Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow the creative economy.

Artomatic was originally conceived as a way to break down the geographical and social segmentation of the Washington arts scene, to bring art directly to the public and to build cohesion among artists. Artomatic provides a forum for all of our area's artists to convene, perform and exhibit, strengthening the visibility, cohesion and marketplace of the arts community.

Artomatic began in 1999 in the historic Manhattan Laundry building in Washington, D.C. A dozen or so artists originally toured the empty building and within a month, 350 artists had cleaned, lit, painted and colonized its 100,000 square feet. Over 20,000 visitors attended the first Artomatic over six weeks.

From there, Artomatic grew organically as buildings were made available to Artomatic by community developers. Music and performance of all kinds were added. In 2000, 665 artists exhibited and 200 performed at the old Hechinger’s building; more than 1,000 artists and performers took part in 2002 at the Southwest Waterfront and even more in 2004 at the former Capitol Children’s Museum in Northeast. Artomatic was held in Virginia for the first time in 2007, occupying a former Patent and Trademark Office space in Crystal City, Arlington. It drew over 40,000 visitors.

In 2008, Artomatic was held in the NoMa neighborhood in Washington, D.C., attracting a record-breaking 52,500 visitors, more than any previous Artomatic event. In all, about 1,540 individual artists took part in Artomatic 2008 — also a new high. The total included 740 visual artists — such as painters, sculptors and photographers — who showed thousands of artworks. The event also included individual 800 performing artists, such as dancers, poets, theatre groups, drummers, comedians, fire troupes and musicians. Attractions incuded a full line-up of educational and children's events and an on-site tattoo parlor.

In 2009, Artomatic expanded its reach beyond its single event with the Art of Change ball, held to celebrate the 2009 inauguration, and the Luck of the Draw, a Valentine's weekend art event. Artomatic's main 2009 event will be held May 29-July 5 at Half Street’s 55 M Street, S.E., in D.C.'s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. This will be our 10th anniversary Artomatic, and our seventh main event.

The nonprofit Artomatic organization is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.