Fairs/Festivals
East Lansing Art Festival 2027
East Lansing, Michigan
Jury Fee: $35
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply. Emerging Artist Program or Grants exist.
- Submission Limit: 20
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Established in 1964, the East Lansing Art Festival is an evolving outdoor celebration of fine art and fine craft which has grown to include an interactive artist demonstration area, poetry and live music. The free festival opens on Saturday morning and runs through Sunday evening. This highly anticipated mid-Michigan festival attracted over 66,000 knowledgeable art patrons from around the region and country in 2026 and is consistently ranked in Sunshine Artist Magazine's annual best 100 shows listing.
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General Information
JURY FEE - The jury fee, before and on November 30, 2026, is $35.00. Beginning December 1, 2026, the fee is $45.00. The jury fee is nonrefundable. Deadline is midnight, January 31, 2027. The jury process takes place in February. Notifications will be sent to artists of status by the first week of March.
BOOTH SPACE AND FEES - All booths, regardless of size, are assigned on a first paid, first served basis. In the event that the festival takes a Virtual platform instead of a Live platform, Jury fees will NOT be reimbursed, but booth fees will. There are no booth fee refunds for show cancellation due to weather emergencies.
Accept & Purchase Deadline: April 1, 2027
Single (10 W x 10 D) Booth: $400.00
Single Booth with Corner: $465.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
Double (20 W X 10 D) Booth: $800.00
Double Booth with corner $855.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) cannot guarantee specific booth space location regardless of artists’ past participation at this festival. Convenient Friday drive-up set-up is by assigned time. Artists must bring their own tent, weights, tarps and displays. For uniformity, all tents MUST be white. No other tent colors will be allowed. There must be at least 40 pounds of weight per tent leg. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to change the location of allocated spaces and site plan without advanced notice.
When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, state and City of East Lansing.
ELIGIBILITY - The ELAF maintains high standards of quality in fine art/fine crafts. All work must be the creation of the exhibiting artist: the original concept, design, style and execution must be attributable solely to the displaying artist(s). All work on display must be consistent with the images submitted. Artists must be 18 years of age or older.
CANCELLATION DEADLINE - To cancel with a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee, email Heather Majano, Art Festival Director at hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com by April 1, 2027 midnight EST. No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027.
HOW TO APPLY - All applicants must apply online through Zapplication by midnight Eastern Standard Time, January 31, 2027. Artists wishing to jury in more than one category (i.e. glass and jewelry) are required to complete an application for each category.
*Note* ZAPP has the capacity to allow artists to apply in more than one category without creating a separate ZAPP profile for each application.
All images of exhibiting artists to the 2027 ELAF may be considered for use in promotional materials by the ELAF and one image may be used on the artist page of www.elartfest.com.
When applying to the ELAF please keep in mind that the information and answers you provide will be used by the ELAF staff for purposes of contacting, record keeping and rule assessment.
Please make sure your contact and website information are current and up to date. This information will be used to link festival goers to you from our website as well as to mail physical copies of show paperwork and fliers.
There will be approximately 200 spots available in 2027 and will be dependent on the number of exempt artists returning.
Artists are responsible for the collection, reporting and payment of all State of Michigan and City of East Lansing taxes.
COLLABORATING ARTISTS (Definition) - A collaborating artist is involved in the design and creation of the artwork represented in the application; collaborators are not assistants, business partners, employees, apprentices or part of the production studio. Supportive and ancillary activities (i.e. matting, & framing, applying a wash, prepping canvas etc.) are not considered part of the collaborative effort. Both collaborators are required to be listed on the application and both must be present at the festival in its entirety. Organizers will check ID upon arrival at check-in. Representatives, commercial agents, dealers and/or salespeople are prohibited from operating the artist’s booth. Under no circumstances may you sublet your booth, in whole or in part, with or without charge. No booth sharing between independent artists will be permitted. You may not display or advertise the work of individuals other than those accepted and specified in your application.
INVITATIONAL ARTISTS - (Those exempt from jury, for 2027) All Invitational Artists (those artists that have won awards at the ELAF in the past three years) must apply via Zapplication® http://www.zapplication.org, by January 31, 2026 midnight Eastern Standard Time. Submit one application per category. Invitational Artists will receive a coupon code, via email, for 100% off jury fee.
