Fairs/Festivals
Akron Art Expo 2026
Akron, Ohio
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 Akron Arts Expo is a nationally recognized juried fine arts & fine crafts show with over 100 artists. With ribbon and cash awards, great food, interactive children's activities, and entertainment for the entire family. The show is located in a natural park setting at Hardesty Park on the west side of Akron.
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General Information
Application Deadlines
Registration fee will be $10.00. The registration fee covers the online application process and is non-refundable.
Amenities
Artists are responsible for choosing the category that best fits their medium. Below are the categories and a brief definition.
Artist Check-in will take place at pavilion. Included with the Accepted Artist information will be more information about signing up for a check in time for Friday and Saturday morning.
- Only online applications will be accepted. We will accept 2026 artist applications from February 1 through midnight March 31 (EST).
- Acceptance/Rejection notices will be emailed by May 1, 2026, along with additional Arts Expo information.
- Booth numbers will be assigned by June 17, 2026.
Registration fee will be $10.00. The registration fee covers the online application process and is non-refundable.
Amenities
- Akron Arts Expo is a juried show.
- Spacious 14 x 15 spaces.
- Vehicles allowed on grounds for load in/out (weather permitting).
- Artist Breakfast provided on Saturday & Sunday (1 ticket per meal).
- Helpful staff & volunteers.
- Free onsite artist parking.
- 24 hour onsite security throughout set-up and show.
- Booth sitters
- Cash awards.
Artists are responsible for choosing the category that best fits their medium. Below are the categories and a brief definition.
- Ornamental-Jewelry and decorative objects. Included in the category is ceramics, glass, jewelry, metalsmithing and other.
- 2-Dimensional-Does not break the plane. Included in this category is drawing, graphics, painting, digital photography, traditional photography and other.
- Functional-Having a utility. Included in this category is ceramic, fiber/textiles, leather, wood and other.
- 3-Dimensional-Having subtance in all directions. Included in this category is metal, mixed media, sculpture, wood and other.
Artist Check-in will take place at pavilion. Included with the Accepted Artist information will be more information about signing up for a check in time for Friday and Saturday morning.
- We do our best to help artists get their vehicles as close to their booths as possible for load in/out, but during high traffic times, artists must be prepared to move items by dolly if needed. Dollying may also be required, for all, if the grounds are not passable due to the weather.
- Show Auditor-Akron Arts Expo enjoys a reputation for attracting and showcasing a varying artistic community. To uphold the integrity, authenticity and originality of the art work we have a Show Auditor onsite during set-up and some of the show. The Show Auditor will be observing and helping to evaluate any questions that may arise such as work is not what was juried in, or any work that does not meet the rules/guidelines of the show.
- Exhibitors are responsible for keeping their assigned areas free of debris. Akron Arts Expo staff will work with exhibitors to help remove garbage and to keep the public areas clean.
- Vehicles & Parking-All vehicles and artists are not permitted in the artist area after 7:00 pm Friday evening. Vehicles will not be permitted on grounds until 7:00 am Saturday morning. Please arrange your schedule accordingly. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be no vehicles permitted on the grounds during show hours. No exceptions. Special parking areas are designated for campers, RV’s, handicapped and other exceptionally large vehicles. You must display your parking pass at all times in the front window of your vehicle. Violators will be issued a parking citation and/or be towed. Please be considerate of your booth neighbors and do not block drive through areas.
- Security-There will be security on site during show hours and overnight from Friday, July 24th-Sunday, July 26th between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 am. You are responsible to secure your booth each night. The Akron Arts Expo is not responsible for any damage, loss or physical injury during the above hours or during the Akron Arts Expo.
- Food-Breakfast will be served onsite Saturday and Sunday from 7:30-9:30 am. There is also onsite concessions during show hours.
- Awards-Judging will begin on Saturday, July 25th at 11:00 AM. To make the judging process run smoothly, please have your booth number clearly displayed on the front of your booth, in the top right corner (as you face the booth). Award winners will be notified on Sunday morning by show staff. Judges will be scoring based on the following criteria: 1. Originality, execution and creativity 2. Design 3. Workmanship/quality 4. Display of media 5. All items of sale represent media for their category.
- Sales Tax-Artists are responsible for collecting Ohio sales tax and payment thereof to the state.
- Cleanup-All exhibitors are responsible to clean up their site prior to leaving each night. Small trash bags will be part of your welcome packet. Please use the trash containers throughout the park or the two large dumpsters at both ends of the park to dispose of those bags or any other trash you have. If you need a special trash pick-up or need additional garbage bags, contact the main shelter. General trash clean-up will be handled by Akron Arts Expo staff throughout the event.
Application Requirements
Artwork
- New and past exhibitors must complete an Akron Arts Expo application, meet stated requirements and be juried each year.
- 2025 Award Winners, including honorable mention, are automatically accepted on application only but award winners must still complete the online application and submit photos of their work.
- All work must be original and completely finished. Artwork displayed in booth must be comprised of no less than 60% originals and 40% reproductions.
- The Artist who designs the work is principal of the business and must be present to show their work. No dealers or sales representatives are allowed. Picture ID will be required at check-in. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Work produced with commercial kits, molds patterns, prefabricated forms, craft kits or commercial products will not be permitted.
- Applications will be screened according to originality, technique, craftsmanship, design and booth display.
- Exhibitors may only show work typified by submitted images. Akron Art Expo will exercise its right to reject items during the show that are not the quality of media submitted in the application.
- Exhibitors are welcome to demonstrate their media at their booth.
- No more than two artists may collaborate on work submitted under the same application. Shared booths for non-collaborative artists are not permitted.
Jury Process
- Jurying is done through a blind jury process. Each juror scores independently of each other and then their combined scores is the final score for the artist.
- Each artist is scored from 1 to 10 based on originality, execution, creativity, design, workmanship/quality, display of media and all items of sale represent media for their category.
- Jury scores are combined and invitations are issued to those that have the highest scores in each category while taking into account the need to have a well-balanced show.
- A wait list is also created based on jury scores. As spaces become available they are filled from this list.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
180
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
120
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
21
Booth Information
- Booth fees are $225 if paid before May 20, 2026. After May 20th the booth fee is $240. All booth fees must be paid by June 1, 2026 to ensure your spot in the show.
- Refunds will not be issued after June 1 if an artist cancels. Prior to June 1 a refund will be issued minus processing fees.
- Booth Spaces & Tents-All exhibitors must have a white or off white tent that fits into their designated space. Safety of our artist and patrons are very important to us. Since this is an outdoor show, tents must be able to withstand normal weather conditions. Tents must be weighted properly and tent stakes are allowed. If there is a question about the condition of the tent, Akron Arts Expo staff reserves the right to evaluate the situation and ask for modifications for the tent or removal of the tent all together. Refunds will not be issued.
- Booth size is 14’ x 15’. All exhibitors must provide their own set-up supplies: tent (your own or rented), tables, chairs, shelves, backdrops, etc. The booths will be distanced from each other to allow for distance and traffic flow around the booths. Please align your tent with the front of your space. Upon arrival, there will be 4 corner flags around each booth space and 1 center flag with your booth number. After setting up your booth, return all 5 flags to the main shelter check-in area. If you need assistance or have any questions, staff members will be on site to help. Please note: If your booth is not set-up properly, Akron Arts Expo staff will move your booth to the correct position. The Akron Arts Expo is not responsible for any lost or damaged items. We will be sure to call before we move your booth in hopes that you can come back to the grounds and re-position your booth.
- All booth spaces, tents must be placed along the front line of each space.
- Booth display: Artwork displayed in booth is to be comprised of no less than 60% original work and 40% reproduction.
- Load In-Vehicles are allowed on show grounds, weather permitting, during load in on Friday from 8:00 am-7:00 pm. All vehicles and artists must be out of the artist area and in proper parking areas by 7:00 pm on Friday. Vehicles are allowed back on the grounds Saturday morning from 7:00-9:30 am.
- Load out-vehicles are allowed in the artist area after 5:00 pm on Sunday. All artists, supplies and vehicles must be off park grounds by 9:00 pm Sunday.
Refund Policy
Refunds will not be issued after June 1 if an artist cancels. Prior to June 1 a refund will be issued minus processing fees.
Additional Fees
Booth Fee: $225
Saturday Guest Breakfast: $10
Sunday Guest Breakfast: $10
Saturday Artist Breakfast: $0
Sunday Artist Breakfast: $0
Terms to Apply