Corn Hill Arts Festival 2027

Now in its 59th year, the annual Corn Hill Arts Festival celebrates the creation of original art, fosters community spirit, and raises funds for the Corn Hill Neighbors Association and the local community. Featuring approximately 350 talented artists and fine craftspeople, along with an impressive variety of food and live musical entertainment, this vibrant outdoor festival comes to life each year on the streets of Rochester’s oldest residential neighborhood — historic Corn Hill.

Attracting over 125,000 visitors each year, the two-day celebration highlights the best of city living and showcases Rochester’s deep commitment to the arts.

Organized and operated entirely by neighborhood volunteers, the Corn Hill Arts Festival has been consistently recognized by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the nation’s premier art festivals, earning enduring popularity among both visitors and artists alike.

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APPLICATION FEE  $40.00
Paid online via zapplication and non-refundable as long as event continues as planned. 
Each exhibiting artist must complete an online application with only one artist per entry, unless you are entering as collaborating artists. “Collaborating artists” is defined as a group of two (2) artists that work together on any one piece of art. If two artists collaborate, it is regarded as one joint entry. If accepted, all work exhibited must be collaborative.

THE JURYING PROCESS
Jurying is done separately for each category. The jury consists of professional artists. Jurying is anonymous and based solely on the images included with this application. Decisions of the jurors are final. Inquiries questioning or disputing the jurors’ decisions will not be answered. Four digital images are required, three of the artist's work and one booth shot. These images are viewed simultaneously during the jury process. Since selection to the Festival is based on these images, they must accurately represent the work to be exhibited. Scores are based on originality, technique, design and overall impact. Artists with the highest scores in each category are invited to attend. Individual critiques are not offered by the jurors.

DIGITAL IMAGES
Four (4) images are to be submitted for each individual media category entered by the artists: three (3) images must be of individual pieces of artwork and the fourth (4th) must be a booth image showing the overall continuity and professional presentation of the artist’s current body of work. The jury needs to see both the display and the work which the artist plans to bring to the show.
Note: The booth image is mandatory. DO NOT submit booth images with any identifiable sign or photo of the artist. Virtual booth images will not be accepted.

ACCEPTABLE WORK - MEDIA CATEGORY 
All items displayed and sold must be designed and executed by the accepted artist (no “buy and sell”). Items displayed for sale must be consistent with the accepted juried images.
Artists will be juried in the following categories:

• Jewelry
• Mixed Media
• Painting, Drawing & Graphics
• Photography
• Pottery & Ceramics
• Sculpture & Glass
• Weaving, Leather & Textiles
• Woodworking
• Consumable Crafts (Packaged Food, Candles, Lotions, etc)

The Festival Management Committee reserves the right to reassign the artist’s category as deemed necessary.

AWARDS
During the Festival, each artist’s work is evaluated by an on-site jury consisting of local art professionals in each art category. A cash prize will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners in eight categories for a total of $8,000.00. Other prize monies may be awarded at the festival. Prizes will not be awarded in the Consumable Craft category.

AWARD WINNER BONUS
Any artist who receives a cash award at the 2027 Corn Hill Arts Festival or is the featured artist, and submits an application to the 2028 Corn Hill Arts Festival by the deadline will be exempt from the 2028 jury process. Please note that all standard fees still apply. 2026 Award winners are exempt from the jury process for the 2027 festival (standard fees apply).

POSTER ARTIST
The Corn Hill Neighbors Association is seeking a talented artist to create the official commemorative poster for the 59th Annual Corn Hill Arts Festival. The Corn Hill Neighbors Association invites artists to submit original pieces or art that capture the vibrant energy and the historic charm of the Corn Hill neighborhood.  Please visit https://cornhillartsfestival.com/apply/poster-artist-request-for-proposal/ for more information and to submit your image.

ARTIST AMENITIES

• Dedicated street managers to assist with information, breaks, assorted needs.
• Artist Only Bathrooms
• Daytime and overnight security throughout festival grounds
• Free parking permit for nearby streets; free overnight parking for RV's and trailers
• Over 90K in advertising and media coverage to promote festival foot traffic

CONTACTS & LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

STATE OF NEW YORK TAX ID INFORMATION
(518) 485-2889 or http://www.tax.ny.gov
 
ROCHESTER NY INFORMATION (tourism and accommodations)
visitrochester.com
 
CORN HILL NEIGHBORS ASSOCIATION
cornhill.org
 
CORN HILL ARTS FESTIVAL
cornhillartsfestival.com

FESTIVAL TERMS
Hereafter, the Corn Hill Arts Festival will be referred to as CHAF and the Corn Hill Neighbors Association, Inc. will be referred to as CHNA.