BOOTH IMAGE REQUIREMENTS – The ELAF jurors want to see that the images you are submitting represent work which is included in your booth shot. A lack of consistency between your submitted images and the work included in your booth shot can lower your overall score.
The Booth image should represent your current tent and display to be used for exhibition at the festival. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHOTOS OF YOU OR YOUR CUSTOMERS, THE NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR STUDIO IN YOUR BOOTH PHOTO. This is to ensure anonymity in the jury process. Reminder that only white tents are allowed for booths at the ELAF.
Submission of images that represent items that appear to be manufactured, buy/sell or otherwise fall outside this festival’s rules of participation is cause for disqualification at any time during and after the jury process.
ARTIST AMENITIES
WITHDRAWING - If you must withdraw from the festival, please email Heather Majano at hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com. Deadline for cancellation is Thursday, April 1, 2027 for full refund, minus a $25 processing fee.
No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027.
DIGITAL JURYING - The jury, a panel of experts, participates both digitally and on-site and has a broad knowledge of art.
Images and statements are reviewed by jurors objectively.
Each application is given a score between 1 (low) – 7 (high) and the artists with the highest scores in each category are invited to exhibit.
ON-SITE JURYING - Jurors visit each booth on Saturday, during the first day of the festival. Jurors score each booth and the highest scores receive awards of cash prizes or art purchased. Those winning awards are then exempt from Jury and invited to exhibit for the following three consecutive festivals. Site jurors should be considered “mystery shoppers” and therefore may not identify themselves to artists during the site jury process. The festival does not publish the names of site jurors to respect their privacy. Exhibitor eligibility for awards is determined at the discretion of the jurors and overseen by the Festival Organizers. Having won a prior award does not exclude an exhibitor from winning again, however artists who have already received awards from the ELAF will only be considered for future awards after their 3-year invitational award status has ended. Exhibiting artists have the option of opting out of the site jury/award selection process by sending an opt-out request prior to festival weekend to hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com.
WAIT LIST - Artists who receive high scores in their category but are below the initial cut-off will be placed on the wait list. Artists on the wait list will be informed of the decision via email. Artists on the waitlist will be contacted if space in their respective medium becomes available. Spaces become available upon cancellation and all attempts are made to replace medium for medium. If this is not possible, vacancies are filled by the highest scores remaining in other categories. This is done to keep a balance and variety of mediums in the festival.
BOOTH SPACE AND FEES - All booths, regardless of size, are assigned on a first paid, first served basis. In the event that the festival takes a Virtual platform instead of a Live platform, Jury fees will NOT be reimbursed, but booth fees will. There are no booth fee refunds for show cancellation due to weather emergencies.
Accept & Purchase Deadline: April 1, 2027
Single (10 W x 10 D) Booth: $400.00
Single Booth with Corner: $465.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
Double (20 W X 10 D) Booth: $800.00
Double Booth with corner $855.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) cannot guarantee specific booth space location regardless of artists’ past participation at this festival. Convenient Friday drive-up set-up is by assigned time. Artists must bring their own tent, weights, tarps and displays. For uniformity, all tents MUST be white. No other tent colors will be allowed. There must be at least 40 pounds of weight per tent leg. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to change the location of allocated spaces and site plan without advanced notice.
When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, state and City of East Lansing.
ELIGIBILITY - The ELAF maintains high standards of quality in fine art/fine crafts. All work must be the creation of the exhibiting artist: the original concept, design, style and execution must be attributable solely to the displaying artist(s). All work on display must be consistent with the images submitted. Artists must be 18 years of age or older.
CANCELLATION DEADLINE - To cancel with a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee, email Heather Majano, Art Festival Director at hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com by April 1, 2027 midnight EST. No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027.
HOW TO APPLY - All applicants must apply online through Zapplication by midnight Eastern Standard Time, January 31, 2027. Artists wishing to jury in more than one category (i.e. glass and jewelry) are required to complete an application for each category.
*Note* ZAPP has the capacity to allow artists to apply in more than one category without creating a separate ZAPP profile for each application.
All images of exhibiting artists to the 2027 ELAF may be considered for use in promotional materials by the ELAF and one image may be used on the artist page of www.elartfest.com.
When applying to the ELAF please keep in mind that the information and answers you provide will be used by the ELAF staff for purposes of contacting, record keeping and rule assessment.
Please make sure your contact and website information are current and up to date. This information will be used to link festival goers to you from our website as well as to mail physical copies of show paperwork and fliers.
