Golden Fine Arts Festival 2026 - 36th Annual - GOLDEN, CO

AT-A-GLANCE
Date:   Saturday & Sunday, August 15- 16, 2026

Location:  Golden, Colorado – Downtown Golden, Parfet Park

Web Address:  www.goldenfineartsfestival.org

Email: Jodi@goldenchamber.org

Attendance:  Free admission, traditionally attracts nearly 10,000 attendees over two days 

Applications: Accepted only via ZAPP® System.

Images: 4 images of work plus 1 booth display image is required. Artist name/identifying info cannot be included in any of the images. Please ensure that booth images do not show your name or business name. 

Application Fee: $45, non-refundable

Application Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026

Multiple Applications:  Artists may submit up to 3 applications that are in different media categories.

Jury:  Two jurors per category. Jurors are community Art professionals in their respective medium categories.

Artist Agreement:  All Artists must read and agree to the rules and regulations of the event.

Booth Fee:  $495 for single (10’ x 10’) booth space.  $950 for double (10’ x 20’) booth space (limited availability). $620 for corner booth (limited availability). 

Booth Sizes & Location:  A single booth is assumed, unless you specifically request a double booth.  Corner booths may be requested and will be assigned based on availability. If you are interested in a corner booth, you must request it.  Prior assignment to a corner booth, doesn't imply that you will receive one this year if invited to attend. Corner booths are $125 more than a non corner booth space. 

Liability Insurance:  All invited Artists are required to provide a Certificate of Additional Insured.  This is proof that you have liability insurance to cover you in the event of unforeseen circumstances.  If you are invited to attend, you will receive insurance detailed in your acceptance notice.  Short term event insurance policies are available to those who do not have insurance through art & craft insurance brokers.  Ask event organizer for more information if interested.

Awards:  $3000 cash, split between various art categories

Sales Tax: Artists will pay sales tax direct to the Golden Chamber of Commerce the week following the event via an online submittal portal.

Security:  24-hour security provided from set-up to tear down.

Load-in Access:  TBD

New for 2026!
Our event location has moved for 2026. Our event will now take place in the heart of Golden at the lovely Parfet Park. The event is now on top of grass (it was on asphalt). This will change Load In and Load Out details but we will work hard to ensure a smooth process for all artists that protects their work. Our new location allows for greater community visibility and also creates much-needed shade in the event space. 
 
REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility:  The event is open to individual or co-artists who will sell their original artwork.  Participating artists must be onsite during the festival.  The Festival does not allow proxies, artist representatives, etc.  No shared booths are allowed.  The Festival reserves the right to invite selected artists.  2025 First place, Best of Show and Best of Colorado winners will have their 2026 application fee waived, but still must go through the application process in order to have updated details on file. 

Images:  Five images are to be submitted for each application (limit of 3 applications).  Four images are to be of the individuals pieces of work.  One image must be of the booth display, showing overall presentation of represented artwork.  This booth display image is required.  NOTE: Images submitted with the application may not contain any Artist identifying information, such as personal or company names, descriptions or statements.  ANOTHER NOTE:  Applicant Artists agree that images that are submitted in the application may be used for event promotional purposes (posters, flyers, program, website, etc.)

Artist Statement:  A description of materials and technique that explains the body of work and a price range for the work.

Application Fee:  Each application that is submitted (limit of three) must be accompanied by the $45 application fee.  This fee is non-refundable - whether you are invited to participate or not.

Multiple Applications: Artists interested in showing work in more than one media category may submit up to three (3) different applications.  Please note - only work in the media categories in which the Artist is accepted may be exhibited at the event.

TIMELINE & IMPORTANT DATES
March 6, 2026 (Friday):  Applications Accepted via ZAPP – Artist application available online via www.goldenfineartsfestival.org.

April 13, 2026 (Monday):  Application Deadline – Artists must apply by this date.  

April 23-26, 2026:  Jurors Meet Virtually for Artist Selection

May 8, 2026 (Friday):  Artist Invitation Email Notification – all Artists will be notified by email of status (acceptance, not accepted or waitlist)

May 29, 2026 (Friday):  Artist Acceptance Deadline & Booth Fee Payment Due – Artist must accept invitation to participate by this date and pay in full for booth fee.

June 8th, 2026 (Monday):  Waitlist Artist Email Notification – Artists who were previously Waitlisted will be notified of any booth vacancies. 

