Fairs/Festivals
Art Fair on the Square - Madison, WI 69th Annual 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 4
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) will soon be accepting applications for the 69th annual Art Fair on the Square.
As one of Madison, Wisconsin's most highly anticipated annual events, Art Fair on the Square brings nearly 200,000 visitors from across the region to Wisconsin’s beautiful Capitol Concourse. We invite you to join the 69-year tradition and submit an application for jury review.
As one of Madison, Wisconsin's most highly anticipated annual events, Art Fair on the Square brings nearly 200,000 visitors from across the region to Wisconsin’s beautiful Capitol Concourse. We invite you to join the 69-year tradition and submit an application for jury review.
- Applications open November 14th, 2026
- Early Bird (Application/Jury Fee): $40.00 until 2/26/2027
- Late Fee (Late Application/Jury Fee): $50.00 2/27 - 3/3/2026
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General Information
2027 CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is pleased to announce an open call for entries for the 68th annual Art Fair on the Square, to be held July 10 and 11, 2026.
WHAT IS ART FAIR ON THE SQUARE?
Art Fair on the Square is not only amongst the largest art fairs in the Midwest, it has been rated as one of the top fine art shows by artists from across the country. Furthermore, Art Fair on the Square is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art's most important annual fundraiser, providing crucial support for exhibitions, art education, and programming. For two days, the eight blocks that surround Wisconsin's beautiful State Capitol are transformed as artists, entertainers, vendors, and typically 200,000 visitors come together to celebrate the arts at this event.
QUICK FACTS
December 31, 2026 - Deadline for returning Best of Show and Invitational Award-winning artists! Apply on Zapplication using the provided coupon code and submit the registration form, tax form at mmoca.org/taxform, and booth payment by this date. Award winners will receive an email with instructions.
February 26, 2027 - Early Bird Application Deadline
March 3, 2027 - Late Application Deadline (A GRACE PERIOD - NO EXCEPTIONS AFTER THIS DATE)
March 30, 2027 - Notification of Invitation, Wait List or if not invited (typically the notification email is sent between 10-11 AM CST).
April 16, 2027 - The booth fee, registration form and tax form are due. Invited artists may use a credit card to pay their booth fees through zapplication.org or artists may send a check directly to MMoCA using the registration/payment form.
April 23, 2027 - Last day for cancellation with partial refund of paid booth fee ($100 cancellation fee per booth). All cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing artfair@mmoca.org.
Friday, July 9, 2027 - Set up (information about timing will be sent to invited artists)
Public hours of the event:
Saturday, July 10, 2027 (9:00am-6:00pm)
Sunday, July 11, 2027 (10:00am-5:00pm)
FEES
Jury Fee: $40
Once you have submitted an application, you will be entered into the jury pool. If you wish to withdraw your application before, during or after the jury dates, you will still be responsible for this fee. All jury fees will be deposited by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art when received and are non-refundable.
Single Booth Space Fee: $710
Do not purchase more than one single booth (in such cases, there will be a $100 processing fee charged to refund).
Double Booth Space Fee: $1345
Double booths are available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited.
Emerging Artist Booth Space Fee: $375
Best of Show and Invitational Artists Invited Back for the 2027 Art Fair on the Square
Artists that won awards at the 2026 fair, who were invited back to attend the 2027 fair must still submit an application via Zapp, a registration form, and tax form. Information and a coupon code for the jury fee will be sent by email in late-November.
Artist Cancellation Fee: $100
Artists must provide written notice of cancellation by 11:59 PM central standard time on or before April 23, 2027, to receive a booth fee refund minus a $100 cancellation processing fee. Artists cancelling after April 23, 2027 will not receive a refund. No exceptions will be made.
COVID Policy/Force Majeure. If MMoCA Must Cancel: Under this Agreement, if MMoCA finds it necessary or is legally obligated to cancel the 2027 Art Fair on the Square at any point due to any of the following causes, to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, public health crises, quarantine, civil commotion or unrest, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, forced evacuation, or sudden lack of availability of event site, MMoCA will refund booth fees paid by artists less a $50 per refund processing fee.
EMERGING ARTIST BLOCK
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) wishes to support and encourage the next generation of art fair artists. Beginning in November 2026, early career artists may apply to the 2027 Art Fair on the Square in the “Emerging Artist” category. This special category is intended for artists with little or no experience in exhibiting and selling work at an art fair. MMoCA believes that selling artwork at this type of event, with typically 150,000-200,000 art enthusiasts, allows artists the trifold benefit of exposure, sales, and the opportunity to start communicating with potential patrons.
Before applying in this category, emerging artists should review general information and rules for the Emerging Artist Block:
https://www.mmoca.org/event/art-fair-on-the-square/emerging-artist-block/
AWARDS
Best of Show Award - A Best of Show award will be given in each of the 14 media categories. Winners will be invited to return to the 2028 Art Fair on the Square, and both jury and booth fees will be waived.
Invitational Award - Up to 50 Invitational awards will be given to artists in all categories. Invitational artists will be invited back to Art Fair on the Square 2028. The jury fee is waived for these individuals.
GUILDS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Each year, up to 25 booth spaces will be designated for local art guilds and community partnerships coordinated and selected by MMoCA staff. In some cases, these may be sponsored booths.
JURY PROCESS
Submit four images, three that are representative of your work and one that clearly shows your booth. Artwork will be evaluated on the criteria of skill, originality, impact, and design. (Do not submit written or printed materials as they will not be considered by the jury.) Artwork shown in your booth shot should be representative of your current work.
Art Fair on the Square jurors use a remote process, facilitated through Zapplication, to assess applications. Images are the sole factor evaluated during the process; names, prices and residential information are not provided to jurors. During the jury process each of the artist’s four images are viewed individually and then are viewed simultaneously, side by side on a scoring page. Each juror scores every entry on a scale of one to seven, with seven being the highest score. This remote process allows jurors to review images thoughtfully, at their own pace and convenience. Each year, new jurors are selected to rate images based on skill, originality, impact, and design.
Artists applying in the 'Emerging Artist' category will be subjected to additional scrutiny, research and review by MMoCA staff.
2027 JURY PANEL
TBD
BOOTH SPACES
Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 10´ x 10´
It is best to think of the layout of the fair as a large circle. Most spots will have something next to them, meaning that even if you have a "booth at the end of a row of artists," you will likely have a food vendor or sponsor set up next to you.
Booth Assignment Allocation:
The cost for a 22' x 10' space at Art Fair on the Square is $1345. Double booths will be available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited.
AMENITIES
Booth Sitting - Artists will be provided with a complimentary booth sitting service on both days of the Art Fair (subject to availability)
ACCESSIBILITY
Please contact artfair@mmoca.org for further information or questions about accessibility at Art Fair on the Square.
CATEGORIES
Review the following Art Fair on the Square category definitions. Art Fair on the Square reserves the right to re-categorize an artist's application/submission. You will need to select one category in which you wish your images to be judged:
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is pleased to announce an open call for entries for the 68th annual Art Fair on the Square, to be held July 10 and 11, 2026.
WHAT IS ART FAIR ON THE SQUARE?
Art Fair on the Square is not only amongst the largest art fairs in the Midwest, it has been rated as one of the top fine art shows by artists from across the country. Furthermore, Art Fair on the Square is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art's most important annual fundraiser, providing crucial support for exhibitions, art education, and programming. For two days, the eight blocks that surround Wisconsin's beautiful State Capitol are transformed as artists, entertainers, vendors, and typically 200,000 visitors come together to celebrate the arts at this event.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2026, artists reported average sales of $9,500 or more per booth.
- Total artists' sales for 2026 were estimated at $3.7 million.
- Average annual attendance is 150,000-200,000
December 31, 2026 - Deadline for returning Best of Show and Invitational Award-winning artists! Apply on Zapplication using the provided coupon code and submit the registration form, tax form at mmoca.org/taxform, and booth payment by this date. Award winners will receive an email with instructions.
February 26, 2027 - Early Bird Application Deadline
March 3, 2027 - Late Application Deadline (A GRACE PERIOD - NO EXCEPTIONS AFTER THIS DATE)
March 30, 2027 - Notification of Invitation, Wait List or if not invited (typically the notification email is sent between 10-11 AM CST).
April 16, 2027 - The booth fee, registration form and tax form are due. Invited artists may use a credit card to pay their booth fees through zapplication.org or artists may send a check directly to MMoCA using the registration/payment form.
April 23, 2027 - Last day for cancellation with partial refund of paid booth fee ($100 cancellation fee per booth). All cancellations must be submitted in writing by emailing artfair@mmoca.org.
Friday, July 9, 2027 - Set up (information about timing will be sent to invited artists)
Public hours of the event:
Saturday, July 10, 2027 (9:00am-6:00pm)
Sunday, July 11, 2027 (10:00am-5:00pm)
FEES
Jury Fee: $40
Once you have submitted an application, you will be entered into the jury pool. If you wish to withdraw your application before, during or after the jury dates, you will still be responsible for this fee. All jury fees will be deposited by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art when received and are non-refundable.
Single Booth Space Fee: $710
Do not purchase more than one single booth (in such cases, there will be a $100 processing fee charged to refund).
Double Booth Space Fee: $1345
Double booths are available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited.
Emerging Artist Booth Space Fee: $375
Best of Show and Invitational Artists Invited Back for the 2027 Art Fair on the Square
Artists that won awards at the 2026 fair, who were invited back to attend the 2027 fair must still submit an application via Zapp, a registration form, and tax form. Information and a coupon code for the jury fee will be sent by email in late-November.
- Invitational artists must apply, pay for their booth spaces, and submit registration and tax forms by December 31, 2026 to confirm that they are committed to attending.
- Best of Show artists must apply, pay for their 2nd booth space (if a double space is wanted), and submit registration and tax forms by December 31, 2026 to confirm that they are committed to attending.
Artist Cancellation Fee: $100
Artists must provide written notice of cancellation by 11:59 PM central standard time on or before April 23, 2027, to receive a booth fee refund minus a $100 cancellation processing fee. Artists cancelling after April 23, 2027 will not receive a refund. No exceptions will be made.
COVID Policy/Force Majeure. If MMoCA Must Cancel: Under this Agreement, if MMoCA finds it necessary or is legally obligated to cancel the 2027 Art Fair on the Square at any point due to any of the following causes, to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, public health crises, quarantine, civil commotion or unrest, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, forced evacuation, or sudden lack of availability of event site, MMoCA will refund booth fees paid by artists less a $50 per refund processing fee.
EMERGING ARTIST BLOCK
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) wishes to support and encourage the next generation of art fair artists. Beginning in November 2026, early career artists may apply to the 2027 Art Fair on the Square in the “Emerging Artist” category. This special category is intended for artists with little or no experience in exhibiting and selling work at an art fair. MMoCA believes that selling artwork at this type of event, with typically 150,000-200,000 art enthusiasts, allows artists the trifold benefit of exposure, sales, and the opportunity to start communicating with potential patrons.
Before applying in this category, emerging artists should review general information and rules for the Emerging Artist Block:
https://www.mmoca.org/event/art-fair-on-the-square/emerging-artist-block/
AWARDS
Best of Show Award - A Best of Show award will be given in each of the 14 media categories. Winners will be invited to return to the 2028 Art Fair on the Square, and both jury and booth fees will be waived.
Invitational Award - Up to 50 Invitational awards will be given to artists in all categories. Invitational artists will be invited back to Art Fair on the Square 2028. The jury fee is waived for these individuals.
GUILDS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Each year, up to 25 booth spaces will be designated for local art guilds and community partnerships coordinated and selected by MMoCA staff. In some cases, these may be sponsored booths.
JURY PROCESS
Submit four images, three that are representative of your work and one that clearly shows your booth. Artwork will be evaluated on the criteria of skill, originality, impact, and design. (Do not submit written or printed materials as they will not be considered by the jury.) Artwork shown in your booth shot should be representative of your current work.
Art Fair on the Square jurors use a remote process, facilitated through Zapplication, to assess applications. Images are the sole factor evaluated during the process; names, prices and residential information are not provided to jurors. During the jury process each of the artist’s four images are viewed individually and then are viewed simultaneously, side by side on a scoring page. Each juror scores every entry on a scale of one to seven, with seven being the highest score. This remote process allows jurors to review images thoughtfully, at their own pace and convenience. Each year, new jurors are selected to rate images based on skill, originality, impact, and design.
Artists applying in the 'Emerging Artist' category will be subjected to additional scrutiny, research and review by MMoCA staff.
2027 JURY PANEL
TBD
BOOTH SPACES
Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 10´ x 10´
- IMPORTANT NOTE: due to emergency lane access requirements, each booth space on the square proper measures approximately 11 feet wide by 8 feet deep, with an additional two feet on the raised curb on the backside of your space. The curb is about 5-6 inches tall. Emerge block artists will be entirely on the sidewalk.
- There is no room between artist's tents. Tents will be placed against each other. Everything artists bring must fit into their booth space and cannot spill out in front of their tents. Overhangs/Awnings are not allowed.
- Artists may not share booth space except in the case of artistic collaboration (both names must appear in the application).
- The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will make an effort to give accepted artists their preferred booth spaces. However, there are no guarantees, and assigned booth spaces are subject to change.
It is best to think of the layout of the fair as a large circle. Most spots will have something next to them, meaning that even if you have a "booth at the end of a row of artists," you will likely have a food vendor or sponsor set up next to you.
Booth Assignment Allocation:
Please note the manner in which we allocate booth assignments for Art Fair on the Square.
- First, we assign the Best of Show award winners to their desired locations.
- We then assign Invitational Award winners to their first choice location.
- After the Best of Show and Invitational Award winners are given their spaces, we allocate spaces to everyone else using a variety of considerations.
The cost for a 22' x 10' space at Art Fair on the Square is $1345. Double booths will be available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited.
AMENITIES
Booth Sitting - Artists will be provided with a complimentary booth sitting service on both days of the Art Fair (subject to availability)
ACCESSIBILITY
Please contact artfair@mmoca.org for further information or questions about accessibility at Art Fair on the Square.
CATEGORIES
Review the following Art Fair on the Square category definitions. Art Fair on the Square reserves the right to re-categorize an artist's application/submission. You will need to select one category in which you wish your images to be judged:
- Digital Art: Works may be created solely on a computer or by using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s) such as scans or digital files. Works must be in limited editions, signed and numbered not exceeding 250 per image, using only archival quality materials. Digital Art prints must be made from the artist’s original digital file under the artist’s supervision.
- Ceramics: All original clay and porcelain work, other than jewelry, is accepted in this category. No machine-made or mass produced work is permitted. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.
- Fiber/Leather: All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, tapestry and papermaking. 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.
- Furniture: Decorative or functional furniture of any material.
- Glass: Original work in which the primary material is glass. Works may be functional or decorative in design and crafted by glass blowing, molding, casting, or etching. No mass production accepted.
- Jewelry: All jewelry whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials must be entered in this category. Items may be made of any mix of materials and any method of construction. No commercial casts, molds, or production studio work is allowed.
- Metal-Works: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed. May be painted or unpainted. All work must be signed by the artist.
- Mixed Media 2-D: All original work that is intended to hang on the wall and incorporates more than one type of physical material. PLEASE NOTE: Utilizing a different medium as an under painting or in a minor secondary role does not meet the intention of this category. Materials that are used must be evident in the finished work.
- Painting: Two-dimensional images including all forms of paint application, such as oils, acrylics, watercolors and similarly applied materials.
- Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original image, which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category. Prints made from negatives, transparencies, or digital files and manipulated with computer programs and printed on large scale ink-jet printers are included here. Works may also be collages or assemblages of photographs, made by the artist. The photographic process must be displayed and each edition must be signed and numbered. Digital photographers, i.e., those who use a digital camera or process images digitally to perform standard manipulations, (e.g., cropping, color/tone adjustment, sharpening, etc.), should apply to the Photography category, not Digital Art.
- Printmaking, Graphics, and Drawing: This includes prints that are hand pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block, or woodcut. This also includes drawings on paper using dry media such as pencil, crayon, charcoal, pastels and a variety of other marking media or from fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush. Images must be produced in signed and numbered limited editions from an original image created by the artist.
- Sculpture and 3-D Mixed Media: Original, free standing works incorporating any materials that are carved, modeled, constructed or cast are included in this category.
- Wood: Original woodworks that are hand-tooled, machine worked, turned or carved are accepted in this category. Does not include furniture.
- Emerging Artists: See - https://www.mmoca.org/event/art-fair-on-the-square/emerging-artist-block/
Application Requirements
- Art Fair on the Square is open to all artists 18 years of age or older.
- All exhibited work must be original in concept and must have been created by the applicant who applied and was invited to exhibit. No work made with commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, stencils, or prefabricated forms may be exhibited. Offset reproductions of original art may be sold, but must not comprise more than 20% of exhibited work or occupy more than 20% of a booth space. Buy/sell is not permitted.
- Each exhibitor’s work will be screened by jurors during the Art Fair on the Square. Artists whose work does not comply with the rules, or differs from the images submitted, will be asked to leave. The judgment of the jury will be final, and no refunds will be given.
- Artists must be present to exhibit and manage their displays during the Art Fair on the Square. Artists are limited to the booth space(s) they were assigned; booth spaces are non-transferable. Artists working/exhibiting in collaboration are limited to a maximum of a 22x10 double booth space.
- Any artist who has not been juried into Art Fair on the Square and/or has not paid the jury and booth fees, will not be allowed to exhibit.
- All sales will be conducted between the artist and the purchaser. Participating artists must obtain a State of Wisconsin seller’s permit prior to the fair and must collect and pay Wisconsin sales tax (5.5%) on all sales made during the fair. If an artist does not have a WI Seller's permit, they must apply for one from the WI Department of Revenue. Accepted artists will not be permitted to exhibit until this permit number has been officially submitted to MMoCA.
- All artists must adhere to City and Capitol Police and MMoCA guidelines and regulations regarding booth display. Noncompliance will result in citations and fines and will prevent exhibition. Regulations will be provided to all artists invited to exhibit. Artists found to be responsible for damages to City or State grounds will be held liable.
- IMPORTANT: The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art has a zero-tolerance policy for artists who are verbally or physically abusive to staff, volunteers, or fellow artists. Failure to comply with the rules or code of conduct stated above and acknowledged in the application will result in immediate expulsion from the fair, no refund will be given, and the artist will not be invited to future Art Fairs.
Awnings and Extensions Rules: Due to emergency lane access requirements, each booth space measures approximately 11 feet wide by 8 feet deep on the road, with an additional two feet on the raised curb behind your space. That said, artists may NOT use any awnings or tent extensions on the street-facing-side of any booth.
- When there is room (and we make no guarantee beyond your 11x10' space -- there could be sign posts or trees, etc behind you), artists may use an awning in the back of a booth. The awning may not extend more than 24" from the back of the tent.
- Additional tents may NOT be set up behind alotted/assigned spaces.
- Storage materials and inventory must be kept compact, neat, and not extend more than 2 feet behind the back of your 11x10' space (we make no guarantee beyond your 11x10' space - there could be sign posts or trees, etc behind you).
NOTE ABOUT THE 2027 LAYOUT:
A Major construction project on the Capitol Square will affect the layout for 2027, and possibly future years. We are working with stakeholders to determine the impact, but anticipate losing some booth spaces on the Square.
Applicants in this category are limited to:
- Early career artists
- Artists who have not exhibited at a juried art fair more than 5 times prior to applying in this fair’s ‘Emerging Artist’ category.
- Artists who can provide a link to a website with at least 10 images of their artwork (in addition to those submitted to this fair via Zapplication) is preferred.
COVID Policy/Force Majeure If MMoCA Must Cancel: Under this Agreement, if MMoCA finds it necessary or is legally obligated to cancel the 2027 Art Fair on the Square at any point due to any of the following causes, to the extent beyond its reasonable control: acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, public health crises, quarantine, civil commotion or unrest, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, forced evacuation, or sudden lack of availability of event site, MMoCA will refund booth fees paid by artists less a $50 per refund processing fee.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
1000
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
350
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
65
Booth Information
BOOTH SPACES AND FEES
Single Booth Space Fee: $710
Upon invitation, the deadline for the booth payment and registration forms is April 16, 2027. Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 11' x 10'
Double Booth Space Fee: $1,345
Double booths are available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited. This is a 22' x 10' foot space.
Upon invitation, the deadline for booth payment is April 16, 2027. Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 10' x 10'
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will make every effort to give accepted artists their preferred booth spaces. However, there are no guarantees, and assigned booth spaces are subject to change.
Each exhibiting artist must bring their own tent and weights, or rent them for the event. It is suggested to have 40 pounds at each tent leg for a 10x10 tent for safety and weather concerns. MMoCA does not supply any equipment.
Note about "Corner" Spaces at Art Fair on the Square:
It is best to think of the layout of the fair as a large circle with radiating spokes. Most spots will have something next to them, meaning that even if you have a booth at the end of a row of artists, you will likely have a food vendor or sponsor set up next to you.
Note about the 2027 layout:
A major construction project on the Capitol Square will affect the layout for 2027, and possibly future years. We are working with stakeholders to determine the impact, but anticipate losing some booth spaces on the Square.
Booth Assignment Allocation:
Please note the manner in which we allocate booth assignments for Art Fair on the Square.
Single Booth Space Fee: $710
Upon invitation, the deadline for the booth payment and registration forms is April 16, 2027. Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 11' x 10'
- Important note: due to emergency lane access requirements, each single booth space measures approximately 11 feet wide by 8 feet deep on the road, with an additional two feet on the raised curb on the backside of your space.
- Tents will be placed right against each other. Everything artists bring must fit into their booth space and cannot spill out in front of their tents. Overhangs are not allowed.
Double Booth Space Fee: $1,345
Double booths are available on a first paid on Zapplication, first awarded basis. Quantity is limited. This is a 22' x 10' foot space.
- Important note: due to emergency lane access requirements, each double booth space measures approximately 22 feet wide by 8 feet deep on the road, with an additional two feet on the raised curb on the backside of your space.
- Tents will be placed right against each other. Everything artists bring must fit into their booth space and cannot spill out in front of their tents. Overhangs are not allowed.
Upon invitation, the deadline for booth payment is April 16, 2027. Acceptable Canopy Dimensions: 10' x 10'
- Important note: due to emergency lane access requirements, each emerging artist single booth space measures approximately 10 feet wide. In terms of depth, the entirety of the booth will be up on the raised curb.
- Emerging Artists will be grouped together on the ‘Emerge Block’ at the top of State Street, a radiating block and major access point to the Capitol Square. This block is adjacent to the main artist display area on the Capitol Square Map.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Artists may not share booth space except in the case of artistic collaboration or as part of a specific guild invited to exhibit by MMoCA. Both the artist and the collaborator's name must be listed as such in the application submitted.The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art will make every effort to give accepted artists their preferred booth spaces. However, there are no guarantees, and assigned booth spaces are subject to change.
Each exhibiting artist must bring their own tent and weights, or rent them for the event. It is suggested to have 40 pounds at each tent leg for a 10x10 tent for safety and weather concerns. MMoCA does not supply any equipment.
Note about "Corner" Spaces at Art Fair on the Square:
It is best to think of the layout of the fair as a large circle with radiating spokes. Most spots will have something next to them, meaning that even if you have a booth at the end of a row of artists, you will likely have a food vendor or sponsor set up next to you.
Note about the 2027 layout:
A major construction project on the Capitol Square will affect the layout for 2027, and possibly future years. We are working with stakeholders to determine the impact, but anticipate losing some booth spaces on the Square.
Booth Assignment Allocation:
Please note the manner in which we allocate booth assignments for Art Fair on the Square.
- First, we assign the Best of Show award winners to their desired locations.
- Next, we assign Invitational Award winners to their first choice location.
- After Best of Show and Invitational Award winners are given their spaces, we allocate spaces to everyone else using a number of considerations.
Refund Policy
Jury Fee
Once you have submitted an application, you will be entered into the jury pool. If you wish to withdraw your application before, during or after the jury dates, you will still be responsible for this fee. All jury fees will be deposited by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art when received and are non-refundable.
Artist Cancellation Fee: $100
Artists must provide written notice of cancellation by 11:59 PM central standard time on or before April 23, 2027, to receive a booth fee refund minus a $100 cancellation processing fee. Artists cancelling after April 23, 2027 will not receive a refund. No exceptions will be made.
Artists who purchase two single booths after double booths are sold out, in an attempt to secure a double booth, will be automatically refunded less a $100 processing fee.
Once you have submitted an application, you will be entered into the jury pool. If you wish to withdraw your application before, during or after the jury dates, you will still be responsible for this fee. All jury fees will be deposited by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art when received and are non-refundable.
Artist Cancellation Fee: $100
Artists must provide written notice of cancellation by 11:59 PM central standard time on or before April 23, 2027, to receive a booth fee refund minus a $100 cancellation processing fee. Artists cancelling after April 23, 2027 will not receive a refund. No exceptions will be made.
Artists who purchase two single booths after double booths are sold out, in an attempt to secure a double booth, will be automatically refunded less a $100 processing fee.
Additional Fees
Double Booth Fee: $1,345
Single Booth Fee (do NOT purchase more than one): $710
Terms to Apply
Application/Jury Fee: $40
