fair

Columbus Arts Festival 2027

Submit original, handcrafted work in one of 16 categories (painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, digital art, 2D/3D mixed media, and others) for jury selection to exhibit and sell at the Columbus Arts Festival.

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Deadline: 88 days left
Entry fee: $40
Award: $20,000
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Exhibition window: Jun 11, 2027 → Jun 13, 2027
Applicants notified: Feb 9, 2027

Heads up: this show’s exhibition window can overlap other calls you enter - the same piece can’t hang in two places at once.Check conflicts →

About

Overview

The Columbus Arts Festival, in its 65th year and honored by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the top fine art and design festivals in the country, attracts hundreds of thousands of art patrons to Columbus' Downtown Riverfront. Produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Festival offers a vibrant atmosphere for artists to buy and sell original work and meet patrons face to face. The Festival also includes music, dance and theatre performances, a family-friendly arts area, and food vendors.

Festival Dates & Hours

Friday, June 11: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Festival ends at 9 p.m.)
Saturday, June 12: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Festival ends at 9 p.m.)
Sunday, June 13: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Festival ends at 5 p.m.)
Artists have the option to close at 8 p.m. but can remain open until the end of the festival

Key Dates

September 7, 2026: Artist applications available on www.ZAPPlication.org
December 11, 2026: Applications due
January 22-24, 2027: Jury selection
February 9, 2027: Notifications emailed to accepted, waitlisted, and not invited artists
February 10, 2027: Artists can log into Zapplication to purchase space and amenities
May 1, 2027: Booth assignments and other information available to artists
June 10, 2027: Artist set-up
June 11-13, 2027: Columbus Arts Festival on the Downtown Scioto Riverfront

Artist Amenities

Average festival sales: $10,000 (based on the 2026 Artist Survey)
Total Awards: $20,000 ($4,000 for Best in Show)
One parking space included in the artist parking lot at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (Oversized and additional vehicle parking available for purchase)
Complimentary bottles of water at all beverage booths (two bottles per artist offered at a time, unlimited visits)
5 amps of electricity included with each booth fee (Additional amps available for purchase)
Continental breakfast for artists at the Artists Services tent
Volunteer booth sitters available during all Festival hours upon request
Access to restroom area for artists and collaborators
All booths accessible by vehicles for set-up/tear-down and before show opens each day
Columbus Police monitor the festival site 24 hours a day
Snacks offered throughout the day by volunteer snack patrol
Ice available for purchase at $5.00 per bag at all festival beverage booths
Limited storage space available behind all booths
Marketing support includes paid television, radio, digital and social ads, plus earned media and public relations with local and statewide media

Contact

Direct any questions to [email protected]

Media accepted

acrylicceramicscharcoaldigitaldrawingfiberglassgouachejewelryleather

Award: Total Awards: $20,000 ($4,000 for Best in Show)
Also worth noting: Waitlist maintained
Waitlist: The organizer keeps one.
Contact: [email protected]

Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.