Artstreet is a local arts festival held annually in the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The inaugural event took place over two days on the downtown streets – August 28-29, 1982 – through the support of the Northeastern Wisconsin Arts Council Inc. (NWACI) and other contributors.
The idea of a large arts council-sponsored event was considered from the Arts Council’s conception in 1978 and was formally enacted as an official event in March 1981. A planning committee was established shortly thereafter, consisting of council members and volunteers, reporting to the NWACI. Principal planners consisted of Polly O’Brien (director), Dean O’Brien, Bill Meindl, Sue Kraft, Dick Fosburgh, Maggie Collum, Julie Adelmeyer, Nan Nelson, and Dennis O’Donnell. Committee efforts culminated in a preliminary proposal in September 1981 and resulted in large-scale event planning and coordination among volunteers, vendors, businesses, and City of Green Bay. After numerous suggestions and accorded votes, the festival was named “Artstreet,” at the submission of Colin O’Brien, to reflect the spirit of the event and to offer a double meaning of “Arts Treat.”
Based on the Council’s original vision, Artstreet was a free event intended to promote and celebrate a wide range of performing and visual arts in the regional area. The outdoor street locations in downtown Green Bay were central to the original idea of Artstreet, as participants were to take part in various forms of art in non-traditional settings. These forms pertained to music, dance, theatrical and literary performances, specialty foods, cultural displays, and creative activities.
