Cottonwood Art Festival Spring 2027

Overview

The award-winning Cottonwood Art Festival is a premier juried art show featuring approximately 200 talented artists showcasing their work in a beautiful lakeside setting at Cottonwood Park in Richardson, Texas, just minutes from Dallas. Recognized as one of the nation's top fine art festivals with a rich history spanning more than 58 years, Cottonwood attracts a vibrant and culturally diverse audience of art collectors, enthusiasts, and families. The festival offers live music on two stages, a Friday evening gala for artists and guests, and an interactive children's art area.

Key dates

• Application Available: August 31, 2026
• Application Deadline: December 8, 2026
• Jury: Starting January 4, 2027
• Notifications Emailed: January 26, 2027
• Deadline to confirm participation/pay booth fee: February 23, 2027
• Cancellation for Refund Deadline: March 9, 2027
• Deadline to submit Artist agreement and insurance documents: April 3, 2027
• Festival: Saturday, May 1, 10a–7p; Sunday, May 2, 10a–5p

Application requirements

Submit 5 images total: 4 images of your work and 1 booth image. Images are viewed remotely and online as submitted. Artists must provide artist statement information. Artists may apply in different media categories, but not with the same body of work; those with distinctly separate bodies of work within one medium must apply with multiple applications.

Jury process

Approximately 190 spots available for applicants. The jury is composed of 5 paid jurors: 2 artists and 3 art industry professionals. In the blind jury process, artists are evaluated on a scale of 1–10 in the first round to establish a ranked pool within each category. Top scorers advance to a second round (scored 1–10), followed by a third round encouraging discussion where jurors may revise scores. Top scorers in each category receive invitations; the festival director may invite up to 10 additional artists at their discretion. A waiting list of alternates is maintained based on scores. All work must be original and created by the applying artist.

Fees and booth information

• Application/Jury Fee: $35
• Booth Fee: $500 single booth, $1,000 double booth (limited availability)
• Electricity: $100 per booth
• Estimated booth space: 13' x 13'
• Artists retain all revenue from sales and are responsible for state and local sales tax

Booth requirements

Artists are required to be present at their assigned booth throughout the entire duration of the festival. Tents must be clean, WHITE, commercial or professional grade, fire-retardant, with at least 40 pounds of weight securely fastened on each corner and stabilizing maneuvers providing maximum safety. In-ground stakes (straight or hammer-driven) are not permitted without additional weights. Artists are not permitted to use cheaply made, lightweight, accordion-style pop-up tents.

Artist amenities

• Two-day set-up schedule
• Artist set-up and take-down assistance by local Boy Scout Troop
• Exclusive Friday night Artist and Festival VIP dinner with full catering, drinks, and entertainment
• Designated Artist Hospitality Area with continental breakfast, afternoon snacks, chilled water, and private restroom
• Responsive website and integrated social media campaign with 35,000+ followers
• Event Guide for patrons with map, artists' names, and booth locations
• Complimentary Festival T-Shirt for exhibiting artists
• Fully staffed artist relations team available for load-in/out and booth sitting
• Comprehensive emergency/evacuation plan with 24-hour weather monitoring
• 24-hour security and City of Richardson Police presence
• Discounted hotel rates at designated locations
• Free admission and free parking for all attendees

Contact information

• Website: cottonwoodartfestival.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Contact: Dianna Lawrence, CFEE, Festival Director
• Phone: 972-744-4580
• Mailing Address: 2100 E. Campbell Rd, Suite 100, Richardson, TX 75081