From June 21-24, experience a celebration of creativity and compassion through interactive exhibits, discussions and more.

The inaugural By The People festival makes a welcomed, bold proclamation: “We believe that we are more alike than different, stronger together than apart and more connected than it may seem.” This empathetic credo is at the root of the all-new, Washington, DC-based event, unlike any other arts undertaking the city has ever seen.

The four-day fete attracts some of the modern art world’s top talents, who will put on performances and display works spanning various forms of media – paintings, projection, sculpture, drawings, design, dance and more. It also includes collaborations with local museums on and off the National Mall, as well as points of interest throughout the neighborhoods. Visitors can expect plenty of free ways to celebrate the festival, Instagram-friendly displays and interactive installations. Read on to learn why you should plan to attend the highly awaited first rendition of this annual festival.