Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival: 30th Anniversary October 2026 (American Craft Endeavors)

Sarasota, Florida

Non-refundable Jury Fee (APF): $20

Contact Information

American Craft Endeavors

Contact Email: info@artfestival.com

Contact Phone: 561-746-6615

Requirement Overview

Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
Submission Limit: 1

Media Requirements

Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
Total | Max: 4

Opportunity Summary

The event will take place in the vibrant Downtown Sarasota, specifically at 5 Points Park, situated at the intersection of Central and First Street. Sarasota is renowned for its stunning white sandy beaches, welcoming community, and charming architecture. This prime location ensures that the craft festival enjoys excellent visibility, making it an attractive destination for both residents and tourists alike.

General Information

Thank you for applying to American Craft Endeavors! We have an ongoing jury process and applications are juried in order of date received. We recommend that you apply early, as the show and/or categories could meet maximum allotment causing closures. Therefore, once the show and/or categories are closed, applicants are applying for the wait list only. Show dates and information are subject to change and will be announced immediately.

Upon receiving an invitation to participate in the show, you will need to submit a deposit/booth fee immediately to secure your space. Simply ACCEPTING on Zapp will not secure your space in the show. If invited, you cannot pay for our shows on Zapp; your invitation email will contain payment instructions. Please note that your invitation email may go to your SPAM folder, so please also check your Zapp show status.

Important Information:

Apply early!
Booth fee is $450.00
Deadline date = last day applications accepted
Invited? …Submit deposit/booth fee immediately!
Reminder: Accepting on Zapp does not secure space

Venue: 5 Points Park, on Central and First Street in Downtown Sarasota, FL
Public Admission: Free, no gate
Parking: Daytime Available for RVs and standard size vehicles
Spaces: 10x10, 10x15 and 10x20 booth spaces
Show Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
Set-Up: Saturday
Security: Overnight Security will be onsite
Promotion: American Craft Endeavors has a reputation of bringing out a high-end buying crowd to each of its events. For the Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival we will be working with the Sarasota Herald Tribune, WLTQ FM, Bradenton Herald, Pelican Press, Longboat Observer, Creative Loafing and Comcast Cable.

Mediums:
Candles
Ceramics/Clay/Pottery
Clothing
Dips/Sauces
Fiber
Furniture
Glass
Hair accessories
Handbags
Hats
Jewelry
Metal Art
Mixed Media
Paintings
Pet Accessories
Photography
Plants
Resin
Sculpture
Soaps/lotions
Wood

About Us
For over 40 years, American Craft Endeavors has been Florida’s leading producer of juried street craft festivals. Combine some of the best downtown streets in the US, develop a great marketing plan, include a high caliber of crafters, and you have an American Craft Endeavor Show. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly with questions you may have. View our website at www.artfestival.com, email us at info@artfestival.com, or call us at (561) 746-6615.

Application Requirements

Requirements to apply

3 Images of work
1 image of 10x10 outdoor display with white canopy tent. INDOOR displays WILL NOT be accepted.
Biography or website of yourself and work
Jury Fee (Non-refundable Application Fee): $20.00

Print Policy
American Craft Endeavors will allow a limited quantity of offset prints, giclees, and reproduced work that must be clearly labeled as such.

Jury Information

This competitive show is limited to the number of exhibitors we can accept, chosen by a jury of highly qualified, talented, experienced craftspeople.
All participants in the show will be chosen by this jury, which meets weekly.
Zapp will be updated when categories and/or the show closes; wait list applications will then be accepted. Crafters will be called from the wait list by category as cancellations are received, at that time crafter can accept or decline our invitation to exhibit.
Please allow 2 to 4 weeks to process your application once received in our office.
You will not be charged a late fee if we receive your application more than 30 days before the show date and are informed of your acceptance within 30 days of the show.

Show Deposits/Payments

All booth fee payments are paid directly to American Craft Endeavors, not Zapp.

You cannot pay through ZAPP or PayPal. Our online payment portal (artfestival.com) is for balances only; you cannot pay your deposits online as the office needs to verify your invitation.
Once invited, a fifty-dollar ($50) deposit may be made in lieu of the full booth fee ONLY if the event is more than thirty (30) days away.
If you are registered for a show ($50 deposit paid), the balance must be paid NO LATER than thirty (30) days prior to the event or a thirty dollar ($30) late fee will be applied to the balance.
If you are applying within 30 days of the show, you will be charged a $30 late fee.
It is important that you include the event name and date on the credit card authorization form or check to avoid miscommunication.
Credit cards or checks are accepted. A $36 bank fee will be charged on all returned checks. The fee may be higher with international checks.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing (preferably emailed) at least 30 DAYS prior to the show. If you cancel with the proper amount of notice, you will receive a show credit for all show fees paid, good for 2 years toward another invitation.
Application fees are non-refundable.
If you cancel within 30 days of the show, you are liable for the balance and will not receive a credit.
We do not, at any time, issue refunds unless we have cancelled a show with ample time prior to its scheduled date. If a show is canceled AFTER logistical and advertising arrangements have been made, refunds will not be issued under our rain or shine policy nor due to any forces of nature, (i.e., hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes) as outlined in the application. If you are not paid in full at this time, you are still liable for the balance. You will not be able to exhibit in a future American Craft Endeavor’s event until the show balance has been paid. We understand that there are many unforeseen circumstances that may arise last minute, however, we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

