Big Four Arts Festival 2027

Permitted Works and Mediums
The Festival is 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/collaborating artist; any subsidiary reproduction works must strictly adhere to the rules described in "Reproductions" below. We accept the following mediums:rn
Oil
Pastel
Acrylic
Pencil
Pen and ink
Charcoal
Ceramic/ceramic sculpture
Fiber Art
Glass/glass sculpture
Jewelry
Metal work/metal sculpture
Other
Photography (standard and digital)
Printmaking
Stencil
Stonework/stone sculpture
Instruments
Book arts/papermaking
Woodworking/wood sculpture
3d sculpture
Acrylic
Craft's vendor
Leather
Mixed media
Pencil
Tempera
Textile
Watercolor
Please refer to the expanded "Medium Definitions" in the Prospectus at bigfourartsfestival.com for detailed descriptions of each medium. If you believe that your work would enhance the quality of our festival and is not listed, we ask that you contact us. 502-435-7602. We will consider any new, creative, quality expression made by hand.

Entry/Application Instructions
A rtist applications are processed through ZAPP. All applications posted after 12:00 a.m. midnight EST May 10, 2027 may not be considered. We reserve the right to refuse any application after said date. You may submit up to 3 applications per artist profile (each application will incur a separate $35 fee). Any application questions please call: 502-435-7602 .

​For an application to be processed, you must fully complete and submit the online application, including four digital images as specified below, and the $35 non-refundable payment through Zapp using an accepted credit card or Pay Pal. Follow Zapp guidelines and quality specifications for uploading images. Please submit high quality images, as they are critical to the jury selection process.

​ ​ IMAGES
All artists must submit a total of (4) images for jurying 3 images (representative of the artist work to be exhibited); 1 of booth (preferably an outside shot of the booth.) Do not submit images with any identifiable markings or of the artist themselves, which would compromise the jurying process.

ARTIST STATEMENT
​The application will have a field for the artist description of material and technique using 300 characters or less. Please provide a balance between inspiration, material, and technique. Statements are read to jurors during the process. Please submit a well-written statement, as portions will also be posted on our website and Facebook page to promote your works!

PRICE RANGE
​ ​We expect and encourage artists to offer a varied price range. We ask that the images you submit represent the price range you will display at the Festival.

​JURY PROCESS
Jury is scheduled for May 12th - 18th, 2027. The jury will select a balance of mediums but we do not impose limits for any given category. The integrity of the jury panel review process is of the greatest importance to the Festival and to the larger arts community. Jury decisions are final and not subject to review. The jury is conducted by a panel of three experienced art community professionals and their selections will be based solely upon the quality of work as illustrated in submitted digital images. Images are viewed by medium categories, and artist statements are read during the multi-phase jurying process.

ACCEPTED AND WAITLIST
​Accepted artists will be notified via email, or phone no later than May 20, 2027. A reserve list of Waitlist artists will also be selected to ensure a complete and balanced show. Waitlist artists will be notified by phone or email immediately after July 20, 2027, with booth fees due within 20 days of notification for those who wish to confirm.
At the Event Director's discretion, and on the Board of Director's behalf, the Event Director may make up to eight additional artist acceptance decisions to enhance the quality and balance of the Festival.

COLLABORATING ARTISTS
If your application includes a collaborating artist, you must include both names with the application. To submit a Zapplication including a collaborating artist, please follow this procedure:
Go to "My Profile" on ZAPP
Enter one artist as the primary contact in the profile form (this name will always appear first in the publications and online if accepted).
After completing the information requested, enter the collaborating artist's name in the section at the bottom of the profile page.
This information is carried over to the application for purposes of identifying a collaborative artist. No collaborating artists will be accepted after the jury process is completed.
All artists, including collaborating artists, must be present during both days of the Festival. Proper ID is required of both artists. Collaborating artists may only show their joint work, and both artist names must appear on all application materials.

Jury fee(non-refundable): $35.

Artist notification date: 2027-05-20.

Event dates: September 11, 2027 to September 12, 2027.

Location: Downtown Louisville Waterfront Park, Big 4 Bridge Lawn, 1103 River Road, Louisville, Kentucky.

Setting: outdoor.

Minimum 3 images required to apply.