1. Exhibitors must abide by the requirements as set forth in this application. Those exhibitors who do not display items depicted in the images submitted to the jury may be asked to leave. In the event the product and/or the vendor is removed from the Festival, the artist forfeits his or her booth fee. The Corn Hill Arts Festival Management Team and its representatives, contractors and volunteers shall not be liable for lost profits or consequential or incidental damages including, but not limited to: travel, lodging, insurance or wages.
2. All Exhibitors must be registered with the State of New York and display “Certificate of Authority” at all times during the Festival. Artists are responsible for collection and payment of 8% local sales tax - 4% on clothing under $110.00. If your registration is pending, you may write “pending” on this application.  For information regarding a NY State Tax Certificate, contact the NY State Tax Department at 518-485-2889 or http://www.tax.ny.gov.
3. Exhibitors may not advertise discounted, reduced or “sale” prices. Exhibitors are prohibited from displaying ribbons and/or awards from other shows or past Corn Hill Arts Festivals.
4. In response to requests from residents, Exhibitors are not permitted to sell real or toy replicas or representations or images of guns, knives or similar items, including any depiction of weapons.
5. Exhibitors are not permitted to sell items or display materials that either promote or disparage individuals or groups based on race, religious expression, political affiliation, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other characteristic intended to advance one part of society at the detriment of another.
6. Exhibitor’s liability insurance shall be purchased and maintained by the Exhibitor to protect him/her from claims under Workers’ Compensation Acts or other employee benefit acts, claims for damages because of bodily injury and from claims for damages to property which may arise out of or result from the Exhibitors’ operations. The CHAF/CHNA requires that this insurance shall be written for not less than a $500,000 limit of liability.
7. CHAF/CHNA is not responsible for any damage, loss of personal property, personal injury or accidents involving Exhibitors and their personnel. Exhibitors indemnify and agree to hold the CHAF/CHNA harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, lawsuits, costs, penalties, expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) and judgments due to breach of this agreement by Exhibitors or their personnel.
8. This information and the application contain the entire understanding of the Exhibitor and CHAF / CHNA. There are no other representations or promises. No changes shall be binding unless in writing, signed by the Exhibitor and CHAF.
9. Failure on the part of the Exhibitor or CHAF/CHNA to complain of any non-action on the part of the other, no matter how long it continues, shall not be deemed a waiver, then or thereafter, of any of its rights under this agreement arising out of the operation of the Exhibitor’s business during the Festival.
10. Your submission of the application indicates that you agree and will comply with the terms and conditions stated herein.

BOOTH FEES: 
Single booth (10’x10’) $300
Double booth (10’x20’) $575
Limited electricity is available and must be indicated on application: $55 per plug. If accepted to festival, electric may be purchased during booth purchase and our team will make best efforts to place in a compatible location. If electricity is paid for by and not used by an artist, refunds for the electricity will not be refunded.
Due to increased difficulty to obtain electric power in our historic neighborhood, we encourage artists to bring their own battery packs.  (Generators are not allowed.).  For those who prefer to purchase electric, please bring a long extension cord for outdoor purposes.

TERMS AND DESCRIPTION FOR BOOTH SET UP AND DISPLAY:

• Exhibit spaces are approximately 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep, located on a variety of pavement, sidewalk and grass. Exhibitors and their belongings must stay within these boundaries.
• No specific booth locations are guaranteed.
• Exhibitors must be set up by 8 a.m. on both days and remain open until the specified closing times unless notified by Festival officials. Exhibitors may begin setting up display booths after 12 p.m. on Friday July 9th. All booths should be secure and stable in construction.Your booth must be enclosed on three sides with vending from the street side.
• Exhibitors must display their CHAF identification Certificates at the front of their booths at all times during the Festival hours.
• Utilities are not guaranteed, and fees are charged if provided.
• Display booths and items left in place before, during, or after the show hours are the full responsibility of the Exhibitor.

REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY: The application fee is non-refundable.  
Submission of a booth fee is considered a commitment to participate. No booth fee refunds will be issued after May 26, 2027. 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.