IngenuityFest 2024 Celebrating Two Decades of Creativity in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, OH — Ingenuity Cleveland is gearing up for a landmark celebration as IngenuityFest 2024: "Era of Ascent" takes place from September 27-29 at the Hamilton Collaborative in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. The annual festival, now in its 20th year of programming, continues its mission of igniting creativity among artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators, while promoting civic pride and community engagement.

Founded in 2004 by James Levin and Thomas Mulready, IngenuityFest was originally conceived as a movable festival that would breathe new life into downtown Cleveland by transforming underutilized spaces. From its inaugural event in Public Square, the festival has moved to numerous iconic locations, including the Detroit-Superior Bridge and Northcoast Harbor, before settling in St. Clair-Superior in 2016. Over the years, the festival has consistently attracted thousands of visitors with its unique blend of art, technology, and innovation.

Ingenuity Cleveland has a broader mission beyond its annual festival. It serves as a catalyst for revitalizing Cleveland through its year-round programming, which includes workshops, hackathons, entrepreneurship resources, and community development initiatives. IngenuityLabs, a key component of this mission, provides tools, resources, and a creative community for local artists and entrepreneurs. Since its founding, Ingenuity has played a significant role in supporting Cleveland’s maker movement and contributing to the city’s downtown renaissance.

“Ingenuity has always been about more than just the festival. It’s about fostering creativity and community year-round,” according to the organization’s mission statement. This dedication has led to the development of the Hamilton Collaborative, a creative and economic hub in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. The Collaborative, housed in the former Osborn Manufacturing Company, now welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually and engages more than 1,000 artists.

IngenuityFest 2024 will build on this legacy by showcasing hundreds of musicians, artists, and performers across six stages throughout the Hamilton Collaborative’s 300,000-square-foot space. Festivalgoers can look forward to immersive artwork, interactive installations, and innovative performances that highlight the intersection of art and technology.

This year’s theme, "Era of Ascent," reflects both the festival’s 20-year journey and its vision for the future. Attendees will experience three days of performances, including live music, dance, comedy, and fashion shows. The event will also feature the Tesla Orchestra, a long-time festival favorite, along with hands-on exhibits from local makers and innovators.

Some notable performances include Lauren Lanzaretta on Friday night at the Music Meadow Stage and the Crooked River Circus is teaming up with the Tesla Orchestra for a show called “Flight of Lightning” on the Terreract Stage. Saturday’s lineup features the Fashion Rocks Project and the Haute Ohio Fashion Show, alongside performances from Marcus Smith & the Rapscallions and Urban Heat. Sunday will close the festival with a more relaxed program, featuring acoustic performances and a Healing Arts Showcase.

Throughout its two-decade history, IngenuityFest has collaborated with a wide range of local institutions, including Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and NASA. The festival has become a symbol of Cleveland’s creative resurgence, helping to generate an estimated $4.5 million annual economic impact on the region, according to a report by Team NEO.

In addition to the economic benefits, Ingenuity has elevated Cleveland’s cultural profile by hosting unique events that combine cutting-edge technology with traditional art forms. Past festival highlights include NASA’s collaboration with DancEvert on a performance inspired by wind-tunnel technology and Phil Kline’s motion-sensing musical installation, “Symphony for 21 iPods.”

As the festival enters its 20th year, Ingenuity Cleveland remains committed to its core values of collaboration, curiosity, innovation, and joy. The organization’s programs, including the Ignite! entrepreneurship initiative and the Agents of Ingenuity Conversation Series, continue to serve a diverse audience and foster connections among Cleveland’s creative community.

Ingenuity’s focus on placemaking and community engagement extends beyond the festival itself. The Hamilton Collaborative, founded in partnership with local organizations, provides a low-barrier access point for artists and entrepreneurs looking to grow their careers. The Collaborative has also been involved in placemaking and community development initiatives, such as the Thrive! 105th-93rd Street Corridor project and the City of Shaker Heights’ Moreland Rising initiative.

Looking to the future, Ingenuity Cleveland’s strategic expansion of IngenuityLabs is aimed at increasing opportunities for Cleveland’s creative workforce. The festival and its year-round programming have helped build a vibrant network of artists, engineers, and innovators who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the intersection of art and technology.

For full event details, schedules, and more information on IngenuityFest 2024, visit the festival’s official website.