Lubbock Arts Festival 2027

We invite you to apply to the 49th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival, April 10-11, 2027. The event has received four consecutive “Best in Texas” awards from the Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) (2021,2022, 2023, 2024) and two “Grand Pinnacle” awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (2021, 2023)

• Thursday & Friday set-up and Sunday tear-down 
• Limited to 100 Artists
• Ample storage rooms convenient to your booth location
• Indoor/Air-Conditioned venue with many artist and patron amenities
• Professional staff onsite during entire show
• 24 hour police security
• $50,000+ advertising campaign targeted specifically to art buyers and design firms
• Booth Sitters
• Loyal Patrons - 8,000+ in 2026 (ticketed event) 
• Pipe and Drape / Electric Provided
• Free parking for artists and patrons
• Preorder lunch delivered to your booth
• Artist Hospitality Room 
• Each exhibiting artist will be given 25 complimentary tickets for their best patrons 

CALENDAR:

August 1, 2026: Application Open $35 Jury Fee
August 31, 2026: Emerging Artist Deadline
September 15, 2026: Early Decision Application Deadline
September 17-18, 2026: Early Decision Jury Deliberations
September 21, 2026: Early Decision Notification
October 31, 2026: Early Decision Booth Fee Due (Save $50 & Guaranteed Booth Placement if purchased at this time).
November 15, 2026: Regular Jury Deadline
November 17-19, 2026: Regular Jury Deliberation
November 20, 2026: Artist Notification for Regular Jury
December 15, 2026: Booth Fee Deadline for Regular Jury 
December 16, 2026: Start of Rollling Jury  - submissions are reviewed bi-weekly until show is full.
Rolling Jury to fill remaining few spaces 
April 8, 2027 (Thursday): Set up Noon to 5pm
April 9, 2027 (Friday): Set up 10am to 7pm
April 10, 2027 (Saturday): Show Hours 10am to 6pm
April 11, 2027 (Sunday): Show Hours 11am to 5pm
April 11, 2027 (Sunday): Load out 5pm to 8pm

BOOTH FEES:
10'x10' (includes electric and pipe/drape): $375 early decision 10/31 | $425 11/1 - 12/15 | $475 12/16 to full
10'x10' Corner (includes electric and pipe/drape):  $475 early decision 10/31 | $525  -11/1 - 12/15 | $575 -  12/16 to full
10'x20' Booth (includes electric and pipe/drape): $700 early decision 10/31 | $750 - 11/21 - 12/15 | $800 - 12/16 to full
10'x20' Demo Booth for 10'x10' price (includes electric and pipe/drape): $375 early decision 10/31 | $425 11/1 - 12/15 | $475 12/16 to full
(Demonstration must occur in the 10'x20' space)
Larger space available on request

FAST FACTS:
Location: Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79401
Contact: Maisie Alford
Email: assistant@lubbockarts.org
Website: https://lubbockartsfestival.org/
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5092, Lubbock, Texas 79408
Telephone: 806-744-2787
Images: 4 images of art + 1 booth image
Projection Jury: Images viewed simultaneously, artists viewed in order of application is submitted
Jurors: 3 Art Professionals
Multiple Applications: If an artist has work in different media categories you may apply with multiple applications (limit 4). You can only showcase work that has been accepted. You must apply separately in the Jewelry category. You cannot showcase jewelry unless accepted in that category.
Hotel: MCM Elegante Hotel & Suites, located next to the Civic Center, artist rate of $99 per night +tax
Number of Artists at the Show: Limited to 100 fine artists and fine crafters
Parking: Free
Security: 24 hours, Locked building

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:  
We use ZAPPLICATION for communication and marketing information. BE SURE YOUR PROFILE INFORMATION IS CURRENT AND CORRECT IN ZAPPLICATION. Please use proper capitalization.

Each Artist must submit a total of five (5) images (four images of work and one booth image), one complete application per entry and $35 (Regular and Rolling).

If an artist has work in different media categories or distinctly separate bodies of work within one category, they may apply with multiple applications (up to four).

All work must be original work made by the applying Artist.

JURY PROCESS:
The Lubbock Arts Festival utilizes a jury process to curate a high-quality, balanced show. Please note acceptance does not guarantee a booth space. Once a category is full, any accepted artist who has not paid the booth fee will be automatically moved to the waitlist. After deadline to purchase has passed, any remaining spaces will be filled through a rolling jury process that meets bi-weekly until the show reaches capacity. 

Artist excellence in original work is the sole criteria for selection of exhibitors. Images are reviewed by jurors in a blind jury online process. Artists are assigned a number and judged only on the digital images submitted, not on any other qualifications. The digital images will be displayed in one row showing (4) images of art and (1) of booth. The identity of the artist is not disclosed to jurors. The jury is comprised of three art professionals. Artistic excellence and a well-balanced show are the criteria for selection of exhibitors. Scores are averaged together.

