Fairs/Festivals
Ruidoso Art Festival 2026
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
The Ruidoso Art Festival is in its 55th year and is a perfect reason in the perfect season for artists, art lovers and collectors to escape to the mountains! This event draws 5,000 people over the 3-day period and is held the fourth weekend in July each year. Featuring the works of Artists from a variety of art disciplines, it is an event not to be missed! We hope you will consider participating in this outstanding art show.
Nestled in the cool mountain pines of southern New Mexico, in Lincoln County, Ruidoso offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives. Our beautiful alpine setting is surrounded by over one million acres of wilderness and national forest. Ruidoso's cool, mild summer creates an irresistible atmosphere and draws thousands of visitors wanting to escape the hotter climates.
Lincoln County, New Mexico is home to The Mescalero Apache Native American Tribe (owners of the beautiful Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino and Ski Apache Ski Resort), Historical Fort Stanton (one time housed the Buffalo Soldiers of the Civil War Era), Smokey Bear Historical Park and Museum (where the famed bear is buried) as well as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid; (much of that history is located in the historical town of Lincoln, NM). Rich in history coupled with wonderfully diverse cultures, Ruidoso, New Mexico is truly one of the best places to be!
Nestled in the cool mountain pines of southern New Mexico, in Lincoln County, Ruidoso offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives. Our beautiful alpine setting is surrounded by over one million acres of wilderness and national forest. Ruidoso's cool, mild summer creates an irresistible atmosphere and draws thousands of visitors wanting to escape the hotter climates.
Lincoln County, New Mexico is home to The Mescalero Apache Native American Tribe (owners of the beautiful Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino and Ski Apache Ski Resort), Historical Fort Stanton (one time housed the Buffalo Soldiers of the Civil War Era), Smokey Bear Historical Park and Museum (where the famed bear is buried) as well as Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid; (much of that history is located in the historical town of Lincoln, NM). Rich in history coupled with wonderfully diverse cultures, Ruidoso, New Mexico is truly one of the best places to be!
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General Information
EVENT DATES & TIMES
The 2026 Ruidoso Art Festival will be held July 24, 25, and 26 at the Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Festival hours are as follows:
Friday, July 24: 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday, July 25: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, July 26: 11 am to 5 pm
REGISTRATION
Artists must submit a complete application for the jurying process. The completed application MUST include 3 artwork images and 1 booth shot. The Ruidoso Art Festival will be requiring a booth shot. If an application is received without one, the artist must submit one before said application proceeds to the jury process.
APPLICATION FEE
Each artist must submit a non-refundable $40 application fee per medium. A maximum of two mediums may be entered per artist. Submission does not guarantee acceptance.
THIS IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU CAN REQUEST A CORNER BOOTH ON YOUR APPLICATION BUT THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET ONE. ALSO PAYING FOR A CORNER BOOTH DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CORNER BOOTH EITHER.
PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR BOOTH UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE BOOTH MAP/PAYMENT AMOUNT. IF YOU PAY FOR A CORNER BOOTH AND DO NOT GET ONE, WE WILL HAVE TO ISSUE A REFUND BY CHECK.
If you are a return artist from the 2025 art festival you will receive a 10% discount on your jury fee. Please contact us for the code that must be put on your application to receive the discount. You must have been accepted and participated in the 2025 show to be eligible for this discount. If you fail to fill out the application with the discount code, you will be charged the full $40.00 and no refund will be given.
If you were awarded “Best In Show and/or Best in your Medium" in the 2025 Art Festival, your jury fee will be waived and you will not be required to go through the jury process. However, you must fill out an application and submit photos. Contact us for the code that you will place on your application to receive the waiver. If you fail to fill out the application with the exempt code, you will be charged the full $40.00 and no refund will be given. The 2025 Winners for Best in Show, Best Booth or Best in Medium have booth preference, so put your choices on the application when filling it out. Again, this is for the artists that received the large "Best In" ribbons only.
Please indicate on your application if you would like a single booth (10x10), double booth (10x20) or if you can fit in a 7x20 booth(limited).
ACCEPTANCE
Artists will be notified no later than May 12, 2026 of their acceptance.
Upon notification we ask that you let us know that you accept or decline the invitation as soon as possible.
Payment for artists booths are not due until Tuesday June 30, 2026 and can be paid through Zapplication, by calling 575-257-7395 and using your Visa or MasterCard or by mailing a check to RVCC - PO Box 159 - Ruidoso, NM - 88355. Artists will receive a refund of their booth fee IF they cancel their registration at least 30 days before the show AND their booth space is able to be filled with another artist. Refund and cancellation requests after 30 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
ELIGIBLE MEDIA
Prints and Giclees are permitted, but a minimum of 50% of the displayed artwork must be original work. To enter, your medium must fall into one of the following Fine Art categories (PLEASE NOTE: The categories have changed slightly, so please review carefully):
1) Acrylics/Watercolor Painting
2) Oil Painting
3) Pastels, Pen, Pencil & Ink
4) Photography
5) Sculpture
6) Metalwork
7) Woodwork
8) Pottery / Porcelain
9) Glass
10) Jewelry
11) Fiber Arts (formerly Fabric, Weaving and Leather)
12) Mixed Media
JURYING INFORMATION
This Ruidoso Art Festival is limited to approximately 80 exhibitors chosen by a jury of highly qualified, talented, experienced, 2D and 3D fine artists and craftspeople. All participants in the show will be chosen by this jury, which will begin their jurying April 24, 2026.
Artists who will be called from the wait list will be chosen by category as cancellations are received and notified and can at that time accept or decline our invitation to exhibit.
DEADLINE
All applications must be submitted by April 20, 2026 to be considered.
Accepted artists will be notified no later than May 12, 2026.
ARTISTS HOSPITALITY & SERVICES
*Complimentary refreshments in an artist hospitality area. (AFTER 2PM FRIDAY)
*Volunteer booth sitters.
*Load-in is from Thursday July 23, from 8am to 5pm and Friday, July 24 from 8am to 11am. All booths must be ready for judging by 11am on Friday. The show opens at 12pm.
*Load-out before 5pm on Sunday, July 26 is not permitted.
*Artists reception & awards ceremony, details provided at registration.
ACCEPTANCE COMMITTEE
The acceptance committee will review each booth at the start of the Art Festival to ensure that the exhibitors are in compliance with festival regulations and are displaying items only in the categories for which they were accepted. Only prints of original art may be displayed and 50% of art displayed must be original work.
HOSPITALITY
There will be a Hospitality Room available for artists and their assistants for the duration of the show starting after 2pm on Friday afternoon. Your ID badge will be required for entrance to this area. We will have complimentary beverages and snacks for artists and their assistants.
CHANGE
Unfortunately we are unable to provide change, cash out of town checks or perform credit card transactions. A list of banking facilities with their locations will be provided to you upon registration.
SECURITY
Security will be present at the Art Festival site, however the Art Festival Committee and the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce are not responsible for any theft or damage to your display, artwork or personal belongings. Remove any items from your booth that you wish to take with you within 45 minutes after Art Festival closing time. After that time Convention Center personnel will lock the facility and no one may gain entry.
COLLECTION OF GROSS RECEIPTS TAX
Each exhibitor is responsible for the collection and reporting of tax. Further information is available from the Taxation & Revenue Department @ 1-866-285-2996.
SILENT AUCTION
We appreciate your generous donations of Silent Auction items. Upon check-in please give your silent auction item to the Art Festival personnel. Make sure to complete the information form so the item may be placed on display in the lobby. The Silent Auction items are displayed throughout operating hours and the auction closes on Sunday at 3:00 pm. Funds generated by the Silent Auction go to support various Chamber of Commerce community functions including the art programs at the Ruidoso Municipal Schools.
WE ARE VERY ARTIST FRIENDLY. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US DIRECTLY FOR QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE at 575-257-7395 or email us at Events@ruidosonow.com or Membership@ruidosonow.com.
Application Requirements
FESTIVAL HOURS
Friday, July 24: 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday, July 25: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, July 26: 11 am to 5 pm
Exhibitors agree to be present throughout the show until closing time each day. Tearing down early will not be tolerated and may result in automatic disqualification in future shows
Set up is from Thursday July 23rd, beginning at 8 am until 5pm and Friday 8am to 11 am.
Tear down is after closing on Sunday July 26.
ELIGIBILITY
All artists 18 years and older are eligible to submit original artwork in all disciplines. All work must be for sale and priced with the intent to sell. The jurying of the show will be done using uploaded photos through Zapplication. These photos must accurately represent works entered. They must also be your own work. Collaborators' work will not be allowed to be sold in your booth. All work must have been juried in to be sold!
The following items do not qualify to be exhibited at the Ruidoso Art Festival:
* Items in a medium other than that submitted and accepted by the Festival jury
* Artwork copied from other artist
* Ceramics made from commercial molds
* Commercially made items, hobby store kits or patterns of any kind
* Commercially made form settings on jewelry
* Machine tooling or machine screened patterns.
* Accessory items, such as forms or buckles not handmade by the artist.
* Mass produced art of any kind
* Work done by an artist that has not submitted an application and been juried into the show.
ARTWORK IMAGES FOR JURYING
All applicants to the Ruidoso Art Festival must include 4 color digital images, via the ZAPP application. (NO EXCEPTIONS!) Three images must show individual pieces representative of current work. The fourth image must be of the display that will be used at the show with the full range of work displayed. Failure to submit required images may hold up your application process or result in rejection of your application.
PARKING
To ensure ample parking for Art Festival patrons you will be required to park in the overflow parking lot. A map will be provided to you at registration. For the consideration of your fellow artists, please do not move your vehicle into the loading zones until after 5:00 pm on Sunday when the show ends and you are completely ready to load. There is no camping allowed in the parking lots. You may park your RV's in the overflow parking lot and keep them there. It is a short walk to the Convention Center.
BADGES
You will be required to wear an Artist ID badge for the duration of the show after checking in Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Assistant ID badges will be issued. Individuals without badges will be required to buy an admission ticket after the festival begins on Friday.
PETS AND CHILDREN
Convention Center rules do not permit pets except for handicap assistance so please do not bring your pets with you to the show. We are happy to provide kennel information to you if needed. Child care is not available at the Convention Center.
Friday, July 24: 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday, July 25: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, July 26: 11 am to 5 pm
Exhibitors agree to be present throughout the show until closing time each day. Tearing down early will not be tolerated and may result in automatic disqualification in future shows
Set up is from Thursday July 23rd, beginning at 8 am until 5pm and Friday 8am to 11 am.
Tear down is after closing on Sunday July 26.
ELIGIBILITY
All artists 18 years and older are eligible to submit original artwork in all disciplines. All work must be for sale and priced with the intent to sell. The jurying of the show will be done using uploaded photos through Zapplication. These photos must accurately represent works entered. They must also be your own work. Collaborators' work will not be allowed to be sold in your booth. All work must have been juried in to be sold!
The following items do not qualify to be exhibited at the Ruidoso Art Festival:
* Items in a medium other than that submitted and accepted by the Festival jury
* Artwork copied from other artist
* Ceramics made from commercial molds
* Commercially made items, hobby store kits or patterns of any kind
* Commercially made form settings on jewelry
* Machine tooling or machine screened patterns.
* Accessory items, such as forms or buckles not handmade by the artist.
* Mass produced art of any kind
* Work done by an artist that has not submitted an application and been juried into the show.
ARTWORK IMAGES FOR JURYING
All applicants to the Ruidoso Art Festival must include 4 color digital images, via the ZAPP application. (NO EXCEPTIONS!) Three images must show individual pieces representative of current work. The fourth image must be of the display that will be used at the show with the full range of work displayed. Failure to submit required images may hold up your application process or result in rejection of your application.
PARKING
To ensure ample parking for Art Festival patrons you will be required to park in the overflow parking lot. A map will be provided to you at registration. For the consideration of your fellow artists, please do not move your vehicle into the loading zones until after 5:00 pm on Sunday when the show ends and you are completely ready to load. There is no camping allowed in the parking lots. You may park your RV's in the overflow parking lot and keep them there. It is a short walk to the Convention Center.
BADGES
You will be required to wear an Artist ID badge for the duration of the show after checking in Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. Assistant ID badges will be issued. Individuals without badges will be required to buy an admission ticket after the festival begins on Friday.
PETS AND CHILDREN
Convention Center rules do not permit pets except for handicap assistance so please do not bring your pets with you to the show. We are happy to provide kennel information to you if needed. Child care is not available at the Convention Center.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
150
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
14
Booth Information
BOOTHS
Booth spaces are approximately 10' x 10', 10' x 20' or 7'x 20'. Double booths are also available on a limited basis. Displays must be professional and pleasing to the eye. The goal is to make your booth look like a "mini" art gallery. Booth numbers will be issued to you at registration. Handwritten signs and sale signs are prohibited.
BOOTH FEES
Booth fees for each artist range from $425-$950 depending on booth size and location and are not due until after being juried into the show and accepting the invitation to exhibit. There is an additional fee of $50 for corner booths and carpeted booths. All booths are inside the Ruidoso Convention Center. Electricity is provided but you should have your own power cords sufficient to your needs. WiFi is available at the Convention Center. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU CAN REQUEST A CORNER BOOTH ON YOUR APPLICATION BUT THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET ONE. ALSO PAYING FOR A CORNER BOOTH DOES NOT GUARANTEE A CORNER BOOTH EITHER. DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR BOOTH UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR BOOTH MAP/PAYMENT AMOUNT. IF YOU PAY FOR A CORNER BOOTH AND DO NOT GET ONE, WE WILL HAVE TO ISSUE A REFUND BY CHECK.
SETUP, TAKE DOWN AND MANNING OF BOOTHS
We request that you be responsible for complete setup and take down of your booth. Booths may be set up between 8am-5pm on Thursday July 23 and must be completely set up by 11am on Friday July 24 to allow the judging to be completed before the show opens to the public. Artists are required to man their booths throughout the Festival until 5:00 pm on Sunday. Booth sitters will be available for breaks and lunch.
BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS/PAYMENT
Booths will be assigned to you. You can call us with your payment, pay through Zapp or mail a check. Payments are due by June 30, 2026. If you could let us know that you are coming as soon as receiving your acceptance into the show, it would help with booth assignments. Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you!
Refund Policy
Artists will receive a refund of their booth fee if they cancel their registration at least 30 days before the show AND their booth space is able to be filled with another artist. Refund and cancellation requests after 30 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The show committee must be notified as soon as possible if such an emergency arises. NO refunds will be given on the application fee.
Additional Fees
10x20 booth space: $850
7x20 booth space: $725
10x10 booth space: $425
Corner: $50
Carpet: $50
Terms to Apply
Application Fee, non refundable.: $40
