The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival is an arts program held each July in Fairbanks, Alaska. Founded in 1980, it offers about 200 workshops and more than 100 events per season across music, dance, visual arts, and other disciplines [1].
| Location | Fairbanks, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Timing | Each July |
| Founded | April 1980 |
| Founders | Jo Ryman Scott and Edward Madden |
| Attendance | Nearly 10,000 people (per the festival) |
History
The festival website states that it was founded in April 1980 by Jo Ryman Scott and Edward Madden. It began as a one-week event called Jazz Festival 80 and became the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in 1982 [1].
Programs
The festival runs each July and reports drawing nearly 10,000 people. Its programs cover music, dance, visual arts, healing arts, culinary arts, creative writing, and theatre, with about 200 workshops and over 100 events per season. Genre coordinators oversee areas including opera and musical theater, gospel choir, cabaret, jazz, book arts, marimba, steel pans, and visual arts [1].
Leadership
The festival lists Susan Rice as executive director, hired in March 2025. Former executive directors include Terese Kaptur (2009 to 2017) and James Menaker (from 2017) [1].
FAQs
When is the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival? Each July [1].
Who founded it? Jo Ryman Scott and Edward Madden, in April 1980 [1].
What does it offer? About 200 workshops and over 100 events per season in music, dance, visual arts, writing, theatre and more [1].
Sources
Key facts
- Founded in 1980
- Renamed Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in 1982
Quick checkWhen was the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival founded?Show answer
It was founded in April 1980 by Jo Ryman Scott and Edward Madden.
Sources
- Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. About the Festival (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue