Fairs/Festivals
Artclectic 2026
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Celebrating 30 years, Artclectic is a vibrant fusion of art and community at University School of Nashville. This annual fundraiser embodies our commitment to originality, creativity, and outreach, along with our support of our dedicated faculty. Throughout multiple days of events, we welcome our diverse community of neighbors, friends, parents, students, and alumni to join in the festivities.
Artclectic showcases an assortment of both established and emerging artists in a lively setting. Our school gym is professionally transformed into a sleek, modern gallery space. The floor is covered in black carpeting, the walls are hung with black drapes and black panels are suspended from the ceiling. The entire space is professionally lit.
"I was blown away by how this community came together to celebrate creativity, reflection, and self expression. Everything from the way the school set up the gallery space, to how helpful and supportive the organizers and volunteers were, to how contagious the excitement was in that room packed with so many beautiful pieces and thoughtful, curious people ready to connect over art. It was all amazing!"
Extensive marketing and advertising efforts support the show. In addition to attracting thousands of visitors, Artclectic provides valuable art education for University School of Nashville students and the Nashville community through such enriching experiences as demonstrations, class tours, and hands-on workshops.
Artclectic showcases an assortment of both established and emerging artists in a lively setting. Our school gym is professionally transformed into a sleek, modern gallery space. The floor is covered in black carpeting, the walls are hung with black drapes and black panels are suspended from the ceiling. The entire space is professionally lit.
"I was blown away by how this community came together to celebrate creativity, reflection, and self expression. Everything from the way the school set up the gallery space, to how helpful and supportive the organizers and volunteers were, to how contagious the excitement was in that room packed with so many beautiful pieces and thoughtful, curious people ready to connect over art. It was all amazing!"
Extensive marketing and advertising efforts support the show. In addition to attracting thousands of visitors, Artclectic provides valuable art education for University School of Nashville students and the Nashville community through such enriching experiences as demonstrations, class tours, and hands-on workshops.
Jump to
General Information
About the Show
This hugely popular gallery show is held indoors and features professional lighting, a sophisticated setting, extensive media support and an outstanding reputation among both participants and visitors. University School of Nashville is located in bustling Midtown; close to Vanderbilt and Belmont universities, Music Row, the Gulch, 12South, and the downtown area. This vibrant and walkable neighborhood attracts generous crowds that look forward to the rich mix of media, unique in style and price. Since 1997, our artists have sold almost $6 million worth of art. Artclectic has achieved record sales in each of the past four years.
Each artist receives between one and three rectangular panels (4' x 8') in which to display art. The number of panels assigned is based on the size of the artist's work. The panels are professionally hung from the ceiling and provide a dramatic display area. Shelving and tables are also provided, if needed.
Important Dates
May 6, 2026 -- application deadline (midnight central time)
June 10, 2026 -- invitations issued
June 17, 2026 -- invitation acceptance and booth fee payment deadline
October 5, 2026 -- inventory submission deadline
October 21-22, 2026 -- artist load-in
October 22 - 24, 2026-- Artclectic events
October 24, 2026 -- artist load-out
Show Dates and Hours
Thursday, October 22:
6 – 6:30 p.m.: Innovators Reception
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.: Patrons Party
Friday, October 23:
8:30 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.: Education Day
8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Gallery open to parents and USN friends
10 – 11:30 a.m.: Café Artclectic
1:45 – 5:30 p.m.: break for artists
3:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Gallery open to the public
5:30 p.m.: Alumni @ ARTbash
6 – 8:30 p.m.: ARTbash
Saturday, October 24:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Gallery open to the public
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Discovery Day
Fees
A non-refundable jury fee of $50 is due with the application. If accepted, a non-refundable booth fee of $50 is due by the acceptance deadline. Artclectic retains 30% of all sales.
Artist Amenities
Onsite security
Indoor gallery setting
Professional lighting
Extensive marketing and advertising support
Focused show limited to about 55-60 artists
Open to the public
Most events have no admission fee
Help with load in, set up and load out
Hospitality suite with snacks, drinks and many meals during the run of the show
Savvy, sophisticated art buying crowds
All sales processed for you
Application Process
Artists must submit separate applications, unless applying as a team. Artists wishing to exhibit work in more than one category must apply with separate applications, digital images, and jury fees for each category. Multiple applications must represent either work in different categories or distinctly separate bodies of work within one category. Submitted images must be of recent work and of high resolution, and must represent the style of work the artist intends to exhibit if selected. Prices must be accurate. DO NOT SUBMIT A BOOTH SHOT.
This is a juried exhibit. Images are reviewed by the jurors through multiple rounds. The identities of artists are not disclosed in the first round. Prices, materials and dimensions for each image as well as artist information statements are used by the jurors in making their selections.
Media Categories
Media categories are used as a tool for organizing artists’ images into logical, related groups for the jury’s review. While a balanced show that equitably showcases a diversity among media is the primary objective, Artclectic establishes no quota or entitlement by media category. Five (5) images (no booth shot) must be submitted for each individual media category.
