Emerging Artist Program

In addition to our artist application which is open to national and international exhibitors, the Columbus Arts Festival now offers a separate application to local artists who are new to exhibiting at art fairs through GCAC’s new Emerging Artists program.

The Emerging Artist program is designed specifically for artists who have extremely limited or no experience exhibiting and selling their artwork at outdoor venues. Artists who apply in this category must be residents of Franklin or surrounding counties in Ohio which include Union, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Fayette and Madison.

This new program has been designed to help promote Central Ohio artists who are new to presenting their work at festivals. In 2011 there were 33 applications to this program and 10 artists were selected by the Festival jurors. In addition to a lower booth fee Emerging Artists also receive assistance from Festival staff on how to best present their work to the public.

The application process for the 2012 Festival is now open.  The application deadline is January 13 and the jury process takes place in February.

Local artists who wish to be considered for the Columbus Arts Festival's Emerging Artist program apply through ZAPPlication™, an online application tool, by submitting four digital images of their work and one image of their booth display. A jury panel, selected by the GCAC staff, conducts a blind jury process, where jurors review the artists’ images and technical statements without any biographical information about the artists. The top scores, allowing for a balanced show across mediums, are invited to participate in the Festival.

For detailed information on the application process for Visual/Emerging Artists, download a complete Prospectus and information about the required Artist Statement (including sample statement). You may also find the Artist Handbook and Bios of the 2011 Jurors useful. For more information about the Emerging Artist program or with questions email Festival Coordinator Shana Scott at sscott@gcac.org.