Crystal Bridges Museum Art Fair 2026

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is proud to announce its third annual art fair, taking place from October 3-4, 2026, in Bentonville, Arkansas. This fair offers a unique and elevated experience compared to other regional craft fairs. This event goes beyond just showcasing art – it creates an immersive environment that highlights high-quality, curated works from both local and national artists. By being hosted on the Crystal Bridges campus, a renowned cultural institution, we elevate the event to a higher level of sophistication and accessibility, attracting art enthusiasts and collectors who may not typically attend traditional craft fairs. In doing so, we fill the gap of providing a refined, artistic platform that fosters deeper connections, supports artists at all stages of their careers, and brings the community together in an inspiring and dynamic way. 

The art fair will represent modern and traditional artists. Artists from across the United States will be selected to showcase their fine artworks in various mediums, including ceramics, wood, textiles, glass, drawing, painting, mixed media, jewelry, photography, metal/iron, and sculpture.  

The CBMAA Art Fair is the ONLY art fair affiliated with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary.

CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM ART FAIR 
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

NEW LOCATION
This year the Art Fair will be hosted at the Heartland Whole Health Institute on the front lawn, inside the ballroom, and back patio. This is on the Crystal Bridges Campus, just up the hill from the museum itself at 850 Museum Way. This location and terrain will be easier for both artists and guests to navigate, while still in proximity (5 min walk or a shuttle ride) to the museum itself.

EVENT SIZE 
100 exhibitors 
12,000+ attendees 

TIMELINE
Application Posted (Zapp Only): January 15, 2026 
Artist Application Deadline: June 5, 2026 
Artists Notified: June 16, 2026
Registration Deadline: July 1, 2026
Last Chance for 75% Refund: August 15, 2026 
Art Fair: October 3-4, 2026

SET-UP HOURS
Friday, October 2: 6 AM-6 PM 

ART FAIR HOURS
Saturday, October 3: 8:30-10 AM *Ticketed First Access*
Saturday, October 3: 10-6 PM 
Sunday, October 4: 10-4 PM 
 
MUSEUM HOURS
Friday, October 3: 10 am – 8 pm   
Saturday, October 4: 10 am – 6 pm   
Sunday, October 5: 10 am – 6 pm 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The following rules and policies ensure fairness to all participating artists and festival guests. Failure to comply will result in immediate removal from the CBMAA Art Fair. 

• Artwork must be handmade, skillfully created, and produced by the artist. 
• Artists may show work only in categories in which they were accepted. 
• Offset prints will be allowed but must be limited to 20% of the artist’s inventory and be placed in a bin or portfolio with each item marked "Reproduction”.
• All work must be for sale. 
• One-of-a-kind, multiples, series or limited editions must be signed and numbered by the artist.
• The art must be an original concept thought of and created by the artist.
• Artists must comply with the logistic rules that will be sent in the Artists Information Packet after acceptance.  
• Artists must personally tend to their exhibits throughout the CBMAA Art Fair.  
• Artists who sell out their work will be required to keep their booths in place and intact until the end of the fair due to limited loading and unloading area
• Service animals are allowed on a leash and are the owner’s responsibility. 
• CBMAA reserves the right to remove any artist from the present or future CBMAA Art Fair for breach of the written participation rules, the laws of the State of Arkansas, or for disruptive/abusive behavior.  
• Artists are expected to comply with all regulations and respect artistry standards.  
• Artists should offer a range of prices for their work. Providing a detailed description helps clarify what was juried into the show and accurately represents the pieces that will be displayed in your booth. Additionally, offering a wide range of pricing satisfies a broader audience.
• Space assignments will be made by the CBMAA Art Fair Committee on a first come, first served based on the date the booth fee is paid.  No artist may move their space assignment without prior approval.  Crystal Bridges reserves the right to make booth assignment changes as deemed necessary.

ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES

1. Ceramics  
2. Drawing/Painting  
3. Jewelry   
4. Glass 
5. Wood   
6. Metal/Iron  
7. Photography   
8. Textile  
9. Sculpture
10. Mixed Media 
11. Digital Art

ARTISTS MAY NOT

• Artists may not exhibit or sell work that is not represented in submitted jury images.  
• Artists may not exhibit or sell work by other artists.  
• Imported items and mass-produced work is not allowed. 
• Artists may not exhibit in any other art fair in Northwest Arkansas on the weekend of October 3-4, 2026, if they are participating at the CBMAA Arts Fair.  
• Exhibitors may not display ribbons or awards from any other or previous shows.

JURY PROCESS  
Artists will be selected by a jury of arts professionals. Jurying will take place shortly after the application closes. Artists will be notified on June 16, 2026. 

JURY DETAILS 
The jury is comprised of three art professionals.

The jury will review applications in a “blind jury” process and will view each artist's set of five images individually on a monitor, arranged by medium. A well-balanced show of artistic excellence, quality, creativity, and overall impression of work are the criteria for the selection of exhibiting artists. An additional number of artists may be retained for a waiting list of alternates based on the scores received in their category. Decisions of the jury panel are final.  

Jurying is scheduled for June 8-12, 2026.
 