Artists receive seventy percent (70%) of the total price of each item sold at Artclectic, with the remaining thirty percent (30%) going to University School of Nashville. Should any item be commissioned during the show or any item sold/commissioned to an Artclectic contact within 90 days following Artclectic, University School of Nashville is to receive thirty percent (30%) of the total price of the item.
Exhibiting artists are responsible for Tennessee sales tax, if any, due as a result of their sales at Artclectic, on the portion of the proceeds (70%) received by the artist.
Please let us know if you have any questions at artclectic@usn.org.
This hugely popular gallery show is held indoors and features professional lighting, a sophisticated setting, extensive media support and an outstanding reputation among both participants and visitors. University School of Nashville is located in bustling Midtown; close to Vanderbilt and Belmont universities, Music Row, the Gulch, 12South, and the downtown area. This vibrant and walkable neighborhood attracts generous crowds that look forward to the rich mix of media, unique in style and price. Since 1997, our artists have sold almost $6 million worth of art. Artclectic has achieved record sales in each of the past four years.
Each artist receives between one and three rectangular panels (4' x 8') in which to display art. The number of panels assigned is based on the size of the artist's work. The panels are professionally hung from the ceiling and provide a dramatic display area. Shelving and tables are also provided, if needed.
Important Dates
May 6, 2026 -- application deadline (midnight central time)
June 10, 2026 -- invitations issued
June 17, 2026 -- invitation acceptance and booth fee payment deadline
October 5, 2026 -- inventory submission deadline
October 21-22, 2026 -- artist load-in
October 22 - 24, 2026-- Artclectic events
October 24, 2026 -- artist load-out
Show Dates and Hours
Thursday, October 22:
6 – 6:30 p.m.: Innovators Reception
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.: Patrons Party
Friday, October 23:
8:30 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.: Education Day
8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Gallery open to parents and USN friends
10 – 11:30 a.m.: Café Artclectic
1:45 – 5:30 p.m.: break for artists
3:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Gallery open to the public
5:30 p.m.: Alumni @ ARTbash
6 – 8:30 p.m.: ARTbash
Saturday, October 24:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Gallery open to the public
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Discovery Day
Fees
A non-refundable jury fee of $50 is due with the application. If accepted, a non-refundable booth fee of $50 is due by the acceptance deadline. Artclectic retains 30% of all sales.
Artist Amenities
Onsite security
Indoor gallery setting
Professional lighting
Extensive marketing and advertising support
Focused show limited to about 55-60 artists
Open to the public
Most events have no admission fee
Help with load in, set up and load out
Hospitality suite with snacks, drinks and many meals during the run of the show
Savvy, sophisticated art buying crowds
All sales processed for you
Application Process
Artists must submit separate applications, unless applying as a team. Artists wishing to exhibit work in more than one category must apply with separate applications, digital images, and jury fees for each category. Multiple applications must represent either work in different categories or distinctly separate bodies of work within one category. Submitted images must be of recent work and of high resolution, and must represent the style of work the artist intends to exhibit if selected. Prices must be accurate. DO NOT SUBMIT A BOOTH SHOT.
This is a juried exhibit. Images are reviewed by the jurors through multiple rounds. The identities of artists are not disclosed in the first round. Prices, materials and dimensions for each image as well as artist information statements are used by the jurors in making their selections.
Media Categories
Media categories are used as a tool for organizing artists’ images into logical, related groups for the jury’s review. While a balanced show that equitably showcases a diversity among media is the primary objective, Artclectic establishes no quota or entitlement by media category. Five (5) images (no booth shot) must be submitted for each individual media category.
- Ceramics: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay. All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.
- Digital Art: This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.
- Drawing: Works created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.
- Fiber: Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, etc., where the primary material is fiber.
- Glass: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass. No forms of mass production are permitted.
- Graphics and Printmaking: Printed works for which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, may be entered in this category. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
- Jewelry: All jewelry whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, found objects, plastic or other materials may be entered in this category. No commercial casts, molds or production studio works are allowed.
- Metal: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed.
- Mixed Media 2D: Work that is two-dimensional and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more media.
- Mixed Media 3D: Work that is three-dimensional and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more media. Soft sculptures are included in this category.
- Painting: Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolor, etc. are in this category.
- Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original negative or digital file and which have been processed by that artist or under his or her direct supervision are included in this category. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes. Work in this category must be in limited editions, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.
- Sculpture: Three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining plastic, sound, text, light, stone, rock, marble, metal, glass, or wood and created directly by finding or carving, assembled, built together, fired, welded, molded, or cast.
- Wood: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood. Original works must be hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved.
- All work must be original, handcrafted work except as stipulated below under Reproductions. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description and authenticity of the work as the creation of his/her own hands.
- Work done by a production studio is not acceptable. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist. Work done by small teams of assistants and/or apprentices is acceptable as long as that work is directed by the accepted artist.
