New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell - Congo Square African Marketplace 2027

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a joyous and spirited celebration showcasing the authentic music and heritage of Louisiana and New Orleans. It began in 1970 when 350 musicians entertained a crowd half that number in New Orleans' Congo Square. The Festival is one of the most prestigious and well-attended in the nation, attracting hundreds of thousands of people annually.

The Festival is owned by The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc., a Louisiana non-profit corporation organized to preserve and promote the music, arts, culture and heritage indigenous to Louisiana and the New Orleans area. A two-weekend event featuring fourteen stages of music, plus art and traditional food, this outdoor daytime celebration is held on the park-like infield and in the grandstand area of the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. The Crafts Fairs present works by Louisiana, national and international artisans participating in three tented areas - Contemporary Crafts, Louisiana Marketplace, and Congo Square African Marketplace.

The Congo Square African Marketplace is named in honor of the historic New Orleans landmark and site of the very first Jazz Fest.  The highly competitive juried area will accept approximately fifty-two Artists and Vendors each weekend.  Artists make handcrafted contributions to the art of the Diaspora, while Vendors present traditional handcrafted art from the African continent.

FESTIVAL DATES & HOURS
First Weekend: April 22, 23, 24, 25
Second Weekend: April 29, 30, May 1, 2

Hours of Operation: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Daily

(There are no substitute rain dates.)

REQUIREMENTS
Images: Five (5) (4 of artwork – 1 of booth display)
Application Fee $35.00

Artists' original handcrafted artwork must reflect the culture and heritage of the African Diaspora.  Vendors' items must consist of handcrafted art and crafts from the African Diaspora. 

If the work is not culturally relevant, consider applying to a different crafts area. 

Before applying, be sure to read all ELIGIBILITY, GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC MEDIA and RULES . 

Unless Festival criteria is met, it is not possible to process the application for jury. 

Application fees are non-refundable.  For clarification or questions, please contact us prior to applying. 

A separate application is required for each medium/category for which an artist wishes consideration.  Consult: https://www.zapplication.org/help-center.php: Submitting Multiple Applications from one Profile.  A ZAPP tutorial is available.

No advantage is gained by submitting multiple applications for the same body of work.

No more than three (3) applications can be made per each Crafts area.

APPLICATION FEES
Each application must be accompanied by the $35 application fee payment. Through ZAPPlication applicants may choose to pay online with VISA or MASTERCARD.  No money orders, cashier checks, personal or business checks accepted.

NOTE: Please focus on image preparation before applying to the show by consulting: https://www.zapplication.org/help-center.php

2027 CALENDAR

DECEMBER 1: Application deadline
JANUARY 19: Notifications emailed
MARCH 9: Signed agreement, booth fee, and auto insurance due
APRIL 21: Set-up day 1st Weekend
APRIL 22 – APRIL 25: Event days 1st Weekend
APRIL 28: Set-up day 2nd Weekend
April 29 - MAY 2: Event days 2nd Weekend

FESTIVAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Congo Square African Marketplace
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell
365 Canal Street, Suite 2250
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone (504) 410-6111
congosquare@nojazzfest.com
www.nojazzfest.com
 

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
Work must be original handmade art created by the applicant artist.  Artwork must reflect the culture and heritage of the African Diaspora including Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas.  Artwork must be of original design, produced by hand and be created by the applicant artist.  Artwork must be one-of-a-kind and/or limited edition. Artists wishing to sell imported crafts must submit a separate Vendor Application.

GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC MEDIA
Mixed Media: Original work where the primary intent is the union of two or more media categories. No prints on canvas or any type of stretched fabric materials. 

Painting: Original oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. are in this category.  Painters wishing to sell any prints must disclose that intention and describe the printmaking processes in the artist statement which will be read to the jurors. Prints must be in limited editions of 500 or less, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.  No prints on canvas or any type of stretched fabric materials.  No photocopies and/or offset printing (poster graphics) are allowed.

Photography: Photographers may submit photographs only from their own original images and must do their own printing or directly supervise this process. Photographs must be in limited editions of 500 or less, signed and numbered on archival quality materials. No photocopy and/or offset prints (poster graphics) are allowed.  No prints on canvas or any type of stretched fabric materials. Applicant is required to disclose printing process in the artist statement, which will be read to jurors. Applicant is required to disclose printing processes in the Artist Statement which will be read to the jurors.

