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Get matched →For over 60 years, the Lakefront Festival of Art has been one of the nation's premier outdoor art festivals, bringing together exceptional artists and art enthusiasts on the spectacular grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum along the shores of Lake Michigan. The three-day festival showcases 150 professional fine artists across 15 disciplines and welcomes more than 16,000 attendees from throughout the region and beyond, rain or shine.
In 2027, the festival calendar offers artists the opportunity to participate in both LFOA and Chicago's Old Town Art Fair, with no date overlap between the two events.
New for 2027: A special VIP reception on Friday morning will welcome Museum patrons and collectors to the festival, creating additional opportunities for artists to connect with an engaged audience of art enthusiasts as the festival opens.
Presented by Friends of Art (FOA), a support organization of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Milwaukee Art Museum, net proceeds from this event are used by FOA for exhibitions and the acquisition of art for the Milwaukee Art Museum; to cultivate leaders and volunteers in support of the Milwaukee Art Museum; and to promote awareness and appreciation of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the visual arts.
2027 Lakefront Festival of Art
Friday, June 18 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday, June 19 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, June 20 10 AM – 5 PM
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
Online Application Due: December 14, 2026
Jury Day: January 8, 2027
Notification to Artists: January 15, 2027
Registration and Fee Due: February 19, 2027 (Nonrefundable after March 12, 2027)
Booth Assignments Released: April 9, 2027
Artist Load-In and Set-Up: Thursday, June 17, 2027
FEES
Non-refundable Entry Fee -- $45
Booth Fee -- $575
JURY PROCEDURE
A panel of three jurors select the show in a "blind jurying" process. Applications are grouped by media category. Within each category, applications are shown in random order.
Artists must submit a booth image along with their five art images. All six artist images (five art images and one booth image) are projected simultaneously onto a large wall screen three over three, appearing at a size of about 3' x 3'. Images are projected in the order submitted by the artist in their Zapplication, and will be reviewed simultaneously three separate times. Jurors may make general inquiries during this process, such as to artwork dimensions or materials used. Each artist's Technical Description is read aloud as that artist's work is projected for the first time during the jurying process.
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Complimentary continental breakfast on Friday and Saturday mornings
Catered Artist Awards Celebration breakfast on Sunday morning
Free snacks and water throughout the three-day festival
24-hour security patrolling the festival grounds
Free Milwaukee Art Museum admission
Load-in/out near booth space
Booth sitting available
Convenient parking options
SALES AND TAX INFORMATION
Artists retain all proceeds from their sales. Every exhibiting artist is required to obtain a WI sellers permit and is responsible for collecting and filing the appropriate sales tax (WI 7.9% sales tax). Information from the state of Wisconsin's Department of Revenue will be made available.
LFOA Jury Fee: $45.
Artist notification date: 2027-01-15.
Event dates: June 18, 2027 to June 20, 2027.
Location: Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Setting: outdoor.
Minimum 5 images required to apply.