Fairs/Festivals
Lubeznik Arts Festival 2026
Michigan City, Indiana
Application Fee: $35
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
The 2026 Lubeznik Arts Festival (LAF) will take place August 15 and 16 in Michigan City, IN. This popular festival held by Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is currently in its 44th year.
LAF is one of the highlights of summer in Northwest Indiana! It takes place on LCA’s grounds, just steps away from Lake Michigan, to connect festivalgoers to the center’s dynamic programming and exhibitions. During this year’s festival, we’ll have 80+ artists, local food vendors, indoor exhibitions, family activities and live demos. LCA’s summer blockbuster exhibition will also be on display during the festival.
LAF is extensively marketed via social media, radio, TV, print ads, signage and email.
LAF is one of the highlights of summer in Northwest Indiana! It takes place on LCA’s grounds, just steps away from Lake Michigan, to connect festivalgoers to the center’s dynamic programming and exhibitions. During this year’s festival, we’ll have 80+ artists, local food vendors, indoor exhibitions, family activities and live demos. LCA’s summer blockbuster exhibition will also be on display during the festival.
LAF is extensively marketed via social media, radio, TV, print ads, signage and email.
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General Information
Festival Dates: August 15 and 16, 2026
Times: 10 AM- 5 PM (Central)
Admission:
LAF Elements at a Glance:
A Note for New Applicants:
In recent years, we have received many applications from artists who create a mix of items—such as paintings, prints, jewelry and t-shirts—and wish to exhibit all of them in one tent. Unfortunately, booths featuring a mix of mediums will not be accepted into this festival. For LAF, we are seeking artists who specialize in a single fine art or fine craft medium and display only that medium in their booth. If you have any questions, please contact us at 219.874.4900.
Award Categories:
$3,000 in cash awards will be distributed between:
Media Categories:
Application Requirements:
You may also send a check made payable to Lubeznik Center for the Arts or call (219) 874-4900 to pay by credit card. Even if you are paying by check, you must still complete the Zapplication checkout process. Your application will not be considered complete until your registration and payment are received.
If paying by check, please mail payment to:
Lubeznik Center for the Arts
101 W. 2nd St.
Michigan City, IN 46360
Amenities for Exhibitors:
Times: 10 AM- 5 PM (Central)
Admission:
- Saturday Admission: $5 but LCA members, children, active military and veterans are free
- Sunday Admission: Free Family Day - Thanks to McDonald's of LaPorte County
LAF Elements at a Glance:
- Fine Art: Discover artist and artisan-made creations at every price point.
- Family Activities: We are family friendly! Fun art-making opportunities for all ages are available.
- Food: Local food vendors offer a delicious array of food for all tastes.
A Note for New Applicants:
In recent years, we have received many applications from artists who create a mix of items—such as paintings, prints, jewelry and t-shirts—and wish to exhibit all of them in one tent. Unfortunately, booths featuring a mix of mediums will not be accepted into this festival. For LAF, we are seeking artists who specialize in a single fine art or fine craft medium and display only that medium in their booth. If you have any questions, please contact us at 219.874.4900.
Award Categories:
$3,000 in cash awards will be distributed between:
- Best in Show: $1,000
- 1st Place Fine Art: $500
- 1st Place Fine Craft: $500
- Neil Kienitz Award for Representational Art: $250
- Weigel Family Juror Awards (2): $250
- Juror's Award: $250
Media Categories:
- 2-Dimensional Art: Painting, drawing, printmaking, pastels, mixed-media, collage
- Fine Craft: Functional, clay/ceramics, glass, wood, metal, fiber, textile, paper
- Jewelry
- Photography: Traditional and digital techniques
- Sculptural Objects: Non-functional, all media
- Wearable Art: Wearable and accessories
Application Requirements:
- Four images representing the work you will be selling, including an image showing booth presentation. Please choose high quality images for marketing purposes.
- A brief (200 words or less) statement about your work, including a short description of your medium and process.
You may also send a check made payable to Lubeznik Center for the Arts or call (219) 874-4900 to pay by credit card. Even if you are paying by check, you must still complete the Zapplication checkout process. Your application will not be considered complete until your registration and payment are received.
If paying by check, please mail payment to:
Lubeznik Center for the Arts
101 W. 2nd St.
Michigan City, IN 46360
Amenities for Exhibitors:
- Parking - Designated parking areas are located adjacent to LCA property.
