Big Local Arts Village Applications Open for 2023 Columbus Arts Festival

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Applications for exhibiting artists in the Big Local Arts Village are now open for the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival, presented by the American Electric Power Foundation June 9-11.

The Big Local Arts Village features central Ohio artisans and makers who sell their work and offer hands-on demonstrations. These spots are offered to local artists in lieu of applying for a juried spot, with the goal of providing more opportunities for artists with a smaller body of work not designed for the national festival circuit. These artists pay a commission to the Arts Festival, rather than a booth fee.

“The Big Local Arts Village continues to be an important centerpiece of the Arts Festival,” says Festival Director Alexis Perrone. “In addition to serving as a gateway to the Franklinton Arts District, the village offers Festival-goers the chance to interact with local artists through exhibitions, sales, performances and demonstrations.”

The application deadline is May 1, 2023. Accepted artists will be notified in mid-May. More information and applications are available here: columbusartsfestival.org/apply/visual-artists/#bla.

Festival Hours: Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note: on Friday and Saturday artist booths close at 9 p.m.; artists have the option to stay open later.)

To volunteer at the Columbus Arts Festival, please go to columbusartsfestival.org/engage/volunteer/.

For more information on the Columbus Arts Festival, call (614) 221-8625 or visit columbusartsfestival.org.

Download the Columbus Arts Festival app through the Apple app store or Google Play at guidebook.com/app/cafg/.

For a selection of high-res images, visit the Festival’s press media page.

The Columbus Arts Festival is produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

The 2023 Columbus Arts Festival is presented by the American Electric Power Foundation. Additional sponsors and partners include Art for Life, Bank of America, Bath & Body Works, Battelle, Cardinal Health, Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, COSI, Deloitte, Encova, Graeter’s, High Bank Distillery, Holiday Inn Downtown, Hotel LeVeque, Huntington, IGS Energy, JP Morgan Chase, The Junto, King Business Interiors, ML Concessions, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, OSA Technology Partners, Paul-Henri and Erika Bourguignon Charitable Trust, Pepsi, Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, Rhinegeist, Toyota, The Westin Great Southern Columbus, White Castle and Whole World Lemonade. Media sponsors include ABC6/FOX28, CD92.9, Dispatch Media Group, Lamar Outdoor, Ohio Magazine, Orange Barrel Media, RSVP, WCBE, WOSU Public Media and WSNY/Mix 107.9.

Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org

The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the city of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, Ohio Arts Council and The Ohio State University. There are no funds from the city of Columbus, Franklin County or Ohio Arts Council used to support the production of the Columbus Arts Festival.

# # #