Fairs/Festivals
Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts: February 2027, 39th Annual (Sarasota, FL) Howard Alan Events
Sarasota, Florida
Non-refundable Jury Fee (APF): $35
Contact Information
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 Big One! Over 200 award-winning artists will showcase their fine art, transforming Main Street into a remarkable art festival experience. The festival’s tremendous success each year has resulted in its expansion, now covering more than five city blocks in Downtown Sarasota. The exceptional quality of the art, the accessibility of this free outdoor festival, and the variety of artistic expressions have contributed to the Festival of the Arts consistently ranking among the top 100 art festivals in the country, as reported by Sunshine Artist Magazine. Proceeds from the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts support the Downtown Sarasota Alliance.
General Information
Thank you for applying to Howard Alan Events! 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:
Venue: Main Street at Orange Avenue, heading east to Links Avenue
Public Admission: Free, no gate
Parking: Daytime and overnight located near show site.
Spaces: 10x10 (10x20 are limited and double booth image must be submitted and approved)
Show Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
Set-Up: Saturday
Promotion: Howard Alan Events has a reputation of bringing out the high-end buying crowd to each of its events. For the Downtown Sarasota Art Festival, we will be working with the Sarasota Herald Tribune, WLTQ FM, Bradenton Herald, Pelican Press, Longboat Observer, Creative Loafing and Comcast Cable.
Mediums:
• clay
• digital
• fiber
• glass
• jewelry
• mixed media
• painting
• photography
• printmaking/drawing
• sculpture
• wood
• resin
About Us
For over 40 years, Howard Alan Events has been America’s leading producer of juried street art festivals. Combine some of the best downtown streets in the US, develop a great marketing plan, include a high caliber of artists, and you have a Howard Alan Event. 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.
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 $625
- All booth fee payments are paid directly to Howard Alan Events, not Zapp.
- Deadline date = last day applications accepted
- Invited? Submit deposit/booth fee immediately!
- Reminder: Accepting on Zapp does not secure space
Venue: Main Street at Orange Avenue, heading east to Links Avenue
Public Admission: Free, no gate
Parking: Daytime and overnight located near show site.
Spaces: 10x10 (10x20 are limited and double booth image must be submitted and approved)
Show Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
Set-Up: Saturday
Promotion: Howard Alan Events has a reputation of bringing out the high-end buying crowd to each of its events. For the Downtown Sarasota Art Festival, we will be working with the Sarasota Herald Tribune, WLTQ FM, Bradenton Herald, Pelican Press, Longboat Observer, Creative Loafing and Comcast Cable.
Mediums:
• clay
• digital
• fiber
• glass
• jewelry
• mixed media
• painting
• photography
• printmaking/drawing
• sculpture
• wood
• resin
About Us
For over 40 years, Howard Alan Events has been America’s leading producer of juried street art festivals. Combine some of the best downtown streets in the US, develop a great marketing plan, include a high caliber of artists, and you have a Howard Alan Event. 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
Jury Information
Show Deposits/Payments
Cancellation Policy
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.
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. This information supersedes all information on Zapp.
Management reserves the right to make final interpretations of all rules and regulations. Please read the general release before applying.
- 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): $35.00
Jury Information
- This competitive show is limited to the number of exhibitors we can accept, chosen by a jury of highly qualified, talented, experienced artists.
- 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. Artists will be called from the wait list by category as cancellations are received; at that time, artist can accept or decline our invitation to exhibit.
- Please allow 2 to 4 weeks to process your application once it is marked RECEIVED in Zapp.
- 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 Howard Alan Events, 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 fifty dollar ($50) late fee will be applied to the balance.
- If you are applying within 30 days of the show, you will be charged a $50 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 60 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 60 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 Howard Alan 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.
- 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 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 removed.
- Howard Alan Events allows a limited quantity of offset prints, giclees, and reproduced work that must be clearly labeled as such.
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.
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. This information supersedes all information on Zapp.
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
250
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
200
Booth Information
- Displays must be professional and aesthetically pleasing.
- All tents MUST be white.
- Booth spaces are approximately 10' wide by 10' deep. Double booths are available on a limited basis.
- 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.
- Artists must use appropriate professional display systems like pro panels or heavy mesh walls. Grid walls, and temporary mesh walls will not be permitted. Your setup should be both professional and robust, ensuring safety and functionality.
- Draped tables are prohibited at our art festivals (but they can be used at our craft festivals). You may use a small, finished designer-style table made of wood, glass, or metal, such as a sofa or accent table. Pro Panel-style desks, pedestals, or proper display pedestals are permitted.
- Handwritten signs, sale signs and award ribbons from other events are strictly prohibited.
- Please visit our website, www.artfestival.com to view our display requirements and tips.
- 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 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.
Show Fee:
Single Booth (10' x 10’)
$625.00
Double Booth (10' x 20’) limited and must be approved
$1,250.00
Refund Policy
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLED SHOWS! However, a credit good for 2 years from the cancellation date will be issued to your account if you notify the office more than 60 days before the event date. The exhibitor is responsible for the entire show fee if the event is cancelled with less than 60 days prior to the show and you will not receive a credit. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule! If you cancel an event within 60 days of the show date, you are liable for the show balance. You will not be able to exhibit in a future event until the show balance has been paid. All cancellations MUST be in writing (email preferred).
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 $35 non-refundable application fee.
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 $35 non-refundable application fee.