Digital Art:  Wall mounted original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, is executed by the artist using a computer.  Prints must be in limited editions of 500 or less, signed and numbered on archival quality materials.  No prints on canvas or any type of stretched fabric materials.  Traditional photographs taken through a digital media should apply in the photography category.  Work generated by or with assistance of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.

Sculpture: Sculpture category includes freestanding 3D art of any media—clay, paper, stone, wood, metal, etc.

Millinery: Artists wishing to sell any hats must submit an application in the millinery category.

Wearable Art: Artists wishing to sell any clothing or handbags must submit an application in the wearable art category. No factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist.  No upcycled or recycled work.

Jewelry: Artists wishing to sell any jewelry must submit an application in the jewelry category.  No strung beads or assembled work.  The majority of each piece must consist of handmade components.  Any commercially manufactured parts must play a subordinate role.  If jewelry consists of all cast work, those castings must be poured in the artist's studio, not commercially manufactured.  Applicant is required to disclose casting process in the artist statment which will be read to the jurors.  

If necessary, the Congo Square Marketplace Coordinator reserves the right to reclassify an artist's submission to a more appropriate category.

ARTIST RULES
1. Artists are required to complete the Cultural Relevance Statement describing how the artwork they intend to sell is representative of African Diaspora.  The Cultural Relevance Statement will be read to the jurors.  Cultural relevance is an important aspect in both the jurors' scoring and presenting the show.  If the work is not culturally relevant consider a different Crafts area.

2. Artists may display and sell only the type of work represented in the four (4) artwork images submitted with the online application. 

3. Application images may not contain identifiable signatures, signage or photos of the applicant artist.

4. The majority of each piece must consist of handmade components. Any commercially produced parts must play a subordinate role. NO embellishment or modification of commercially manufactured products.  No upcycled or recycled work.

5. No 3D printed or AI related work is allowed.  Work generated by or with assistance of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.

6. Festival expressly prohibits the following items in the crafts area: commercial kits, t-shirts, night lights, magnets, edibles/consumables (including but not limited to candles, incense, oils, lotions, henna, soap, bath salts) CD’s, DVD’s, audio/video tapes, books, catalogs, poster graphics, postcards/note cards, mass-distributed products or manufactured goods, 3D printed objects, no buy/sell, factory-sewn work, strung beads/assembled work, commercially-cast plaster or clay objects, pre-manufactured or commercially-made clothing.

7. Artists wishing to sell any jewelry must submit an application in the jewelry category.  No jewelry may be sold without having applied and been selected in the jewelry category.

8. Artists wishing to sell any hats must submit an application in the millinery category.

9. The Festival logo and the words “New Orleans Jazz Fest,” “New Orleans Jazz Festival,” “Jazz Festival,” “Jazz & Heritage Festival,” “New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” “Louisiana Heritage Fair,” “Jazz Fest,” “Congo Square African Marketplace,” and “Congo Square Festival” are registered trademarks and neither they nor any colorable imitation thereof can be used on any merchandise or advertisement without license by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.

10. Joint applicants must both contribute to the creation of the work and be listed on the application.

11. Any artist applying to more than one crafts area (Contemporary, Congo Square, or Louisiana Marketplace) must submit a separate application and set of five (5) images for each.  *Artist accepted in more than one crafts area must choose one crafts area as artists may exhibit in only one area of the Festival per annual event.  Consult: https://www.zapplication.org/help-center.php: Submitting Multiple Applications from one Profile.  A ZAPP tutorial is available.  

12. No galleries, cooperatives or groups may apply.  Only individual artists may apply.

13. Each artist must be present in the assigned booth and keep it open throughout the official hours of the Festival. Representatives may not attend in place of the contracted artist.  Failure to comply may cause booth closure with forfeiture of all fees and/or affect future applications.  The applicant artist must be present for check-in / set-up day in order to receive the Vendor Credential packet.

14. Artists may not transfer, share or otherwise reassign booth spaces. Failure to comply may cause booth closure with forfeiture of all fees and/or affect future applications.

15. For educational purposes, the Festival requires that artists describe and in some cases demonstrate their craft process to the public. All exhibiting artists are required to display an Artist’s Statement in a prominent place within their booth.

16. For Festival records, each artist will be required to submit a daily total of all sales on the last event day (Sunday).  Failure to comply will result in ineligibility the following year or next application.

17. Each exhibitor must comply with all Festival rules and regulations as well as city, state, and federal laws.

18. Applicants must be minimum age of 18.

APPLICATIONS NOT MEETING THE REQUIRED CRITERIA WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

ARTIST APPLICATION IMAGES
1. Each applicant must submit four (4) digital artwork images that best represent current work with one (1) digital image of booth display. Note: this is a blind jury process; there should be NO images with identifiable signatures, signage or photo of the artist. Images with any identifying information will result in jury score point deduction.

2. Artwork Image Guidelines: If artist intends to exhibit both production and one-of-a-kind or high end work, the four (4) artwork images must illustrate each type proportionally. Production work is acceptable but MUST be represented proportionally in the four (4) artwork images.  No production work allowed unless represented to the jurors in the four (4) artwork images.

3. Booth Image Guidelines: The booth image represents a full view of the booth display and should not be empty but filled with artwork. If a booth image is unavailable, the artist may submit an image taken of a grouping of works representative of the works to be exhibited at the Festival. Jurors will be able to note scale and dimension. Most important, the booth display image must have a similar body of work as the four (4) artwork images.  If production work shows in the booth display image, that same percentage of production work must be reflected in the four (4) artwork images. If the artwork images show four one-of-a-kind pieces, then your booth image should be filled with ONLY one-of-a-kind work.  In addition, the booth image instantly reflects the artist's ability to showcase their work, further representing that artist's particular aesthetic.  This is a blind jury process; there should be NO images with identifiable signatures, signage or photo of the artist.  Images with any identifying information will result in jury score point deduction.

4. Any work outside of the medium, context, scale and/or price point of the four (4) artwork images submitted that may appear in the booth shot would not be considered accepted by the jury, due to its mere presence in the booth image.  Only the four (4) artwork images represent what you intend to exhibit and sell at the Festival.  Note:  The booth image is a reference.  You are not juried in for all work appearing in the booth image.  You are juried for the body of work represented in the four (4) artwork images.

5. All images must be in 1920 pixel horizontal x 1920 pixel vertical format. Consult: https://www.zapplication.org/help-center.php: Image Preparation.  A ZAPP tutorial is available.

VENDOR ELIGIBILITY
Artwork exhibited in Congo Square African Marketplace must consist of items from the African Diaspora.  All art and crafts must be produced by hand, no commercial or mass production allowed.

VENDOR GUIDELINES

• Only authentic handmade crafts from the African Diaspora are allowed.
• Absolutely no trinket vending or costume jewelry allowed.
• Soap, bath salts, butters, incense and Indonesian wraps are strictly prohibited.
• Absolutely no commercially produced or manufactured items are allowed.
• No 3D printed or AI related work is allowed.  Work generated by or with assistance of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.
• Vendors can display a maximum of only six (6) media categories. (Example: clothing, jewelry, stone sculpture, paintings, wooden masks, basketry).
• Each image must show a clear, close-up shot of the craft items (not to exceed the six (6) media categories).
• One image must show the vendor’s booth display. Vendors are required to complete the image information portion of this application, specifically highlighting the items being sold and the country of origin.

    VENDOR RULES
    1.  Vendors are required to complete the Cultural Relevance Statement describing how the items they intend to sell are representative of African Diaspora arts and crafts.  The Cultural Relevance Statement will be read to the jurors.

    2. Vendors may display and sell only the type of work represented in the four (4) artwork images submitted with the online application.

    3. Application image may not contain identifiable signatures, signage or photos of applicant vendor.

    4. The majority of each piece must consist of handmade components. Any commercially produced parts must play a subordinate role. NO embellishment or modification of commercially manufactured products. No upcycled or recycled work.

    5. No 3D printed or AI related work is allowed.  Work generated by or with assistance of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited.

    6. Festival expressly prohibits the following items in the crafts area: commercial kits, t-shirts, night lights, magnets, edibles/consumables (including but not limited to candles, incense, oils, lotions, henna, soap, bath soaps), CDs, DVDs, audio/video tapes, books, catalogs, poster graphics, postcards/note cards, mass-distributed products and jewelry, manufactured goods, 3D printed objects or AI related work, factory-sewn work, assembled work, commercially-cast plaster or clay objects, or pre-manufactured clothing.

    7. Vendors wishing to sell any jewelry must submit an application in the jewelry category.  No jewelry may be sold without having applied and been selected in the jewelry category.

    8. The Festival logo and the words “New Orleans Jazz Fest,” “New Orleans Jazz Festival,” “Jazz Festival,” “Jazz & Heritage Festival,” “New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” “Louisiana Heritage Fair,” “Jazz Fest,” “Congo Square African Marketplace” and “Congo Square Festival” are registered trademarks and neither they nor any colorable imitation thereof can be used on any merchandise or advertisement without license by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.

   9. No galleries, cooperatives or groups may apply.  Only individual vendors may apply. 

 10. Each vendor must be present in the assigned booth and keep it open throughout the official hours of the Festival. Representatives may not attend, check-in or set-up in place of the contracted vendor.  Failure to comply may cause booth closure with forfeiture of all fees and/or affect future applications.  The applicant vendor must be present for check-in / set-up day in order to receive the credential packet.

 11. Vendors may not transfer, share or otherwise reassign booth spaces.  Failure to comply may cause booth closure with forfeiture of all fees and/or affect future applications.

 12. For educational purposes, the Festival requires that vendors describe materials used and the country of origin for imports on display. Vendors are required to display this information in a prominent place within their booth.

 13. For Festival records, each vendor will be required to submit a daily total of all sales on the last event day (Sunday). Failure to comply will result in ineligibility the following year or next application.

 14. Each exhibitor must comply with all Festival rules and regulations as well as city, state, and federal laws.

 15.  Applicants must be a minimum age of 18.

    APPLICATIONS NOT MEETING THE REQUIRED CRITERIA WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

    APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

    VENDOR APPLICATION IMAGES
    1. Each applicant must submit four (4) digital artwork images that best represent work along with one (1) digital image of booth display.  Note: this is a blind jury process; there should be NO images with identifiable signatures, signage or photo of the vendor.  Each image must show a clear, close-up shot of the craft items (not to exceed the six (6) media categories.)  Images with any identifying information will result in jury score point deduction.

    2. Artwork Image Guidelines: If vendor intends to exhibit both production and one-of-a-kind work, the four (4) images must illustrate each type proportionally. Production work is acceptable but MUST be represented proportionally in the four (4) artwork images.  No production work allowed unless represented in the four (4) artwork images.

    3. Booth Image Guidelines: The booth image represents a full view of the booth display and should not be empty but filled with artwork. If a booth image is unavailable, the vendor may submit an image taken of a grouping of works representative of the works to be exhibited at the Festival. Jurors will be able to note scale and dimension. Most importantly, the booth display image must have a similar body of work as represented in the four (4) artwork images.  If production work shows in the booth display image, that same percentage of production work must be reflected in the four (4) artwork images.  If the artwork images show four one-of-a-kind pieces, then your booth image should be filled with ONLY one-of-a-kind work.  In addition, the booth image instantly reflects the vendor's ability to showcase their work, further representing that vendors particular aesthetic.  This is a blind jury process; there should be NO images with identifiable signatures, signage or photo of the artist.  Images with any identifying information will result in jury score point deduction.

   4. Any work outside of the medium and/or context of the 4 images submitted that may appear in the booth shot would not be considered accepted by the jury, due to its mere presence in the booth image.  Only the four (4) artwork images represent what you intend to exhibit and sell at the Festival..  Note: The booth image is a reference.  You are not juried in for all work appearing in the booth image.  You are juried for the body of work represented in the four (4) artwork images.

    5. All images must be in 1920 pixel horizontal x 1920 pixel vertical format. Consult: https://www.zapplication.org/help-center.php: Image Preparation.  A ZAPP tutorial is available.

JURY PROCESS
An outside panel consisting of peers and art professionals review all submissions and selects exhibitors. A new panel is seated each year.

1. A code number is assigned for each application, so that jurying is anonymous.

2. Artists and Vendors are juried separately.

3. Selection criteria include Cultural Relevance, creativity, uniqueness, concept and craftsmanship, as well as the need to achieve a balance of media categories.

4. The Artists and Vendor Information Statement is read to the jury. The process, materials, and dimensions for each image will also be made available to the jury.

5. The Cultural Relevance Statement is read to the jury.

6. Applications not selected by the jury panel will not be further considered.

THIS IS A JURIED SHOW AND AS SUCH, PREVIOUS PARTICIPATION IN THIS FESTIVAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE.

CRAFTS AGREEMENT
1. Each selected artist/vendor will be required to sign and initial the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s “Crafts Agreement.”

2. Notification of selection is preliminary only and is not binding on the Producer or the Foundation, which reserves the right to reject any selected applicant at its sole discretion.

3. Until the applicant’s booth rental fee is paid in full and the “Crafts Agreement” is signed, initialed and fully executed by the selected applicant and then countersigned by the responsible Festival representative, the Foundation shall have no contractual or other obligation whatsoever to the selected applicant.

INSURANCE
Included in the booth fee is personal liability insurance which includes product liability coverage applicable during artist/vendor operations at the Festival.  Details regarding product liability insurance will be available upon acceptance into the Festival.

Any vehicle entering the Festival site must have proof of valid automobile insurance.

SALES TAX & LICENSES
Each artist/vendor permitted to sell crafts or other merchandise at the Festival must obtain all necessary tax permits and licenses and must comply with all tax regulations of the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. State and City officials will come on-site during the Festival to collect all applicable license fees and taxes from participating artists/vendors.



 

BOOTH FEES include PRODUCT LIABILITY and AMENITIES.

FIRST WEEKEND
Artist Corner: $1790
Artist Shared Corner: $1045/each**
Artist Demo Corner: $1305
Vendor Corner: $2020
Vendor Shared Corner: $1160/each** 

SECOND WEEEKEND
Artist Corner: $1790
Artist Shared Corner: $1045/each**
Artist Demo Corner: $1305
Vendor Corner: $2020
Vendor Shared Corner: $1160/each** 

Artist Pioneer: $3370
Vendor Pioneer: $3830

**Only two (2) artists/vendors may share a booth. Demonstrators may not share.

Artists/Vendors may rent a booth for only one weekend of the event. Preference for weekend and booth type may be indicated on the application form, however the Festival does not guarantee preferred choice.

Booth fees must be paid following receipt of acceptance packet and will not be refunded in the case of rain or other events beyond the Producer’s reasonable control. Payment can be accepted in the form of VISA or MASTERCARD via ZAPPlication.  NO money orders, cashier checks, personal or business checks accepted.

BOOTH DISPLAY
1. Booth spaces measure approximately 10’ x 10’ and are housed within
20’ x 20’ tents. The front opening of each booth is approximately 8’ high.

2. No signage or décor is permitted outside booth.

3. Artist/Vendor must provide BACK AND SIDE WALLS for the booth.

4. Festival does not provide tables, chairs, or electricity.  Tables and chairs are available for rent on ZAPPlication.

5. All booth displays must comply with the American for Disabilities Act (ADA).

6. Booth displays must look professional and should be designed creatively.

7. Exhibitors are required to display an Artist’s/Vendor's Statement in a prominent place within their booth.

ONSITE EVALUATION
During the Festival, jurors and staff will evaluate every artist’s/vendor's work to ensure compliance with eligibility, guidelines and rules. This includes checking the participant’s work against the images submitted with the application. Negative evaluations may cause booth closure with forfeiture of all fees and/or affect future applications.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival reserves the right to require the removal of any objects which, in its sole determination, are not representative of, or equal in quality and/or proportion to, the work depicted in the artist’s images.

AWARDS
Congo Square African Marketplace will present four awards each weekend: Best of Show, Most Unique Work, Best Display, and Best Vendor.

No application fee refunds for any applications not meeting the Festival's criteria eligibility requirements as clearly stated in this prospectus.

Booth fee refunds are available until the final refund deadline date of March 16, 2027.  No refunds for late cancellations after that date.

No Festival booth fee refunds in case of rain or other events beyond the producer's reasonable control.