- No more than two artists may collaborate on work. Both must be included in the application, and both must be present at the event.
- Artists may only show work in categories and bodies of work selected by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the quality, category and body of work shown in the images juried.
- All work must be for sale.
- All participants must be 21 or older.
- Reproductions of an artist's one-of-a-kind original paintings, pastels, drawings, collages or mixed media may be exhibited under the following conditions:
- Original work must be clearly visible and of primary importance.
- All reproductions must be signed and numbered, with the exception of notecards and other small items reproduced from original artwork.
- All reproductions, whether framed or unframed, must be clearly and individually labeled "Reproduction" or "Limited Edition Reproduction".
- All reproductions, whether framed or unframed, must be displayed in browse bins. No reproductions may be hung on panels.
- Reproductions may not be displayed in the same browse bin with original artwork.
- The majority of work in an artist’s booth must be original artwork and must not be a reproduction or stored in browse bins.
Artists receive seventy percent (70%) of the total price of each item sold at Artclectic, with the remaining thirty percent (30%) going to University School of Nashville. Should any item be commissioned during the show or any item sold/commissioned to an Artclectic contact within 90 days following Artclectic, University School of Nashville is to receive thirty percent (30%) of the total price of the item.
Exhibiting artists are responsible for Tennessee sales tax, if any, due as a result of their sales at Artclectic, on the portion of the proceeds (70%) received by the artist.
Please let us know if you have any questions at artclectic@usn.org.
Application Requirements
As an exhibiting artist at Artclectic 2026, I agree to the following:
- To provide original works of art for sale delivered to University School of Nashville on either Wednesday, October 21 or Thursday, October 22, 2026. Confirmation of load-in date and time will be communicated in September 2026. Only items available for sale are to be displayed. All art must be displayed within the space defined by the display panel or panels provided. Additional art may be hung as sales occur.
- To submit the official inventory worksheet (titles, quantities, and prices) of all work available for sale on or before midnight on Monday, October 5, 2026. This list is a requirement for bringing your work into the building and for insurance coverage.
- To abide by Artclectic 2026’s final decisions regarding placement in the gallery, layout of art, and all other display decisions.
- To allow Artclectic 2026 to use images and artist statement for promotional purposes.
- To allow Artclectic 2026 to retain 30 percent (30%) of the purchase price on all artwork sold (including commissions contracted within 90 days as a result of the show).
- To be present during the exhibition hours (from opening Patrons Party on the evening of Thursday, October 22 through close of show on Saturday, October 24, 2026). Exceptions may be made to the attendance policy due to extenuating circumstances. All absences from the show must be approved in advance by the event coordinator.
- To participate in Education Day on Friday, October 23, 2026.
- To remove all remaining works of art from the premises by 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
In addition, Artclectic 2026 agrees to the following:
- To actively promote Artclectic 2026.
- To provide professional lighting for the show.
- To provide at least one rectangular display panel (4' x 8') for each artist and to assist with the installation of the show. Shelving will be provided for three-dimensional art. Placement in the gallery, placement of art, and all other display decisions are at the discretion of Artclectic 2026 representatives.
- To provide security and insurance (covering risk of fire, theft, and vandalism, not to exceed $25,000 per artist) during the show. For insurance coverage to apply, each artist must provide Artclectic 2026 with the inventory list described above by the stated deadline. Coverage during the period of transit to and from the exhibit is excluded. Coverage is limited to the retail price of each piece of art on the premises, less the 30 percent (30%) commission.
- To provide cashiers and support staff to handle all sales for the event.
- PAYMENT FOR ARTISTS' 70 PERCENT (70%) AND A WRITTEN ACCOUNT OF SALES WILL BE ISSUED BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
200
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
55
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
2
Booth Information
Artclectic is not set up with traditional booths, instead artists are assigned between one and three rectangular display panel(s) (4' x 8'). Shelving, tables and black tablecloths are also available. Placement in the gallery, placement of art, and all other display decisions are at the discretion of Artclectic 2026 representatives.
Original works of art for sale are to be delivered to University School of Nashville on either Wednesday, October 21 or Thursday, October 22, 2026. Confirmation of load-in date and time will be communicated in September 2026. Only items available for sale are to be displayed. All art must be displayed within the space defined by the display panel or panels provided. Additional art may be hung as sales occur.
Artists must remove all remaining works of art from premises by 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Original works of art for sale are to be delivered to University School of Nashville on either Wednesday, October 21 or Thursday, October 22, 2026. Confirmation of load-in date and time will be communicated in September 2026. Only items available for sale are to be displayed. All art must be displayed within the space defined by the display panel or panels provided. Additional art may be hung as sales occur.
Artists must remove all remaining works of art from premises by 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Refund Policy
The jury fee is nonrefundable. The booth fee for accepted artists is non-refundable.
Additional Fees
Booth Fee: $50
Terms to Apply
Jury Fee: $50
