The 2nd Connections art festival will be held at the newly restored Mill Hill Community Arts Center in Macon on April 21, 2018, and is partially supported by a seed grant by the Downtown Challenge. The all‐day arts festival will be free and open to the public, and will include: tables for artists, arts groups, and community organizations; performances by community arts groups as well as headliners; arts activities; food vendors and other entertainment. A featured artist curated show will be on display and an artists’ showcase with prizes is planned. Our goal is to have over 2,000 people participate in this community event. The mission of the festival is that a process of healing long‐ standing divisions in Macon can be brought about through inclusive arts and cultural activities. We have confidence that the arts can bring people together and creative community building is a key aspect of our mission. The arts community benefits by having an arts festival to showcase their work, and to show their work to communities not typically included in the downtown art gallery scene. We plan for the event to be a catalyst for forming ongoing partnerships between arts and community organizations and the residents of East Macon.  More information can be found on facebook under Connections Macon.