Fairs/Festivals
Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival 2026
Downers Grove, Illinois
Application Fee: $35
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival will be celebrating 49 years this fall. The festival is held in the middle of award-winning, historic, Downtown Downers Grove which is located 22 miles from Chicago’s loop. Direct access to the BNSF rail line brings patrons from around the region and the City of Chicago to the festival. The festival is currently scheduled to be held in the middle of Main Street. Live music, boutiques, cafes and a children’s art area will complement the high caliber of art that will be present at the show. The show is a community favorite!
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General Information
Eligibility
Ceramics, drawings, fiber, glass, graphics, handmade and hand painted furniture, jewelry, metal work, mixed media, paintings (watercolor, oil, acrylic), photography, pottery, printing, sculpture, or items of original design and exceptional quality.
Prints
Lithograph, serigraph and similar properly signed and numbered works must be limited to 10% of work displayed. Commercial prints of artist original works may be shown in flip bins only and must be clearly identified.
Jewelry
All works displayed must be original in design, assembled and completed by the artist. Purchased gems may be used in original designs. No strung beads (stock beads) are allowed. Absolutely no prefabricated or pre-assembled jewelry is allowed in pieces displayed. High quality beads made from gold, ceramic, paper, etc. may be used.
Photographs
Prints must be original and hand-printed by the displaying photographer alone. No black and white or colored copies using any non-photographic or commercial methods are allowed.
Fees
Jury Fee
$35.00 per media
Booth Fee
Standard 10x10 booth = $250.00
Procedures:
Complete the application through ZAPPlication. This site is free to participating artists. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have through the application process.
Attn: Fine Arts Festival
933A Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
• Exhibitor booth fee of $250.00 is due once accepted in the show. Payment through PayPal for $250 per 10” x 10” booth space, by May 28, 2026 (If by check please mail check for $250.00 made payable to Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation). Double booth spaces are limited and provided on a first come, first served basis.
• Cancellations before or on June 16, 2026 will be provided a 75% refund. Cancellations on or after June 17, 2026 will not be refunded.
Awards
Cash awards are given based on "Total Board" exhibit. A $500.00 Best of Show will be awarded. Two additional $100 Awards of Excellence will also be awarded.
Artists Amenities:
Marketing/Advertising/Publicity
The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival marketing campaign includes digital and print advertising, newspaper articles, magazine ads, eblasts, press releases, banners, and signs. If you would like to be included in our press releases, please enclose a personal biography and/or artist statement.
Upon selection to exhibit, you will receive further information regarding the festival. A free program including artist name, media, and booth location will be distributed the day of the event to attendees.
Artist Statement:
Please submit a statement describing your art, brief description of the technique and any other information you would like regarding your art in 150 words. This statement may be used in press releases and/or other means of promoting the festival
Ceramics, drawings, fiber, glass, graphics, handmade and hand painted furniture, jewelry, metal work, mixed media, paintings (watercolor, oil, acrylic), photography, pottery, printing, sculpture, or items of original design and exceptional quality.
Prints
Lithograph, serigraph and similar properly signed and numbered works must be limited to 10% of work displayed. Commercial prints of artist original works may be shown in flip bins only and must be clearly identified.
Jewelry
All works displayed must be original in design, assembled and completed by the artist. Purchased gems may be used in original designs. No strung beads (stock beads) are allowed. Absolutely no prefabricated or pre-assembled jewelry is allowed in pieces displayed. High quality beads made from gold, ceramic, paper, etc. may be used.
Photographs
Prints must be original and hand-printed by the displaying photographer alone. No black and white or colored copies using any non-photographic or commercial methods are allowed.
Fees
Jury Fee
$35.00 per media
Booth Fee
Standard 10x10 booth = $250.00
Procedures:
Complete the application through ZAPPlication. This site is free to participating artists. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have through the application process.
- Provide payment of $35.00 for the jury fee through PayPal to evenezia@downtowndg.org.
- Make checks payable to: Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation (DGDMC) There will be a $25.00 charge for NSF checks. Mail to:
Attn: Fine Arts Festival
933A Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Five (5) digital images uploaded – four (4) of your current work and one (1) of your typical booth set up. Samples must be of work no more than three years old. Please provide title, sizing and pricing for the art samples.
- All applications must be submitted or postmarked by April 1, 2026. Late applications will be viewed only if an additional processing fee ($15) is included and the application is received prior to final jurying. Total late application fee is $45.00.