- Hospitality - Complimentary water and snacks are provided Saturday and Sunday during the festival.
- Indoor restrooms will be accessible during setup and festival hours, in addition to portable restrooms outside.
- Security - Security guards will be onsite both Friday and Saturday nights.
- Booth Sitters - Volunteers will be available Saturday and Sunday to provide short relief breaks for exhibitors.
Application Requirements
PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY, AS SOME RULES HAVE CHANGED FOR 2026.
Exhibition Rules:
These LAF exhibition rules are a part of the 2026 legal agreement. As part of the legal agreement with LCA, the Exhibitor agrees as follows:
1. The Exhibitor must be present to exhibit and manage all displays during the LAF from 10 AM to 5 PM (Central) both Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. The Exhibitor is limited to the booth space(s) assigned; booth spaces are non-transferable. Any exhibitor who has not been accepted, invited or has not paid booth fees will not be allowed to exhibit.
2. All work must be original art, conceived and executed solely by the Exhibitor.
3. Exhibitors will supply their own commercial grade tents, booth displays and furniture. EACH TENT MUST BE PROPERLY WEIGHTED according to the tent manufacturer’s instructions, with a minimum of forty pounds of weight on each corner and both the canopy and frame adequately secured. Bricks and rocks are not acceptable forms of weighting. Exhibitors determined by LCA or its designees to have improperly weighted tents will be removed from the event with no refunds given. If your tent is deemed too flimsy, you will be asked to find a sturdier replacement. You must plan for extremely strong winds off Lake Michigan.
4. WIFI will not be provided. Exhibitors must connect to their own cellular data/hot spots.
5. Collaborating artists may share booth space only if they mutually create pieces together and have been juried as collaborators. Artists who work in a similar style or share studio space but create separate pieces do not qualify as collaborators and must apply separately.
6. All Exhibitors must conduct themselves and their transactions in a professional manner.
7. Except for photography, commercial reproductions must be clearly marked as such (i.e. giclee, inkjet, etc.).
8. All work must be for sale with prices clearly displayed.
9. All sales will be conducted between the Exhibitor and the purchaser.
10. The Exhibitor must comply with all State of Indiana tax regulations and must collect and remit to the Indiana Department of Revenue all appropriate taxes. LCA has no responsibility regarding sales of the Exhibitor’s work. The Indiana sales tax rate is 7%.
11. Each Exhibitor's work will be reviewed by LCA staff, committee members and/or judges during LAF. Prizes and/or commendations may be awarded to appropriate Exhibitors.
12. LCA retains the right to expel any Exhibitor or deem them ineligible for awards if they fail to comply with these Exhibition Rules.
13. No animals will be allowed on the grounds except for service animals.
14. The Exhibitor, upon acceptance of LCA’s invitation to exhibit work at LAF, commits to be present and exhibit. Exhibitors must select a booth type and remit the respective payment (outlined under “Booth Fee Options”) by May 31, 2026. Exhibitors will be notified should their booth type be unavailable. If the Exhibitor does not remit booth fee payment by this deadline, he or she may not be eligible to participate.
15. The Exhibitor consents to, and authorizes the use of, any and all images of the Exhibitor’s work in promotional literature and/or other promotional endeavors by LCA or LAF, its officers, directors and agents. Said images may be used for no payment in any fashion at the sole and exclusive discretion of LCA or LAF. Such uses may include, but are not limited to, print advertisements, marketing materials, billboards, television, radio advertising and interactive media.
16. In consideration for the opportunity to apply for 2026 LAF, the Exhibitor releases LCA and its directors, officers, employees, agents, independent contractors and volunteers from any and all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense the Exhibitor may suffer as a result of the exhibitor’s participation in the event. See Legal Agreement for complete details.
Exhibition Rules:
These LAF exhibition rules are a part of the 2026 legal agreement. As part of the legal agreement with LCA, the Exhibitor agrees as follows:
1. The Exhibitor must be present to exhibit and manage all displays during the LAF from 10 AM to 5 PM (Central) both Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. The Exhibitor is limited to the booth space(s) assigned; booth spaces are non-transferable. Any exhibitor who has not been accepted, invited or has not paid booth fees will not be allowed to exhibit.