 
***
If Accepted:
Artist Info Packets Emailed:
Includes booth assignment, parking info, load-in/set-up details and general event info.
Wednesday, July 31st, 2026

Artist Check-In & Set-Up:
Friday, August 14, 2026 | 6:00AM – 4:00PM 
Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 7:00AM – 9:00AM

Artist VIP Reception:
Friday, August 14, 2026 | 5:00PM - 7:00PM, LocationTBD

Event Hours:
Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Sunday, August 16, 2026| 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Artist Booth Tear Down: 
Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 5:00PM – 8:00PM



MEDIA CATEGORIES
Media categories are used to organize Artist images into logical, related groups for the jury’s selection process.  While a primary event objective is to produce a balanced show with showcases of both works of fine art and fine crafts, and diversity among media types, the Golden Fine Arts Festival does not have quotas by media category.  Event organizers reserve the right to change the media category you have applied to, if the category doesn’t fit our criteria based on your photos.

Ceramics:  All original clay and porcelain work (other than jewelry).  No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted.  If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each piece must be signed.
 
Fiber: All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry and papermaking.  This can be wearable or non-wearable.  No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted.  No factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist may be exhibited.
 
Glass:  Functional or decorative which are kiln-formed, or crafted by glass blowing, molding, lamp work or casting.  Works may be etched or engraved.  No forms of mass production or alterations of prefabricated objects (such as pressed wine bottles) are allowed.  This excludes jewelry made from glass.

Jewelry:  All jewelry whether produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials.

Mixed Media:  Usually three-dimensional work that incorporates more than one type of physical material.  Includes non-sculptural work at the discretion of the Artist.  Two-dimensional work should usually be submitted in the Two-Dimensional (2D) category.  *Note:  Wood artists, please apply in Mixed Media or Sculpture.

Painting:  Works created in oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.

Photography:  Photographic prints made from the Artist’s original image, which have been processed by that Artist, or under their direct supervision.  Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes.

Sculpture:  Three-dimensional original work created in any medium.  *Note:  Wood artists, please apply in Mixed Media or Sculpture.

Two-Dimensional (2D): Flat artwork which may combine physical materials such as drawings, pastels, graphics, print making and digital art)

*Note:  Wood artists, please apply in Mixed Media or Sculpture.


 
AWARDS
Awards will be presented on Sunday morning, August 16, 2026.  Cash awards will be given for 1^st and 2^nd Places in each category, Best of Show and Best of Colorado.  1^st Place winners, Best of Show and Best of Colorado will have their 2027 GFAF application fee waived, but must still fill out an application.


ARTIST AMENITIES
Artist VIP Reception admission for Artist & guest - Friday, August 14, 2026
Artist Hospitality Tent with shade, snacks and refreshments – All event hours
Booth Sitters for your comfort & convenience – as needed
24-hour security from Friday at 8am to Sunday at 5pm
Artist listing in the Golden Fine Arts Festival Guide
Artist profile on the Golden Fine Arts Festival website
Artist Welcome Packet – includes name badge, lanyard, booth sign, etc.

• The event is limited to 100 Artist booth spaces.  Artist booths are located on grass within a park.   Booth locations are pre-assigned at the event organizer’s discretion based on media categories, pedestrian traffic flow and overall event balance.
• Artists must provide or rent their own canopy tent and booth displays.  The event can provide tent and equipment rental supplier info upon request.  Tents must be fire-safe and be installed with at least 40 lbs of weight on each tent leg.  Tents with sides are highly recommended to protect items from weather elements.  Some booth spaces may have a very slight slope, so leveling devices may be necessary and are recommended.
• Come prepared!  Colorado weather can change quickly.  Artists should plan for rain, wind and Colorado bright sunshine!
• Electricity and water hookups are not available.
• Artist set-up and tear down must be completed within the designated time frame, due to the event permit and safety concerns.  
• Artists are required to maintain a presentable booth space – with all displays, chairs, and storage items contained within your booth or just behind it.  All trash is the responsibility of the Artist.
• Artists are not allowed to keep their pets at their booths during the festival.  Keep your furry friends at home or find other care for them. 
• Artists are responsible for securing all valuables, including all art. While there is on-site 24-hour security from set-up to tear down, the event organizers are not be responsible for theft, loss or damage to property or personal injury.
• Artists are responsible for the set-up and tear down of their own booth.  The event does not have the resources to assist.  If you need assistance with your booth, you are encouraged to plan ahead and find temporary staffing to assist.