• Exhibitor booth fee of $250.00 is due once accepted in the show. Payment through PayPal for $250 per 10” x 10” booth space, by May 28, 2026 (If by check please mail check for $250.00 made payable to Downers Grove Downtown Management Corporation). Double booth spaces are limited and provided on a first come, first served basis.
• Cancellations before or on June 16, 2026 will be provided a 75% refund. Cancellations on or after June 17, 2026 will not be refunded.
Awards
Cash awards are given based on "Total Board" exhibit. A $500.00 Best of Show will be awarded. Two additional $100 Awards of Excellence will also be awarded.
Artists Amenities:
- Complimentary bottled water for artists
- Complimentary coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings
- Indoor bathroom
- Booth sitting
- Overnight Security
Marketing/Advertising/Publicity
The Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival marketing campaign includes digital and print advertising, newspaper articles, magazine ads, eblasts, press releases, banners, and signs. If you would like to be included in our press releases, please enclose a personal biography and/or artist statement.
Upon selection to exhibit, you will receive further information regarding the festival. A free program including artist name, media, and booth location will be distributed the day of the event to attendees.
Artist Statement:
Please submit a statement describing your art, brief description of the technique and any other information you would like regarding your art in 150 words. This statement may be used in press releases and/or other means of promoting the festival
Application Requirements
Rules & Regulations
SE SI
APPLICATION ON REVER
- Artist must provide his or her own booth set up (tent, tables, display boards, etc.). Artists are required to display under a 10' x 10' white tent. Tables and tents are NOT available for rental at the event.
- Tents must be weighted properly.
- Tents must be white and fire retardant.
- No electricity will be provided.
- All artwork must be presented in a finished manner. Works should be framed and/or mounted for display.
- Artists themselves must be present throughout the festival. Booths may not be shutdown prior to the end of the festival.
- Display must not extend beyond booth space, as to maintain a 15 foot fire lane as well as not obstruct the flow of traffic.
- Artist set up will be Saturday, Sept. 12th at 6:30am.
- Artist must set up by 9:30 a.m. and open on September 12 & 13, 2026.
- Artist must be packed up and off Main Street by 7:30pm, September 12, 2026.
- Each artist is responsible for collecting and remitting local sales tax to the State’s Department of Revenue as required by law.
- All work must be original and the result of an original idea or inspiration.
- No art produced by use of commercial kits, molds, patterns, or plans permitted.
- The committee reserves the right to exclude any exhibitor whose work is not consistent with the standards of eligibility.
- No smoking or vaping in the booth.
- Judges will be present and any violators will be asked to leave the show with no refund of booth fees.
- Further details on procedures will be sent to you as the festival date nears.
- Artists must be able to provide proof of insurance (naming the Village of Downers Grove, its officers, agents and employees as an additional insured) or sign and notarize a hold harmless agreement for the Village of Downers Grove (to be provided).
SE SI
APPLICATION ON REVER
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
90
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
55
Booth Information
Fees
Jury Fee
$35.00 per media
Booth Fee
Standard 10x10 booth = $250.00
Artist Setup:
Jury Fee
$35.00 per media
Booth Fee
Standard 10x10 booth = $250.00
Artist Setup:
- Artist set up will be Saturday, Sept. 12th at 6:30am.
- Artist must set up by 9:30 a.m. on September 12 & 13, 2026.
- Artist must provide his or her own booth set up (tent, tables, display boards, etc.).
- Artists are required to display under a 10' x 10' white tent. Tables and tents are NOT available for rental at the event.
- Tents must be weighted properly.
- Tents must be white and fire retardant.
Refund Policy
Our jurors want to see the Downers Grove Fine Arts Festival remain one of the best shows in the State of Illinois with a wide range of individual art and excellent quality. Space is limited. There is a minimum number of artists needed in order to proceed with the Festival.
- If the minimum number of artists has not been reached by July 10, 2026 the event will be cancelled and a full refund of booth fees paid to date will be issued. Jury fees will not be refunded.
- Cancellations before or on June 16, 2026 will be provided a 75% refund. Cancellations after June 17, 2026 will not be refunded.
Additional Fees
Double 10x10 Booth Fee: $500
Single 10x10 Booth Fee: $250
Terms to Apply
Application Fee: $35