Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 2027
Submit a minimum of 4 images of your fine art or fine craft work for jury review to be considered for exhibition at this premier outdoor art festival.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 95 days left
- Entry fee
- $50
- Award
- Cash Prizes for Best in Show, 2nd, and 3rd Place; Ribbons for Best Booth and Museum of Fine Arts Houston Curatorial Award; jury-exempt status for two years for all winners
- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Exhibition window
- Apr 3, 2027 → Apr 4, 2027
- Applicants notified
- Dec 14, 2026
About
Overview
Bayou City Art Festival Downtown is the nation's premier spring outdoor fine art event, located in the heart of Downtown Houston with a stunning backdrop of the Houston Skyline. The festival attracts 30,000+ annual attendees and has a demonstrated history of record sales for artists.
About the Festival
Produced by Art Colony Association, Inc. (ACA), the festival showcases exceptional art from across the country. Twice a year, more than 1,000 artists apply to be reviewed by ACA jurors, with only selected artists invited to exhibit. Collectors can meet artists face-to-face, experience original works, and purchase world-class art.
19 Fine Art/Fine Craft Categories
- Clay
- Digital (not photography)
- Drawing/Pastel
- Fiber/Textiles
- Functional Art (includes furniture, wearable art, etc.)
- Glass
- Jewelry
- Leather
- Metal
- Mixed Media 2D
- Mixed Media 3D
- Painting/Acrylic or Oil
- Painting/Watercolor
- Photography/Digital or Computer Manipulated
- Photography/Traditional Film (no machine enhancements)
- Printmaking/Intaglio, Relief and Planographic
- Emerge: Artists on the Rise
- Sculpture/3D - 1 medium (Clay, Glass, Metal, Stone or Wood)
- Wood (Decorative)
Jury Process
A panel of 5-7 jurors selected based on specific interests, professional knowledge, and background in the arts reviews submissions. Work is scored on a 1 to 7 scale. All five slides (four shots of the work and one booth shot) are projected simultaneously. Jurors have access to the artist's statement but are not shown the artist's name or identifying information. Please do not include your name or identifying information in submitted images.
Awards
- Cash Prizes for Best in Show, 2nd, and 3rd Place
- Ribbons for Best Booth and Museum of Fine Arts Houston Curatorial Award
- All winners receive jury-exempt status for two years
- Awards announced during complimentary artist breakfast Sunday, April 4, 2027
Artist Services
- Designated parking
- Laminated booth signs
- Exhibitor identification badges
- Booth sitters
- Hotel special rates
- 24-hour security during the Festival, beginning 1 day prior to the event
- Water, snacks, and other refreshments provided during festival hours
- Complimentary patron art pickup for large artwork during festival hours
Key Dates & Details
- Application deadline: November 29, 2026
- Artist notification: December 14, 2026
- Event dates: April 3-4, 2027
- Location: Sam Houston Park & Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas
How to Apply
- Application fee: $50
- Minimum 4 images required
- Award
- Cash Prizes for Best in Show, 2nd, and 3rd Place; Ribbons for Best Booth and Museum of Fine Arts Houston Curatorial Award; jury-exempt status for two years for all winners
- Theme
- A premier spring outdoor fine art festival showcasing fine art and fine craft across 19 categories, from painting and sculpture to jewelry and functional art.
- Eligibility
- Open to fine artists and fine craftspeople from across the country.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.