Columbus Arts Festival
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June 9-11, 2023
at the riverfront
  • Visit
    • General Information
    • Artist Gallery
  • Apply
    • Visual Artists
    • Performing Artists
    • Food Vendors
  • Engage
    • Volunteer
    • Press Room
    • Press Room Photos
  • Support
    • Current Sponsors
    • Become a Sponsor
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Visual Artists

The heart of the Arts Festival is the stunning outdoor gallery comprised of local, national and international artists displaying their work. Juried artists vie for between 200 and 250 booth spaces among more than 900 other exhibiting and emerging applicants. Big Local Artists join other central Ohio artists in the Big Local Arts Village. Caricature artists, face painters and others draw and decorate attendees throughout Festival weekend.

If you’d like to join the ranks of artists who share their work with Columbus at the Arts Festival, see the options below or reach out to Festival Coordinator Jenica Richards at (614) 221-8531.

Need assistance in filling out your application? Schedule a meeting with us to receive help in person or over the phone.

Juried Artists
Big Local Artists
Caricature, Charcoal, Henna & Face Paint Artists

Juried Artists

Exhibiting Artists

The best artists from around the world earn a spot at the nationally-ranked Columbus Arts Festival after competing through an annual blind jury process. Through ZAPPlication™, artists submit four digital images of their work and one image of their booth display. Jurors score each artist based only upon the artists’ images and statements. Top-scoring, invited artists receive their own booth and marketing from the Arts Festival, as well as the chance to win cash awards.

Artists that come from BIPOC communities, LGBTQia+ communities, artists with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply, even if they have not shown at a festival in the past.

See past award winners here.

For detailed information on the application process for exhibiting artists, download a complete 2023 prospectus.

For a briefer overview, see our short Frequently Asked Questions page in English or Spanish.

Click Here to Apply

Emerging Artists

Designed for artists who have limited or no experience exhibiting at major arts festivals, the Emerging Artist Program offers both a lower booth fee and training for selling artwork at the Columbus Arts Festival. Artists who apply in this category must be residents of Franklin, Union, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties.

Prospective Emerging Artists apply through ZAPPlication™, however, their fifth image must be either 1) a grouping of their work or 2) a booth display, if possible. Artists should select “Emerging Artist Program” as the discipline category in their ZAPPlication™.

For detailed information on the application process for emerging artists, download a complete 2023 prospectus.

For a briefer overview, see our short Frequently Asked Questions page in English or Spanish.

Click Here to Apply

Important Dates

Application Open:

September 14, 2022

Application Close:

December 7, 2022

Jury:

January 28 & 29, 2023

Notification:

February 13, 2023

Big Local Artists

Artisans and makers from central Ohio can choose to apply for a shared space in the Big Local Arts Village, in lieu of applying for a juried spot. These artists pay a commission to the Arts Festival, rather than a booth fee. We especially welcome makers who offer hands-on demonstrations for attendees!

Important Dates

Application Open:

Mid-March

Application Close:

Early May

Notification:

Mid-May

Caricature, Charcoal, Henna & Face Paint Artists

Each year, the Columbus Arts Festival seeks accomplished individuals to participate as on-site caricature artists, charcoal artists, face painters and temporary tattoo artists. Chosen participants will be appointed spaces throughout the Festival. The selection will depend on the images of work submitted along with the application.

Click Here to Apply

Important Dates

Application Open:

September 16, 2022

Application Close:

March 3, 2023

Notification:

Early April

  • Visit
    • Festival Map
    • Guidebook
    • General Information
    • Artist Gallery
    • Performance Schedule
    • Film at the Fest
    • Patron Package
  • Apply
    • Visual Artists
    • Performing Artists
    • Food Vendors
  • Engage
    • Promotional Toolkit
    • Volunteer
    • Press Room
    • Press Room Photos
  • Support
    • Current Sponsors
    • Become a Sponsor
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The Columbus Arts Festival is produced by The Greater Columbus Arts Council © 2023
182 E. Long St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-224-2606
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