The integrity of the jury panel review process is paramount to our credibility among artists and to our larger success in the community. The CBMAA Art Fair committee supports the jury review process and decisions made by the panel and will not, as a normal course of business, circumvent or alter these selections. It must, however, reserve the right to make specific changes and to determine the final composition of the show.  The CBMAA Executive Director, acting on the Board of Directors’ behalf, has final authority to make such adjustments as deemed necessary and the right to invite up to 5 artists.  CBMAA Art Fair committee reserves the right to reject any application if it does not comply with the rules outlined in the application process.  

WAITLIST
If you are not accepted into the CBMAA Art Fair, but your jury scores are high, we may place you on a waitlist in case a selected artist is unable to attend the event. If you are on the waitlist, you will be notified of your status. Waitlisted artists will be contacted as soon as possible when space becomes available up to two weeks before the CBMAA Art Fair.

Considerations about Your Booth Image:
Artists must submit five images and a short bio and price range of the work to be showcased at the event including a set-up booth shot. All images must be in .jpg, .tiff, or .png, high resolution file. *Any images, bio, and Q&A within Zapp may be used by the CBMAA Marketing Department to promote the Crystal Bridges Art Fair. 

• We prefer to see an image of your outdoor booth set-up.
• The booth image must be recent – within the last 3 years.
• If you do not have a current outdoor booth image, please provide a description explaining the details of your outdoor booth set-up.  
• If your indoor/outdoor booth set-up is the same (with the exception of a canopy tent) then simply state that in the description.
• We want to see what your booth will look like onsite at the CBMAA Art Fair (not the structure but presentation).
• Booth images may not be created in a computer program or manipulated, enhanced or otherwise affected by a computer in any way.
• Shows the jury your body of work, provides dimension and scale, shows overall continuity and presentation of your current body of work
• Note: The booth image is a reference. You are not juried in for ALL work represented in the booth image.  Your overall work is being evaluated based on the four images provided.   

SPACES

• Artists are to provide their own booth/white tent, walls/racks and/or tables, display units, lighting, and other fixtures to display their work in an outdoor environment. 
• Artists located inside must use appropriate professional display systems like pro panels or heavy mesh walls. Your setup should be both professional and robust, ensuring safety and functionality.
• For those with outside location, please note you may be on grass or concrete. Location may have a slight slope.   
• 10x10 and 10x20 Spaces available (double space outside only)  
• Electric can be provided for an add-on fee, not all booth locations have the capacity for power, so it is important that power is requested and paid for in advance.  
• Corner location available for an add-on fee 
• Artists should be prepared for inclement weather with rain covers, tie-downs, and weights. Anchors are not permitted on any surface, including the lawns.
• Generators are not permitted.
• 24-hour security is provided however, CBMAA is not responsible for any damage that may occur to work, equipment or other material due to rain, wind, fire, theft, etc.
• Load-In and Load-Out
  • Load-In will be on Friday, October 2^nd
    • Artists will be sent a digital form to complete in advance. This form is required to be completed to help the Art Fair team schedule each artist's load in time.
    • Artists will receive their scheduled load-in time the week of September 7^th.
  • Load-out will commence immediately following the end of the art fair on October 4^th.
  • No artists will be permitted to load-in prior to their scheduled time on October 2^nd, and all aspects of an artist’s booth must be removed by end of day on October 4^th

BOOTH FEES
Pricing 
10x10: $600 Outside, $850 Inside 
10x20: $1200 Outside Only 
OPTIONAL electric add-on: $75 (limited availability) 
OPTIONAL corner location: $75 (limited availability) 
 
ARTIST AMENITIES  
24-Hour Security  
Volunteer support 
Booth sitters 
Artists Lounge well stocked with snacks and drinks  
Weather controlled space (inside only) 
Assistance with load-in and loud-out
 
AWARDS
Awards will be announced on Saturday, October 3, 2026. 

Awards are given based on the artist’s overall presentation and are determined by on-site judging held on the first morning of the Art Fair. Artists must be present to be considered for the awards. 2026 Award winners will be automatically accepted to participate in 2027 unless the artist’s medium changes.
 
Best of Show - $2500 (1 Award Winner)
People’s Choice - $1000 (1 Award Winner)
Best in Category 2D - $500
Best in Category 3D - $500
Best in Category Jewelry/Wearables - $500

SALES AND SALES TAX
Artists retain all revenue from the sale of their work and are responsible for state and local sales tax. The artist is responsible for collecting and safekeeping their money and property and the festival assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen money. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will not provide change for the Artist. The artist is responsible for collecting and reporting all taxes for sales made during the festival and reporting them as being sold in Bentonville, AR. The sales tax in Bentonville is 9.5%.  *Form will be provided by CBMAA and must be completed within two weeks of the conclusion of Art Fair and sent to the Arkansas Department of Finance*

INSURANCE REQUIREMENT 
Required. Upon Acceptance, artist(s) must provide CBMAA Art Fair with an appropriate Certificate of Insurance, naming CBMAA Art Fair as an additional insured pursuant to a general liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000. Artists may not set up or exhibit until the approved certificate is received by the art fair staff. Proof of insurance must be submitted at the time of registration.

Application Fee: Non-refundable  
Booth Fee Refund Policy: By August 15 for a 75% Refund  
No refunds after August 16, 2026. Any exceptions are at the discretion of the CBMAA Art Fair Committee.