A festival of experimental music + art
September 12-14, 2025 • Olympia, WA
ism is a multi-day, multi-venue festival happening in Olympia, WA in September 2025. We showcase experimental music, film, and performance art. Our mission is to uplift underground and fringe creative communities through curated chaos and collaboration.
Stay tuned for lineup announcements. Events will take place across several downtown Olympia venues from Friday afternoon thru Sunday eve. Expect late nights, surprise sets, and immersive environments.
We're taking over art spaces, clubs, and unconventional locations. All are located in Downtown Olympia. A full venue map and access info will be published closer to the event.
Want to be a part of ism? We're currently looking for experimental musicians, filmmakers + video, physical theatre, and movement artists. There is too much 'content' out there that is mainstreamed, corporate, and/or humdrum. For ism, bring something weird, strange, edgy, unusual, dramatic, or earth-shattering. As long as it doesn't harm the audience (or the venue), we are into it. New or unlikely collaborations highly encouraged. So if you want to perform, just have an idea, or a question - drop us an email at the link below.
Want to help out or perform? Reach out to us at ism-oly@proton.me. We welcome artists, volunteers, and visionaries of all stripes.
You can buy a pass for the entire festival. You may also pay at the door at any of the venues. Additionally, there will be some performances + venues that are free to all. Ism is a DIY, non-profit project. The ticket $ collected helps to bring traveling artists to Olympia, covers venue costs, and stipends to artists. Buying a pass in advance is vastly appreciated. It helps make ism a reality. (Ticket cost and purchase info coming soon.)
ism is a grassroots project — and we need your help to bring it to life. If you're interested in supporting us, whether through donations, gear, or resources, get in touch. More info about how to contribute coming soon.
Email us at ism-oly@proton.me
Follow us on Instagram at @ism_oly
Follow us on Instagram at @ism_oly