Artists, engineers and dreamers came together Sept. 26–28 for IngenuityFest 2025, where the past and future collided inside the city’s creative hub, IngenuityLabs.

The annual festival, presented by Ingenuity Cleveland, transformed its headquarters at 5401 Hamilton Ave. into a maze of color, sound and motion. This year’s theme, “Forging the Future,” honored Cleveland’s industrial heritage while spotlighting innovation through art and technology.

“It was super fun — there were so many interactive things to do and so many cool people to meet,” said Grace Salter, one of the many attendees. “Some of my favorite parts included the rock-climbing wall and the amazing artwork.

The mission of Ingenuity Cleveland, a nonprofit organization, is to “ignite the spark of creativity among artists, entrepreneurs and innovators of all types through joy and collaboration, in service to civic progress,” according to its Instagram biography. The three-day event brought that mission to life with six performance stages, hands-on workshops and visionary installations that blended industry with imagination.

Throughout the weekend, visitors experienced everything from aerial performances and spoken word to kid-friendly maker activities and live DJ sets. In one room, paper lanterns and glowing mushrooms lit up the ceiling. In another, attendees stepped into holographic “body boxes” that mirrored their reflections in 3D.

“The festival was incredibly immersive, with each room offering something entirely new and unexpected,” said attendee Erin Sweeney, who attended as Morgan Alten’s guest on a press pass. “The live music was my favorite part — it really brought the whole atmosphere to life.”

Festivalgoers could also roller skate, play bumper cars and test interactive light games while exploring pop-up exhibits from local artists and engineers. The wood and ceramic shops showcased handcrafted pottery, wooden sculptures and inventive creations made by Cleveland makers.

Major support for the event came from the George Gund Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the Ohio Arts Council, the Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, and corporate partners including Swagelok, Thompson Hine, Case Western Reserve University, Turner, and Gilbane.

IngenuityFest has become a signature Cleveland event, attracting thousands of attendees each year to celebrate creativity and collaboration. The festival also serves as a launchpad for emerging artists and small businesses who find inspiration — and opportunity — within its community.

Clevelanders can stay involved year-round by volunteering, donating or becoming an Agent of Ingenuity. Ingenuity also invites the community to join its creative incubator, IngenuityLabs, or apply to exhibit and perform in future festivals. Local businesses can explore sponsorship or partnership opportunities by contacting Ingenuity Cleveland.