Work to be exhibited must be represented in the jury images. Types of work not reflected in your submitted images will be noted by the judges at the Festival, and future Festival participation may be denied.

For each medium entered, include four (4) images of artwork completed within the last 18 months that accurately represent the current body of work to be exhibited. The booth image must illustrate the Artist's presentation of their work and display. The purpose of the booth image is to ensure the Artist has a complete body of work and helps identify the scale of the Artist's work.

Note: This is a blind jury process; please do not submit booth images that include identifiable signs or a photo of the Artist.

EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM:
“Empowering Visual Artists for Festival Success”: The Official Emerging Artist Program of the Lubbock Arts Alliance & Lubbock Arts Festival is an in-person only training opportunity (no virtual option) for visual artists with fewer than five years of professional experience who are not represented by a gallery and earn 50% or less of their income from art sales. Participants must attend expert-led workshops covering essential topics such as identifying and applying for fine art and fine craft festivals, booth setup and display strategies, pricing artwork, managing sales, marketing before and after events, and engaging with festival audiences. Workshop sessions will be held on September 19, 2026; October 24, 2026; November 14, 2026; February 6, 2027; and May 22, 2027. The program includes participation in the 49th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival (April 10-11, 2027), with booth fee, setup, and electricity provided at no cost. Applications are due by August 31, 2026.

In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, we especially encourage applications from artists working in heritage arts and traditional craft mediums, including leatherwork, quilting, woodworking, metal arts, ceramics, fiber arts, and other practices that reflect America’s cultural traditions and creative heritage.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about how NEA grants impact individuals and communities, visit arts.gov.

The Lubbock Arts Alliance is unwavering in its commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible environment. Should you require reasonable accommodations to participate please do not hesitate to contact the Lubbock Arts Alliance at 806-744-2787 or via email at assistant@lubbockarts.org We kindly request that all reasonable accommodation requests be made at least two weeks in advance.

CATEGORIES:
The Festival reserves the right to re-categorize an artist's submission. Every attempt will be made to notify the artist if this is done. You must be juried into the jewelry category to sell any jewelry in your booth. We do not accept candles, apothecary, knives, buy/sell or representatives (the artist must be present) at the Lubbock Arts Festival.

Ceramics: Original functional and/or non-functional works other than jewelry created by the artist from clay, porcelain, stoneware, and/or earthenware. No factory produced work; no RAM pressed work allowed. Clay work from commercial molds prohibited. Painted commercial slip-cast work is prohibited.

Digital Art (Computer): Includes original work created by using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s) such as scans or digital files. Work must be signed and be limited editions, using only archival quality materials. Digital photographers, i.e., those who use a digital camera or process images digitally to perform standard manipulations (cropping, color/tone adjustment, sharpening, etc.) should apply in the Photography category. Digital Art prints must be made from the artist's original digital file under the artist's supervision. In all cases, works need to be produced by the exhibiting artist. Photography is not permitted in this medium.

Drawing and Pastels: Original compositions that are drawn by the artist's hand incorporating ink, chalk, wax, rayon, charcoal, pastel, pencil, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush.

Fiber (Decorative): Works created from fibers and beads, including basketry, weaving, papermaking. No mass or factory-produced work is allowed in the show, regardless of additional modifications or enhancement by the artist.

Fiber (Wearable): Any wearable work created from fiber, including leather. No machine tooling, machine-screened patterns or other forms of mass production allowed. 

Glass: This is work that has been handcrafted the artist by glass blowing, fusing, casting or kiln formed or original designs in stained glass. No pre-manufactured items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by artist, are permitted.

Graphics and Printmaking: Original works created using traditional printmaking methods including block, lithograph, serigraph, etc.

Jewelry: Hand-fabricated jewelry designed and made by the artist in metal, wire-wrapping, precious metal clay, wood, fiber, gemstones, flame-worked beads, and bead weaving is acceptable. Stringing is not allowed including pearls (no matter how expensive the pearls are). Work that has been designed by the artist but with no subsequent hands-on work by the artist is strictly prohibited. No commercial casts and molds are allowed. Precious metal clay jewelers must label their work as such.

Metal: These are original works that are created through the forging, twisting, and fabricating of various metals. The emphasis here is on functional, not sculptural work. Sculpture and jewelry should not be put in this category.

2D Mixed Media: These are works that incorporate the use of two or more media such as ink & pastel, or painting and collage-type materials, which are combined in a single original work. No components manufactured by others may be used. No catalog merchandise is permitted.

3D Mixed Media: Three-dimensional works incorporating multiple materials. If recycled materials are used they must be altered or used in a way different from their original purpose.

Painting (Oil/Acrylics/Encaustic/Tempera/Watercolor): These are original compositions that are created by the artist's hand. Painting over prints/giclées or pre-existing images (regardless of the substrate) is not considered an original. These are considered "altered reproductions" and must go in browse bins and labeled as outlined below.