2. All work must be original art, conceived and executed solely by the Exhibitor.
3. Exhibitors will supply their own commercial grade tents, booth displays and furniture. EACH TENT MUST BE PROPERLY WEIGHTED according to the tent manufacturer’s instructions, with a minimum of forty pounds of weight on each corner and both the canopy and frame adequately secured. Bricks and rocks are not acceptable forms of weighting. Exhibitors determined by LCA or its designees to have improperly weighted tents will be removed from the event with no refunds given. If your tent is deemed too flimsy, you will be asked to find a sturdier replacement. You must plan for extremely strong winds off Lake Michigan.
4. WIFI will not be provided. Exhibitors must connect to their own cellular data/hot spots.
5. Collaborating artists may share booth space only if they mutually create pieces together and have been juried as collaborators. Artists who work in a similar style or share studio space but create separate pieces do not qualify as collaborators and must apply separately.
6. All Exhibitors must conduct themselves and their transactions in a professional manner.
7. Except for photography, commercial reproductions must be clearly marked as such (i.e. giclee, inkjet, etc.).
8. All work must be for sale with prices clearly displayed.
9. All sales will be conducted between the Exhibitor and the purchaser.
10. The Exhibitor must comply with all State of Indiana tax regulations and must collect and remit to the Indiana Department of Revenue all appropriate taxes. LCA has no responsibility regarding sales of the Exhibitor’s work. The Indiana sales tax rate is 7%.
11. Each Exhibitor's work will be reviewed by LCA staff, committee members and/or judges during LAF. Prizes and/or commendations may be awarded to appropriate Exhibitors.
12. LCA retains the right to expel any Exhibitor or deem them ineligible for awards if they fail to comply with these Exhibition Rules.
13. No animals will be allowed on the grounds except for service animals.
14. The Exhibitor, upon acceptance of LCA’s invitation to exhibit work at LAF, commits to be present and exhibit. Exhibitors must select a booth type and remit the respective payment (outlined under “Booth Fee Options”) by May 31, 2026. Exhibitors will be notified should their booth type be unavailable. If the Exhibitor does not remit booth fee payment by this deadline, he or she may not be eligible to participate.
15. The Exhibitor consents to, and authorizes the use of, any and all images of the Exhibitor’s work in promotional literature and/or other promotional endeavors by LCA or LAF, its officers, directors and agents. Said images may be used for no payment in any fashion at the sole and exclusive discretion of LCA or LAF. Such uses may include, but are not limited to, print advertisements, marketing materials, billboards, television, radio advertising and interactive media.
16. In consideration for the opportunity to apply for 2026 LAF, the Exhibitor releases LCA and its directors, officers, employees, agents, independent contractors and volunteers from any and all liability for any loss, damage, injury or expense the Exhibitor may suffer as a result of the exhibitor’s participation in the event. See Legal Agreement for complete details.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
100
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
80
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
2
Booth Information
Booth Fee Options:
Each exhibitor will be assigned a single 11’x11’ booth space, suitable for a 10’x10’ tent. Booths must be set up facing the main public walkway as defined by LCA.
Additional Exhibitor Requests:
Preferences such as proximity to another exhibitor or a specific booth location may be requested but are not guaranteed. Please notify us of any other personal needs or requests you may have. There is a place in the application for these requests.
Each exhibitor will be assigned a single 11’x11’ booth space, suitable for a 10’x10’ tent. Booths must be set up facing the main public walkway as defined by LCA.
- A single booth space - $225
- Double booth spaces - $450 (limited availability)
- Electrical access - Additional $50 (limited availability)
- Side access - Additional $100 (limited availability)
Additional Exhibitor Requests:
Preferences such as proximity to another exhibitor or a specific booth location may be requested but are not guaranteed. Please notify us of any other personal needs or requests you may have. There is a place in the application for these requests.
Refund Policy
Withdrawals prior to May 31, 2026, are eligible for a refund of booth fees paid less a $20 processing fee. Withdrawals between May 31 and June 30, 2026, will be eligible for a 50% refund of booth fees paid, less a $20 processing fee. No booth fees will be refunded for withdrawals/cancellation made on or after July 1, 2026.
Additional Fees
Double Booth Fee: $450
Single Booth Fee: $225
Side Access Fee (Add-On to Booth Fee)A: $100
Electric Hookup Fee (Add-on to Booth Fee): $50
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $35