Fairs/Festivals
Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art 2026
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
Come be a part of the 55th Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art!
This Madison, Indiana autumn festival brings more than 40,000 guests in search of uniquely handcrafted fine arts and crafts. The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is held at the end of September. Exhibitor amenities include booth sitters, indoor exhibitor hospitality area with restrooms, breakfast and snacks, as well as friendly volunteers. Our planning committee and coordinator work year long to create a festival that appeals to a large diverse number of guests and artists.
EARLY JURY OPTION: We will hold an early jury review the first week in March. Apply by March 1st to be a part of the early jury. Some artists may be placed on a waitlist until the final jury. The final jury will be the first week in July.
Application deadline is June 30, 2026.
This Madison, Indiana autumn festival brings more than 40,000 guests in search of uniquely handcrafted fine arts and crafts. The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art is held at the end of September. Exhibitor amenities include booth sitters, indoor exhibitor hospitality area with restrooms, breakfast and snacks, as well as friendly volunteers. Our planning committee and coordinator work year long to create a festival that appeals to a large diverse number of guests and artists.
EARLY JURY OPTION: We will hold an early jury review the first week in March. Apply by March 1st to be a part of the early jury. Some artists may be placed on a waitlist until the final jury. The final jury will be the first week in July.
Application deadline is June 30, 2026.
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General Information
The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art – September 26, 2026 - September 27, 2026.
Festival hours are 10 am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
200 fine artists and craftspeople from all 50 states are invited to the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art. The festival happens in Historic Downtown Madison on tree-lined neighborhood streets overlooking the Ohio River area. Artist booths will line Broadway, Elm, Vine and Vaughn Streets along the downtown river area.
The festival showcases high-quality original art from the following eligible categories: painting (2D artists may sell prints but must include originals), drawing, photography, sculpture, weaving, folk art, jewelry, fiber, wood, baskets, clay, glass, paper, printmaking, mixed media, and leather. The number of artists in each category is limited to protect the integrity of the show. (Individual consideration of a media not listed may be given upon request.)
Only work of the quality and type illustrated in submitted digital prints may be exhibited. All work must be handmade and individually designed by the artist. Multiples of the same general design must be signed by the artist. Nudes in product is prohibited. Items made from kitwork or patterns and items manufactured or mass-produced are not allowed. The Chautauqua committee reserves the right to remove unsuitable and unjuried works at the time of the festival.
EARLY JURY OPTION: We will hold an early jury review the first week in March. Apply by March 1st to be a part of the early jury. Some artists may be placed on a waitlist until the final jury. The final jury will be the first week in July.
Admission is free, and this outdoor event is held rain or shine. Pets are not allowed in the show site. (service animals are always welcome)
The Chautauqua Festival of Art values the hand and mind of the artist. The work displayed at the Festival must be hand made and come from the mind of the artist, not through the use of AI. If the jury has questions or concerns about your process, we may reach out with further questions and request documentation of your process.
Festival hours are 10 am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
200 fine artists and craftspeople from all 50 states are invited to the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art. The festival happens in Historic Downtown Madison on tree-lined neighborhood streets overlooking the Ohio River area. Artist booths will line Broadway, Elm, Vine and Vaughn Streets along the downtown river area.
The festival showcases high-quality original art from the following eligible categories: painting (2D artists may sell prints but must include originals), drawing, photography, sculpture, weaving, folk art, jewelry, fiber, wood, baskets, clay, glass, paper, printmaking, mixed media, and leather. The number of artists in each category is limited to protect the integrity of the show. (Individual consideration of a media not listed may be given upon request.)
Only work of the quality and type illustrated in submitted digital prints may be exhibited. All work must be handmade and individually designed by the artist. Multiples of the same general design must be signed by the artist. Nudes in product is prohibited. Items made from kitwork or patterns and items manufactured or mass-produced are not allowed. The Chautauqua committee reserves the right to remove unsuitable and unjuried works at the time of the festival.
EARLY JURY OPTION: We will hold an early jury review the first week in March. Apply by March 1st to be a part of the early jury. Some artists may be placed on a waitlist until the final jury. The final jury will be the first week in July.
Admission is free, and this outdoor event is held rain or shine. Pets are not allowed in the show site. (service animals are always welcome)
The Chautauqua Festival of Art values the hand and mind of the artist. The work displayed at the Festival must be hand made and come from the mind of the artist, not through the use of AI. If the jury has questions or concerns about your process, we may reach out with further questions and request documentation of your process.
Application Requirements
- All work MUST be original and of exhibitor's own crafting; NO BUY/RESELL; Commercial or imported items, items made from kits or green-ware, or mass-produced items are NOT accepted. Any person exhibiting arts/crafts that have any resemblance to such items are subject to immediate dismissal from the show.
- Artisans, not a representative, must exhibit and be present with their work during the complete show from 10am through 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Partners listed on application are not allowed to be here in place of the artist of record. Agents for artists, including dealers, frame shops and galleries are not allowed.
- Prints and mechanical offset reproductions (e.g., calendars, note cards, stationery) are allowed, but intent to display them must be clearly stated on the application. Prints must be properly signed and numbered, and prints/reproductions may not comprise more than 25% of the display. (This restriction is not applicable to artwork produced via traditional printmaking techniques (e.g., serigraphy, etching, lithography, etc.).
- No single day entries will be accepted
- Booth structure and displays must not exceed limits of assigned space
- If for any reason the artist cannot attend the show after being accepted, the artist must notify the Madison Chautauqua in writing or by phone before the show opens if artist wishes to be invited back. Refund requests must be submitted prior to August 1, 2025.
- Exhibitors may not share booth space unless they have submitted a joint application and have been accepted as such, nor may they sublet or apportion space to anyone else.
- There is no rain site or date. The show will open, rain or shine. (Bring sufficient protections.)
- The show is along the river and can become quite windy. Tent must be appropriately anchored.
- Artists must cover displays and products overnight. Festival does supply overnight security but is not responsible for any lose or stolen of items.
- Street jurors will circulate at random during the show to ensure that all work shown is in compliance with these guidelines. As well as jury on-site for the next year's festival.
- ELECTRICITY IS NOT AVAILABLE. Generators are NOT permitted. However, battery-powered lighting is acceptable.
- All tents must be white in color. No logos or branding is allowed on the tent.
- Anyone who engages in a verbal or physical altercation with festival staff or volunteers may be escorted out of the event and will not be invited back to the festival the next year.
- Madison Chautauqua is publicized and advertised with television, national magazines, brochures, posters, radio and regional newspapers.
- On-site jury during the event by panel and photographers is required for re-entry. If we may use photo/video of your product in promoting the show, check box on application.
- Photo I.D. required at check-in
- NO PETS allowed in show footprint. (of course, service animals are always welcome)
- The work displayed at the Festival must be hand made and come from the mind of the artist, not through the use of AI. If the jury has questions or concerns about your process, we may reach out with further questions and request documentation of your process.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
325
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
75
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
125
Booth Information
All booth spaces are outdoor.
Booth spaces are 10’ x 15’ and fee is $375
Booth spaces are for artists and craftsmen exhibiting their own work. (Artists making same item with partner may share a booth.)
Large booths of 10’ x 20’ available for $450
Corner space available for additional $75
Two open sided booth available for additional $75
Half Corner booth available for additional $50
Each artist is responsible for paying Indiana State Sales Tax to the Indiana Department of Revenue. Log onto https://www.in.gov/dor/online-services/intime-tax-center/.
Artist and Craftsman must furnish their own tent and any other booth set-up needed (including manpower needed for setup/teardown).
All tents must be white in color. No logos or branding is allowed on the tent.
Exhibitors are required to clean up their area before leaving. No stakes may be driven into the pavement. Shims may be needed.
Exhibitors display at their own risk. The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art, the City of Madison, VisitMadison, Inc nor the Chautauqua Committee are not responsible for damage, theft, loss or injury. Each exhibitor must provide his/her own insurance.
Booth check-in and set-up may begin on the Friday, the day before the event (unless otherwise specified). Each street is assigned a time that will be emailed to artists prior to event. Vehicles will have to be out of the show area by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, the day of the event. Limited security will be provided overnight and streets will be closed to traffic at that time. Booth break down can take place once festival coordinator has deemed it safe for guests on Sunday, the last day of the event.
EXHIBIT SPACE: Returning exhibitors will be given preferred booth space whenever possible; new artists will be placed in remaining booths after previous exhibitor spaces are assigned. Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs of the physically handicapped.
Booth fees are due August 1, 2026 and can be paid after notification of acceptance. Once booth fess have been paid, booth # will be assigned. Booth payments must be made through Zapplication with a credit card/Paypal or by sending a Check or Money order into our office.
The address is: Madison Chautauqua 601 W. First St., Madison, IN 47250. If your check is returned it cancels your spot in the 2026 show, and a fee will be assessed.
Booth spaces are 10’ x 15’ and fee is $375
Booth spaces are for artists and craftsmen exhibiting their own work. (Artists making same item with partner may share a booth.)
Large booths of 10’ x 20’ available for $450
Corner space available for additional $75
Two open sided booth available for additional $75
Half Corner booth available for additional $50
Each artist is responsible for paying Indiana State Sales Tax to the Indiana Department of Revenue. Log onto https://www.in.gov/dor/online-services/intime-tax-center/.
Artist and Craftsman must furnish their own tent and any other booth set-up needed (including manpower needed for setup/teardown).
All tents must be white in color. No logos or branding is allowed on the tent.
Exhibitors are required to clean up their area before leaving. No stakes may be driven into the pavement. Shims may be needed.
Exhibitors display at their own risk. The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art, the City of Madison, VisitMadison, Inc nor the Chautauqua Committee are not responsible for damage, theft, loss or injury. Each exhibitor must provide his/her own insurance.
Booth check-in and set-up may begin on the Friday, the day before the event (unless otherwise specified). Each street is assigned a time that will be emailed to artists prior to event. Vehicles will have to be out of the show area by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, the day of the event. Limited security will be provided overnight and streets will be closed to traffic at that time. Booth break down can take place once festival coordinator has deemed it safe for guests on Sunday, the last day of the event.
EXHIBIT SPACE: Returning exhibitors will be given preferred booth space whenever possible; new artists will be placed in remaining booths after previous exhibitor spaces are assigned. Every effort will be made to accommodate special needs of the physically handicapped.
Booth fees are due August 1, 2026 and can be paid after notification of acceptance. Once booth fess have been paid, booth # will be assigned. Booth payments must be made through Zapplication with a credit card/Paypal or by sending a Check or Money order into our office.
The address is: Madison Chautauqua 601 W. First St., Madison, IN 47250. If your check is returned it cancels your spot in the 2026 show, and a fee will be assessed.
Refund Policy
If for any reason the artist cannot attend the show after being accepted, the artist must notify the Madison Chautauqua in writing or by phone before the show opens if artist wishes to be invited back.
Refund requests must be submitted prior to August 1, 2026 for full refund of paid booth fees. Refund requests received after this date will be reviewed and voted upon by the planning committee.
Refund requests must be submitted prior to August 1, 2026 for full refund of paid booth fees. Refund requests received after this date will be reviewed and voted upon by the planning committee.
Additional Fees
Open Sides Booth - 10 x 20 (Center of Broadway St.) Endcap: $600
Open Sides Booth - 10 x 20 (Center of Broadway St.): $525
Open Sides Booth - 10 x 15 (Center of Broadway St.) Endcap: $525
Booth - 10 x 20: $450
Open Sides Booth - 10 x 15 (Center of Broadway St.): $450
Standard Booth - 10 x 15 : $375
Corner Addition: $75
Half Corner Addition: $50
RV Parking: $100
Terms to Apply
Jury fee: $25