Photography: Includes all photographic processes, which begin with a camera lens. Photographs made from the artist’s original image, both from film and original digital files, are included in this category.  Photo collage and painting on photographs, which are traditional photographic processes need to be in this category. Photographers are required to disclose both their creative and printing processes (including any digital alteration and or hand painting, over painting, etc). The process must be displayed with the photograph or indicated in the displayed artist's statement. Work must use only archival quality materials. In all cases, the work must be produced and printed by the exhibiting artist or under the artist's supervision.

Sculpture: Three-dimensional works incorporating any materials that are carved, modeled, constructed, or cast. If recycled materials are used, they must be altered or used in a way that is different from their original purpose.

Wood: Original handcrafted work in wood (functional or non-functional) that is hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved.

All artwork must be the original, handmade work of the Artist and produced within 18 months of the 2027 Festival.

Texas State Sales Tax Certificate will be presented at check-in and displayed promintely in your booth at the show. 

Reproduced prints may constitute up to 35% of the displayed work.

Media using endangered animals or plants and t-shirts are specifically excluded.

Works produced from other sources and commercial patterns or kits are ineligible.

All resale items are ineligible for this show.

Food vendors are ineligible for this show.

Knife vendors are ineligible for this show.

Soap/Bath/Body products are ineligible for this show. 

An onsite standards committee will be present to enforce eligibility policies. Artists found violating these restrictions will be required to remove those items from their booths.

The Lubbock Arts Festival reserves the right to close the booth of any artist who refuses to adhere to the regulations outlined in this prospectus.

The Lubbock Arts Festival is juried for a general audience and reserves the right to remove any work deemed unsuitable by Festival officials.

The Festival reserves the right to photograph, for promotional purposes only, any artwork or participants in the Lubbock Arts Festival.

Artists must obtain a Texas Sales Tax Permit and present it prior to Lubbock Arts Festival. The Artist is responsible for remitting all state and local sales tax and reports.

No agents, dealers, or representatives may attend the event in place of the Artist.

​The Festival reserves the right to conduct multiple calls for entry until the event is sold out.

As a condition of participation in the Lubbock Arts Festival—as stipulated by funding received from the City of Lubbock and Civic Lubbock, Inc.—all participants must acknowledge and comply with the following:

• Any political activities, including but not limited to promoting or advocating for or against a particular political position, candidate, or party, are strictly prohibited.
• Participants must avoid issues of a divisive or controversial nature in their work, displays, or booth materials.
• Projects, productions, artwork, and/or programs that include obscene materials, as defined in Sections 43.21–43.28 of the Texas Penal Code, are not allowed.

Violations of these requirements may result in removal from the Festival and disqualification from future participation.

Although we do not anticipate COVID or any other communicable disease being an issue, the Lubbock Arts Alliance reserves the right to implement and enforce mitigation efforts. If such action is necessary, artists will be notified about specific requirements before the show.

 

BOOTH FEES:
10'x10' (includes electric and pipe/drape): $375 early decision 10/31 | $425 11/1 - 12/15 | $475 12/16 to full
10'x10' Corner (includes electric and pipe/drape):  $475 early decision 10/31 | $525  -11/1 - 12/15 | $575 -  12/16 to full
10'x20' Booth (includes electric and pipe/drape): $700 early decision 10/31 | $750 - 11/21 - 12/15 | $800 - 12/16 to full
10'x20' Demo Booth for 10'x10' price (includes electric and pipe/drape): $375 early decision 10/31 | $425 11/1 - 12/15 | $475 12/16 to full
(Demonstration must occur in the 10'x20' space)
Larger space available on request

HOURS:
Set-up: Thursday, April 8, 2027, from Noon - 5pm
Set-up: Friday, April 9, 2027, from 10am - 7pm
Show hours: Saturday, April 10, 2027, from 10am - 6pm
Show hours: Sunday, April 11, 2027, from 11am - 5pm
Load out - Sunday, April 11, 2027, 5pm - 8pm

OTHER:
Pipe and drape are used only to divide spaces. It is not sturdy enough to hang artwork on. Please bring your own display system to set inside the pipe and drape. 

• Tables must be covered with wrinkle free linens to the floor.
• You may use your tent frame but not the tent walls or tops in this venue.
• All excess work and packing materials need to be properly stored in your booth or the designated storage rooms.
• Bring LIGHTS! The room is large and has high ceilings - light is a necessity and electricity is included in your booth fee. 

 

REFUND POLICY

ENTRY FEE(S): 
Non-refundable.

BOOTH FEE(S): 
Once a booth is purchased, no refunds will be issued after January 15, 2027.
A 50% refund may be requested if the request is submitted in writing prior to this date.
Refund requests must be:

• Emailed to: assistant@lubbockarts.org
• Followed up with a phone call to: 806-744-2787
  This follow-up call is required to confirm receipt of the email.

Failure to follow this process may result in the refund request not being processed.