Big Four Arts Festival 2026

Overview

The Big Four Arts Festival is a two-day outdoor art fair at Louisville's Waterfront Park on the Big Four Bridge Lawn. Known for record crowds, proven multimedia marketing, and artist-friendly operations, the festival features a competitive cap of 195 juried artists and offers EZ in-out vehicle access, reserved parking, 24-hour security, light breakfast both days, booth relief, water delivery, and hotel discounts.

Key Dates

• January 1, 2026: Artist application period begins
• May 10, 2026: Artist application deadline @ midnight EST
• May 13–20, 2026: Artist jury process
• May 20, 2026: Accepted artists notified by email
• July 20, 2026: Deadline for accepted/waitlisted artists to accept invitation and pay booth fees; deadline for cancellations (total less $50 refund)
• August 15, 2026: Exhibitor packet and booth assignments sent; list of accepted artists posted to website
• September 11, 2026: Artist set-up 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• September 12, 2026: Festival opens 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• September 13, 2026: Festival open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; artist teardown starts at 5:15 p.m.

Eligibility

Open to individual and collaborating artists who make their own fine art and fine crafts by hand. All work must be original and made by the artist(s). Collaborating artists must both be present during both festival days with proper ID and may only show joint work with both names on all materials.

Media & Mediums Accepted

Oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, tempera, pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, photography (standard and digital), printmaking, stencil, ceramic/ceramic sculpture, fiber art, glass/glass sculpture, metal work/metal sculpture, jewelry, stonework/stone sculpture, woodworking/wood sculpture, 3D sculpture, leather, mixed media, textile, book arts/papermaking, instruments, and craft. Refer to "Medium Definitions" in the Prospectus at bigfourartsfestival.com for details. Contact 502-435-7602 if your work is not listed.

Application & Submission

• Applications processed through ZAPP; all applications posted after midnight EST May 10, 2026 will not be considered.
• Submit up to 3 applications per artist profile; each incurs a separate $35 fee.
• For each application, submit: 4 digital images (3 representative of work to be exhibited, 1 of booth—preferably outside shot), artist statement (300 characters or less describing material and technique), and price range. Images must not include identifiable markings or the artist.
• High-quality images are critical to jury selection.
• Jury is conducted by three experienced art community professionals based solely on image quality and artist statement. Jury decisions are final.

Jury & Acceptance

• Jury scheduled May 13–18, 2026
• Accepted artists notified by email or phone by May 20, 2026
• Waitlist artists notified by phone or email immediately after July 20, 2026; booth fees due within 20 days of notification for confirmation.
• Event Director may make up to eight additional acceptances to enhance festival quality and balance. Jury decisions are final and not subject to review.

Fees

• Jury/application fee: $35 per application (non-refundable)
• Booth fees due by July 20, 2026 for accepted and waitlisted artists who confirm
• Cancellation deadline: July 20, 2026 (refund of total less $50)

Contact

For application questions: 502-435-7602 or visit bigfourartsfestival.com.