Exhibitor Standards

Artwork must be original, handcrafted, and directly created and showcased by the approved individual artist or through a collaboration between two artists.
The participation of teams or companies is prohibited.
The artist or craftsperson whose work has been accepted is required to be present throughout the event to engage with patrons.
Subletting or sharing of space is prohibited.
The use of kits, imported goods, or mass-produced items is strictly prohibited.
The artwork images and booth display you apply with must be up-to-date and consistent with what you will set up at the event.
One medium only per booth is permitted; any medium not approved during the application process that appears in your booth at an event will be asked to be removed.
American Craft Endeavors allows a limited quantity of offset prints, giclees, and reproduced work that must be clearly labeled as such.

No Solicitation
Exhibitors are present at our shows for the purpose of representing and selling their work. No exhibitor is permitted to engage in any type of solicitation of any products, supplies, outside events or any other non-related business activities during the event. Failure to comply will cause possible expulsion from the show.

Liability Insurance
All exhibitors selling food for human or pet consumption AND exhibitors selling products that are applied to the skin (soap, skin care, etc.) are required to have product liability insurance. A one million dollar liability insurance policy, complete with Product Liability Insurance, naming Howard Alan Events, Inc. and American Craft Endeavors as co-insured, indemnified, and held harmless in the event of damage of property, injury, death, alleged sickness from food/skin care product, and any other damages or claims, suits, etc., shall be in force and on file in our office prior to being in attendance at an event.

Taxes
Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting the state sales tax and filing a report with the local Department of Revenue.

Show Information Packet
If invited and after show fee/deposit has been made, the show confirmation will be sent by email. The information will include all details of the event. Set-up and breakdown times will be strictly enforced.

AI Usage Policy for Exhibiting Artists & Craft Artisans
With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the art world, it has become increasingly important to maintain clarity, transparency, and fairness in our festivals. While AI can be a valuable tool for inspiration, our focus remains on celebrating the original, handcrafted work of exhibiting artists.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creative process is permitted for inspiration and idea development only. Any use of AI must be disclosed as part of the application process. Artwork submitted for exhibition must be the original, handcrafted creation of the artist. Works generated mainly by AI are not eligible for participation.

For digital art submissions, applicants may be required to provide additional proof of creation (such as process images, screen captures, or other documentation), as this medium can be more difficult to distinguish in its final form.

Management reserves the right to make final interpretations of all rules and regulations. Please read the general release before applying.

Jury Details

Average number of applications submitted each year

120

Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event

100

Booth Information

Displays must be professional and aesthetically pleasing.
All tents MUST be white.
Handwritten signs and sale signs are strictly prohibited.
Ribbons won from other shows may NOT be displayed.
Please visit our website, www.artfestival.com to view our display requirements and tips. The goal is to make your tent look like a “mini” art gallery.
Exhibitors will leave their exhibit space clean after packing up at break down. If your space is not clean after an event, you may be expelled from future shows.
Exhibitors are responsible for making their tents sturdy against wind, rain, etc. (40lb weights per tent leg is required). Tents MUST be manufactured with a certificate of flame-retardant materials. Staking into the ground is not permitted.
Howard Alan Events/American Craft Endeavors is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen property. All work, display and storage may not go beyond the assigned exhibitor space.
Please contact The Tent Guys (561-374-1783) for rentals. If you plan on renting a tent and/or full display, please note this on your application.
If invited, your booth display at the event should match the booth display picture that was submitted with your Zapp application. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you have any display changes prior to the festival, you must resubmit your booth image for approval.

Booth spaces are approximately 10' wide by 10' deep. Space and a half and double booths are also available on a limited basis. A 10x15 tent is required if you are requesting a 10x15 space.

BOOTH FEES:
Single Booth (10' x 10') – $450.00
Space and a Half (10’ x 15’)- $675.00
Double Booth (10' x 20') - $900.00

Refund Policy

WE DO NOT ISSUE REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS; however, a credit (good for 2 years) will be issued if notification is made at least 30 days prior to a CRAFT show. Cancellations must be made in writing (email preferred) and received at our offices as per the dates outlined. Credits expire after 2 years and may be used toward booth fee payment. Credits for ACE shows can only be used for ACE shows.
There are no rain dates. There will be no refunds or credits if a show is cancelled due to rain, floods, hurricanes, or any other forces of nature after logistics and advertising have been arranged.

The APF fee is a $20 non-refundable application fee.