WASHINGTON — Those who live in the D.C. area know that the region is brimming with creativity. The nation’s capital is home to a number of artists, musicians, writers and chefs.

But what is the city’s reputation like beyond the Beltway? Kate Goodall, chief executive officer of Halcyon, worries.

Halcyon, a nonprofit that supports socially engaged artists and social entrepreneurs seeking to address some of the world’s greatest challenges, is looking to blanket Washington with art during its inaugural By The People festival this month.

The Smithsonian Institution Arts and Industries Building (A&I) will serve as the headquarters and central hub for the inaugural By the People Festival, an international arts and dialogue festival taking place across Washington, D.C., Thursday, June 21, through Saturday, June 24. Presented by Halcyon, the four-day arts takeover was created to promote empathy and spark civil discourse.

"The Smithsonian will celebrate the first Saturday of summer— 'Solstice Saturday'—with free parties, programs and performances June 23. In addition to programs for adults and children, most Smithsonian museums will be open until midnight..."

"For Will Avila, walking around the District’s Brightwood neighborhood brings back memories of crime and neglect. His mother abandoned him at a McDonald’s when he was small; his father struggled with alcohol; the only sense of family he found was in a gang..."

"Which fun events should you go to around the D.C. area in June?"

Both legends in their own right, Case and LaMontagne are teaming up for a night of flourishing folk at The Anthem as the official kickoff to the inaugural run of Halcyon’s By The People Festival, an arts and dialogue festival “bringing people together around the themes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It’s a win-win for all involved. 

D.C. has been talking about BY THE PEOPLE, [the festival will]...include a little something for every art and civic minded Washingtonian.

At the inaugural By the People festival, created by the start-up incubator Halcyon, artists will cover the District with yarn (as in Stacy Cantrell’s yarn-bomb at the Parks at Walter Reed), light (Nick Cave’s “Untitled” projection at Washington National Cathedral), fabric (Chloe Bensahel’s installation at Union Market) and more in a series of installations and performances, most of them free.