either on your phone or a camera) promoting who who are, your work and what you’re looking forward to at Manifest 2026

And then submit! Our office edits the footage and takes care of the rest! 👍We are taking applications on a rolling basis until APRIL 30TH! Apply today!

For questions, email [email protected]

04/06/2026

COLUMBIA KALEID-ING | Episode 2: Dev Saxman ⭐

Wanna be featured on our page? 👀 Email [email protected] to apply to be in our next episode.

If you are a student graduating this semester or have work being showcased at Manifest, we want to hear your story!

04/06/2026

COLUMBIA KALEID-ING | Episode 1: Sara Elizabeth Ramsey ⭐

Wanna be featured on our page? 👀 Email [email protected] to apply to be in our next episode.

If you are a student graduating this semester or have work being showcased at Manifest, we want to hear your story!

03/13/2026

Students! This year, we want to hear from YOU!

In honor of our Manifest 2026 theme, Kaleidoscope, we are introducing an opportunity for graduating students to submit a 1-2 minute high-quality video sharing their journey as creatives for a chance to be featured on our new video series: COLUMBIA KALEID-ING

COLUMBIA KALEID-ING is a short video series produced by the Office of Student Activities to promote graduate students' multifaceted talent while promoting community engagement across every department on campus. If you are a student graduating this semester or your work is being showcased at Manifest, we want to hear your story! Videos produced in this series can be used as promotional materials on social media or included in portfolio work upon request by the selected students.

Whether you’re a film major who freelances in illustration, a fashionista who likes to DJ, a dancer who competes in sports, or any awesome combination in between, we want to show what makes YOU, YOU.

For more information and to submit your application, visit https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx...

We take applications on a rolling basis leading up to Manifest. For questions, email [email protected]

02/27/2026

Get ready for Manifest 2026: KALEIDOSCOPE ✨


Manifest is Columbia College Chicago’s student-driven event showcasing graduating students’ work. As an annual tradition and defining ritual, Manifest brings the entire community together to celebrate our creative spirit and develop long-lasting, memorable relationships and connections.

KALEIDOSCOPE calls attention to our unique self-expression and artistic collaborations. Through the films we direct, music we write, or fashion we wear, there are many creatives on campus with multifaceted, multilayered passions that overlap with one another.

Our KALEIDOSCOPE highlights the diversity within ourselves, our campus, and how we come together to create. In the coming months, you will see more information about Manifest events, activities, and department lead programs!

🗓️ Save the Date! Manifest will be Saturday, May 16.

To stay up to date with all things Manifest, make sure to follow on Instagram and Facebook! And be sure to watch out Engage portal for Manifest tagged events in the Engage Portal. Visit the link in our bio for more information.

Photos from Manifest Arts Festival's post 02/20/2026

Live music, freebies, signed posters from our Creative Director and a dance performance from Columbia’s Renegade Dance Team?! What’s not to love? We thank each and everyone one of our students, volunteers, and performers for making this Manifest Mixer such a success. To follow along with all things Manifest, be sure to follow us

See you next year!

02/19/2026

Meet the 2026 Creative Director, Sara-Beth Ramsey!

Sara-Beth Ramsey is a dedicated illustrator, filmmaker, and art director, born and raised in Cook County, Illinois. As the oldest of seven, she grew up in an unpredictable and boisterous environment. The relentless energy of her home life has fueled her playful art style, and her experience wrangling her family has honed her eye for intricate details.

The people she has met while attending Columbia College Chicago have also shaped and expanded her creative perspective. Her motivation for creation is defined by the people around her. As she graduates and begins her career, she hopes to help others appreciate the colorful chaos of their lives through her art and event-planning work.

Come meet Sara-Beth at the Manifest Mixer today between 2-4 and be sure to follow her and to stay updated on all things Manifest!

02/18/2026

The Manifest Mixer is happening TOMORROW! And you don’t want to miss it! ⭐️

Be the first to experience a Kaleidoscope of fun as we officially reveal this year’s branding and the Creative Director behind it. Let’s get ready for the 25th anniversary of the Manifest Arts Festival!

Here’s what to expect:

- Meet and connect with the new Creative Director as they reveal the 2026 brand theme 
- Get signed copies of the Official Manifest Poster
- Learn how to get involved and volunteer for Manifest
- Free snacks and drinks 
- Watch a live performance from the Columbia Renegades Dance Team 

Students of all years and majors are open to attend! Bring a friend and RSVP with the link in our bio! See you soon! 👋

03/17/2025

Feeling pretty lucky today ✨🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Check out our LinkTree for ways to get involved throughout the semester!

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Location

Address

754 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL
60605

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm