Fairs/Festivals
Fiesta Arts Fair 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
52nd Fiesta Arts Fair | April 17 & 18, 2027
Art lovers from far and wide convene on Fiesta Arts Fair, now in its 52nd year, on the picturesque and historic grounds of the UT San Antonio-Southwest Campus (formerly Southwest School of Art) and located along San Antonio's renown River Walk. The festive two-day event offers knowledgeable and appreciative art lovers an intimate opportunity to interact with artists and purchase high quality contemporary and traditional art and craft. Juror selected cash awards and artists' amenities including volunteer booth sitters, air-conditioned artist hospitality suite and restrooms, and Saturday artists' social. Fiesta Arts Fair is an official “kick-off event” for San Antonio’s renowned Fiesta® San Antonio celebration — 11 days of merriment, pageantry, parades and festivals, which bring thousands of visitors to the Alamo City every year in April.
Ranked in the top 100 Fine Craft & Art Festivals by Art Fair SourceBook
Art lovers from far and wide convene on Fiesta Arts Fair, now in its 52nd year, on the picturesque and historic grounds of the UT San Antonio-Southwest Campus (formerly Southwest School of Art) and located along San Antonio's renown River Walk. The festive two-day event offers knowledgeable and appreciative art lovers an intimate opportunity to interact with artists and purchase high quality contemporary and traditional art and craft. Juror selected cash awards and artists' amenities including volunteer booth sitters, air-conditioned artist hospitality suite and restrooms, and Saturday artists' social. Fiesta Arts Fair is an official “kick-off event” for San Antonio’s renowned Fiesta® San Antonio celebration — 11 days of merriment, pageantry, parades and festivals, which bring thousands of visitors to the Alamo City every year in April.
Ranked in the top 100 Fine Craft & Art Festivals by Art Fair SourceBook
"Fiesta is one of the most well organized, artist centered shows in the country”
“Great venue, great city, great customers, good sales, and well run”
"One of the best shows ever....small and intimate, not overwhelming"
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General Information
Fiesta Arts Fair is a two-day, intimate, event that offers art patrons an opportunity to purchase contemporary and traditional art and craft from approximately 105-115 high caliber selected artists. The Fair also includes live national and regional music, food and beverage booths and an interactive youth art area — all in a beautiful setting, the picturesque and historic grounds that formerly housed the Ursuline Academy and Southwest School of Art, now UT San Antonio-Southwest Campus. Fiesta Arts Fair is an official “kick-off event” for San Antonio’s renowned Fiesta® San Antonio celebration — 11 days of merriment, pageantry, parades and festivals, which bring thousands of visitors to the Alamo City every year in April.
Fiesta Arts Fair is a partnered fundraising event between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the UT San Antonio Alumni Association with proceeds benefiting the UT San Antonio adult and youth Community Art Programs at the Southwest Campus.
“Amazing grounds, wonderful people, good sales.”
"I love the intimate size of the show; the patrons were kind, enthusiastic, knowledgable, and supportive."
"The positive energy of the show beginning from the event staff, amenities for artists, and buying energy of the patrons"
Artist Amenities
Artists/exhibitors are selected with consideration of Fiesta Arts Fair’s standards of quality, originality and creativity, and production methodology as interpreted by a jury of 3 – 4 visual arts professionals. Artists submit 5 total images (4 of individual work consistant with what will be shown at the Fair, and the 5th image, a booth shot with no name or signage shown.) Prior to scoring, images are screened one at a time using a each juror's computer monitor. Jurors will also see the description, materials and dimensions for each image, and the artist statement. Applications are juried by media category. Each application is juried anonymously and given a numerical score, 1 – 7. Scores are computer tabulated and acceptance awarded to the highest scoring applicants.
The booth image must show overall continuity, scale, and presentation of the body of work being considered. Please do not reference your name or company name in your images, including your booth image. This is a blind jury process and names of applicants are not disclosed to jurors.
Approximately 105-115 artists/exhibitors are selected of which 6% will be invited and 94% will be selected through the jury process. Artist award winners from the previous year are given a one-year jury exempt status. Prior participation in any of the Fiesta Arts Fairs does not guarantee automatic selection to the Fair.
Eligible Media
Please read media categories carefully, and apply under the appropriate listing.
For more information visit our website.
Fiesta Arts Fair is a partnered fundraising event between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the UT San Antonio Alumni Association with proceeds benefiting the UT San Antonio adult and youth Community Art Programs at the Southwest Campus.
“Amazing grounds, wonderful people, good sales.”
"I love the intimate size of the show; the patrons were kind, enthusiastic, knowledgable, and supportive."
"The positive energy of the show beginning from the event staff, amenities for artists, and buying energy of the patrons"
Artist Amenities
- Volunteer Artist Relief/Booth Sitting
- 24-hour on-site security
- Promotional e-cards for mailing your customer list
- Gate handout with Fair map and artists listing
- Air-conditioned hospitality breakroom with indoor restrooms
- Saturday Artists’ Social
- Juror awarded cash prizes
Artists/exhibitors are selected with consideration of Fiesta Arts Fair’s standards of quality, originality and creativity, and production methodology as interpreted by a jury of 3 – 4 visual arts professionals. Artists submit 5 total images (4 of individual work consistant with what will be shown at the Fair, and the 5th image, a booth shot with no name or signage shown.) Prior to scoring, images are screened one at a time using a each juror's computer monitor. Jurors will also see the description, materials and dimensions for each image, and the artist statement. Applications are juried by media category. Each application is juried anonymously and given a numerical score, 1 – 7. Scores are computer tabulated and acceptance awarded to the highest scoring applicants.
The booth image must show overall continuity, scale, and presentation of the body of work being considered. Please do not reference your name or company name in your images, including your booth image. This is a blind jury process and names of applicants are not disclosed to jurors.
Approximately 105-115 artists/exhibitors are selected of which 6% will be invited and 94% will be selected through the jury process. Artist award winners from the previous year are given a one-year jury exempt status. Prior participation in any of the Fiesta Arts Fairs does not guarantee automatic selection to the Fair.
Eligible Media
Please read media categories carefully, and apply under the appropriate listing.
- Ceramics All original functional (not including jewelry) or sculptural work made by hand from clay.
- Digital Art Original drawn/painted or captured images created or manipulated digitally on a computer or tablet using digital programs, and printed by the artist or under the artis's direct supervision using inkjet or laser printing methods. Works must be one-of-a-kind or numbererd limited editions. *See Reproductions Policies.
- Digital Photography Original photographic images captured, created, altered and /or manipulated digitally on a computer, and printed by the artists or under the artist’s direct supervision using inkjet or laser printing methods. Works must be one-of-a-kind or numbered limited editions. *See Reproduction Policies
- Drawing Hand drawn works created on paper, canvas or other two-dimensional surface using dry media (crayon, charcoal, pencil, conté crayon, ink, marker, or pastel). *See Reproduction Policies
- Fiber/Leather Wearable and non-wearable work created using natural fiber materials including basketry, weaving, surface design, needlework, and leather.
- Glass Original work, other than jewelry, in which the primary material is glass—handblown, molded, fused, slumped, or stained glass.
- Jewelry Original wearable jewelry items, cast or fabricated primarily in fine metals and precious materials. No more than 15% of a piece should consist of commercial findings or components.
- Jewelry: Non-Precious Original jewelry constructed or assembled from non-precious or mixed materials such as clay, glass, polymer clay or other. No more than 15% of a piece should consist of commercial findings or components.
- Metal Functional (non-sculptural & non-wearable) objects cast, formed, or fabricated primarily from metal with or without additional elements.
- Painting Wet media (watercolor, oil, acrylic, gouache, tempera, lacquer, etc.) on paper, canvas or other flat surface. *See Reproduction Policies
- Photography (traditional) Original archival prints in black & white, color, or hand-tinted photographic prints made from the artist’s original images and produced by the artist using traditional darkroom printing techniques on traditional photographic paper. Works must be one-of-a-kind or numbered limited editions. Non-traditional photography should apply under Digital Photography. *See Reproduction Policies
- Printmaking* Original images, hand-manipulated and hand-pulled by the artist including etching, engraving, relief, silkscreen, stone or plate lithography. All prints must be limited editions, signed and numbered.
- Sculpture Three-dimensional, free-standing or hanging works (non-functional) that are carved, modeled, fabricated, or cast by the artist from wood, clay, stone, metal, fiber, or mixed media.
- Wood Furniture, decorative, utilitarian or sculptural objects hand or machined-tooled, constructed, turned, or carved from wood.
- 2-D Mixed Media Flat work created from a combination of more than one type of physical material and that does not fit into another category. *See Reproduction Policies
- 3-D Mixed Media Dimensional work (relief wall work or sculptureal in nature) created from any combination of physical material and that does not fit into another category.
For more information visit our website.
Application Requirements
- Fiesta Arts Fair is open only to artists directly involved as a major contributor of the time required in the design and creation of the artwork they exhibit. Only original work made by hand will be accepted — no mass produced or sourced or kit work allowed regardless of modification or enhancement. Commercially produced parts (jewelry findings, frames etc.) used must play a subordinate role.
- The principal artists involved in creating the work, including collaborators listed on the application, must be present and staff their booth during the Fair. No dealers, agents, or representatives will be permitted. Photo identification is required at check-in.
- Artists may only exhibit and sell work in the media category and body of work for which they are accepted. All jewelry, regardless of the material used, must have been juried in the jewelry or non-precious jewelry category.
- Artist/exhibitors may enter in more than one medium, but must submit separate applications, fees, and images. If only one application is accepted, only work in that medium may be exhibited.
- Prints exhibited by artists accepted in the digital/printmaking/photography/non-darkroom photography category must be limited editions and properly signed and numbered. Artists applying under 2-D mixed media/drawing/painting should also observe the reproduction policy.
- *Reproduction Policy: Reproduction Policy: Only limited edition (no Artists Proofs), signed and numbered reproductions of accompanying original artwork are allowed. Reproductions, including electrostatic (copier), inkjet (giclees), and offset lithographs, must be archival quality and clearly labeled “Reproduction”. Reproductions should comprise no more than 20% of the number of works in the artist’s booth, and should be unframed and displayed in bins or racks.
- NOTE: All batteries (including Jackery Power Stations) used for electrical power, as well as home-made, or damaged electrical appliances and cords are prohibited by UT San Antonio Risk Management department.
- Fiesta Arts Fair reserves the right to reject any artist’s displayed items not in keeping with the images submitted, as well as retains the right to prevent an artist from exhibiting for conduct deemed, in the Fair’s sole discretion, unacceptable and/or detrimental to the mission and reputation of the UT San Antonio, UT San Antonio Alumni Association, and Fiesta Arts Fair.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
500
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
110
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
6
Booth Information
Booth Payment and Paperwork | Due January 14, 2027
- Booth fees are payable by credit card or paypal on Zapplication and are due by January 14, 2027.
- Booth Request Paperwork will be emailed to accepted artists; the paperwork must also be returned to confirm your space by January 14, 2027 via email to barbara.hill@utsa.edu
- Preferences for booth location will be considered in the order of receipt of Booth Request Paperwork and full booth fee.
- The Fair offers 10-x-10-ft, 10-x-15 ft, or 10-x-20 ft booths. NOTE: 10-x-20 ft booths are limited. Most spaces are outdoors; a few (14%) are located indoors.
- Booth fees start at $425 for a 10-x-10 ft space and go up, depending on size and location. Corner spaces, electricity, tables and chairs are available for an additional fee.
- Booths are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis as determined by date of booth fee and booth paperwork received.
- Artists/exhibitors must provide their own tent and booth structure, which must be of sound design and not exceed the space allocated.
- Exhibitors must contain their display and artwork within the dimensions of the booth space rented. Exhibitors needing storage should note their request on their booth request paperwork. Behind the booth storage is limited and not guaranteed.
- Purchased electricity outside includs a shared power box and in the Chapel a wall outlet. Exhibitors must provide their own UL-listed Heavy Duty extension coards and/or pulg strips. Daisy-chained installation (cord into cord, plug strip into plug strip, pug-strip into exhtension cord, ect.) are prohibited. All batteries (including Jackery Power Stations) used for electrical power, as well as home-made, or damaged electrical appliances and cords are prohibited. All electrical installations will be subject to a go/no-go inspection by UT San Antonio Fire Prevention and Facilities; all decisions by UT San Antonio on the day of the event regarding booth space electrical installations are final.
Refund Policy
Application Fees: Are non-refundable
Booth Fees: You will be refunded all but $100 of your booth fee payment if you cancel prior to February 15, 2027. Refunds are not available after this date.
Booth Fees: You will be refunded all but $100 of your booth fee payment if you cancel prior to February 15, 2027. Refunds are not available after this date.
Additional Fees
Early Bird FAF Application Jury Fee : $25
Late FAF Application Jury Fee : $35
Surface Lot 10 x 20 Corner Booth (Double): $1,050
Chapel 20 x 10 Booth Space (Inside): $1,050
Surface Lot 10 x 20 In-line Booth (double): $850
Surface Lot 10 x 15 Corner: $850
Courtyard 15 x 10 Corner Booth: $850
Courtyard 10 x 20 Booth: $850
Loggia 10 x 20 (Courtyard under porch): $850
Chapel 15 x 10 Booth Space (Inside): $750
Surface Lot 10 x 15 In-line Booth (booth & a half): $650
Surface Lot 10 x 10 Corner Booth (single): $650
Courtyard 10 x 10 Corner Booth (single): $650
Chapel 10 x 10 Booth Space (Inside): $550
Surface Lot 10 x 10 In-line Booth (single): $450
Courtyard 10 x 10 In-Line Booth Space: $450
Loggia 10 x 10 (Courtyard under porch): $450
Electricity (outside only): $65
Table Rental: $15
Chair Rental: $5