There will be approximately 200 spots available in 2027 and will be dependent on the number of exempt artists returning.
Artists are responsible for the collection, reporting and payment of all State of Michigan and City of East Lansing taxes.
COLLABORATING ARTISTS (Definition) - A collaborating artist is involved in the design and creation of the artwork represented in the application; collaborators are not assistants, business partners, employees, apprentices or part of the production studio. Supportive and ancillary activities (i.e. matting, & framing, applying a wash, prepping canvas etc.) are not considered part of the collaborative effort. Both collaborators are required to be listed on the application and both must be present at the festival in its entirety. Organizers will check ID upon arrival at check-in. Representatives, commercial agents, dealers and/or salespeople are prohibited from operating the artist’s booth. Under no circumstances may you sublet your booth, in whole or in part, with or without charge. No booth sharing between independent artists will be permitted. You may not display or advertise the work of individuals other than those accepted and specified in your application.
INVITATIONAL ARTISTS - (Those exempt from jury, for 2027) All Invitational Artists (those artists that have won awards at the ELAF in the past three years) must apply via Zapplication® http://www.zapplication.org, by January 31, 2026 midnight Eastern Standard Time. Submit one application per category. Invitational Artists will receive a coupon code, via email, for 100% off jury fee.
BOOTH IMAGE REQUIREMENTS – The ELAF jurors want to see that the images you are submitting represent work which is included in your booth shot. A lack of consistency between your submitted images and the work included in your booth shot can lower your overall score.
The Booth image should represent your current tent and display to be used for exhibition at the festival. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHOTOS OF YOU OR YOUR CUSTOMERS, THE NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR STUDIO IN YOUR BOOTH PHOTO. This is to ensure anonymity in the jury process. Reminder that only white tents are allowed for booths at the ELAF.
Submission of images that represent items that appear to be manufactured, buy/sell or otherwise fall outside this festival’s rules of participation is cause for disqualification at any time during and after the jury process.
ARTIST AMENITIES
- ~$6,000 in Artist Awards. All award winners are exempt from jury for the following three consecutive festivals.
- Award certificates are presented to winning artists.
- Complementary promotional postcards sent to exhibiting artists.
- Friday drive-up load-in at booth assignment.
- Booth sitters available for artists to take breaks. Saturday and Sunday only.
- Green room access with snacks, water and restroom
- Free Artist parking.
- Security patrols Friday and Saturday nights.
WITHDRAWING - If you must withdraw from the festival, please email Heather Majano at hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com. Deadline for cancellation is Thursday, April 1, 2027 for full refund, minus a $25 processing fee.
No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027.
DIGITAL JURYING - The jury, a panel of experts, participates both digitally and on-site and has a broad knowledge of art.
Images and statements are reviewed by jurors objectively.
Each application is given a score between 1 (low) – 7 (high) and the artists with the highest scores in each category are invited to exhibit.
ON-SITE JURYING - Jurors visit each booth on Saturday, during the first day of the festival. Jurors score each booth and the highest scores receive awards of cash prizes or art purchased. Those winning awards are then exempt from Jury and invited to exhibit for the following three consecutive festivals. Site jurors should be considered “mystery shoppers” and therefore may not identify themselves to artists during the site jury process. The festival does not publish the names of site jurors to respect their privacy. Exhibitor eligibility for awards is determined at the discretion of the jurors and overseen by the Festival Organizers. Having won a prior award does not exclude an exhibitor from winning again, however artists who have already received awards from the ELAF will only be considered for future awards after their 3-year invitational award status has ended. Exhibiting artists have the option of opting out of the site jury/award selection process by sending an opt-out request prior to festival weekend to hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com.
WAIT LIST - Artists who receive high scores in their category but are below the initial cut-off will be placed on the wait list. Artists on the wait list will be informed of the decision via email. Artists on the waitlist will be contacted if space in their respective medium becomes available. Spaces become available upon cancellation and all attempts are made to replace medium for medium. If this is not possible, vacancies are filled by the highest scores remaining in other categories. This is done to keep a balance and variety of mediums in the festival.
Application Requirements
Participation Rules - By submitting your application to the ELAF you agree to abide by all festival rules and the legal agreement. Participants must comply with the City Code, including the Human Relations Ordinance, to the extent it is applicable. Failure to comply with any of these rules will result in immediate removal from the show and disqualification from other ELAF events. Photo ID will be required at check-in for the accepted, primary artist as indicated on the artist application, as well as the collaborator (if applicable). All work exhibited and sold at the ELAF must be original and of the artist’s own creation. The artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands. ELAF Organizers reserve the right to determine which applicants meet eligibility requirements, and which category or categories an applicant belongs in.
Applications must include a technical description of the artwork not to exceed 500 characters. The description should include technique or other information to assist the jury in defining what they are seeing in the submitted images. ELAF reserves the right to question any applicant about his/her creative practice prior to jurying, and prior to or during the festival. This includes, but is not limited to, requiring photos and/or video of the studio and artist working. The ELAF reserves the right to disqualify any applicant or exhibitor whose artwork is made in a production studio, defined as a process consisting of multiple individuals (other than artists) who design, fabricate and assemble the artwork contained in the application. Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may exhibit jewelry; all jewelry, regardless of material must be juried in the jewelry category.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Art that uses AI to create materials including, but not limited to graphics, pictures, art and images will not be accepted. Artists found to be exhibiting or selling AI-generated work may be subject to immediate removal from the event and may be deemed ineligible for future participation.
Cancellation and no-show policy - Failure to give advanced notice of inability to attend once booth fee is paid may result in disqualification from the ELAF in the future. There are no full refunds for cancellations after April 1, 2027.
Artists may not leave the festival early.
Prohibited items
Applicants featuring ineligible items in their application images will be disqualified during the application jury process. The ELAF Organizers may ask exhibiting artists to remove such items from display during the festival and reserve the right to remove exhibitors from the festival if they have been accepted under false pretenses by misrepresenting their work during the application jury process.
Reproductions and Limited Editions - Reproductions include any method of making multiple copies of original art. Work created using photo, mechanical or digital is considered to be a reproduction.
Reproductions have the following characteristics: work is not the product of the artist’s own hand, reproduced copies are identical, and the copies are made by a commercial entity and not made by the artist's own hand. Methods of printmaking, in limited runs, such as intaglio, lithography, relief painting and other traditional means, are not considered reproductions. Photography and digital art that utilize photographs and/or computer technology are inherently reproducible. The use of cropping, enlargement and darkroom and digital processes, which can produce different effects even from the same negative/image, is allowed. Exhibiting fine art photographers are required to show only work that they have signed, numbered and produced in limited editions of no more than 250 and is not considered to be reproductions. The ELAF prohibits the exhibition or sale of any commercial reproductions of paintings, drawings, prints, digital art, photographs or any other fine art media. However, we do allow each 2-D artist (painting, drawing, etc.) one bin of limited editions during the show.
Limited editions may only include prints and/or cards. Limited editions will not be eligible for awards. Artists must define “a limited edition” through their artist statement and must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes in their booth, and to the buyer, during the festival. The ELAF Organizers reserve the right to make determinations regarding reproductions that do not fit within these guidelines.
Courtesy and professional conduct - There is an expectation of civility, patience and common courtesy at this event. We rely on the dedication of volunteers and returning arts patrons to make this event a pleasant venue where artists successfully sell their artwork each year. It is our wish that every exhibitor, art patron and volunteer have an enjoyable experience at the ELAF. When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, State of Michigan and City of East Lansing. Artist agrees to follow load-in, load-out and parking procedures as well as general festival rules of participation. Exhibitors are expected to cooperate with festival staff and volunteers and to be courteous to their neighboring exhibitors. Artists who disrespect or mistreat patrons, volunteers, staff and/or fellow artists will not be invited back to exhibit at this festival in the future.
Cash and purchase awards - Approximately $6,000 in awards will be presented to artists based on the quality of their exhibited work as ranked by the impartial site jury. A list of winners will be available at the festival site office Sunday, during festival hours.
Festival representatives will present and collect purchase award artwork before the end of the festival on Sunday afternoon.
Artists who have already received awards from the ELAF are still eligible to be considered for future awards after their 3-year invitational award status has ended.
If you win an award at the ELAF, we hope you will proudly display it on Sunday. You may not display awards or ribbons from other shows, including previous ELAF awards, to avoid confusion. You may keep an album or portfolio of awards and other materials in your booth.
Severe weather - While the ELAF is a rain or shine event, your safety and the safety of our patrons are of the utmost importance. The festival Organizers reserve the right to close the festival due to potentially severe weather. There are no booth fee refunds for show cancellation due to weather emergencies. Artists must make sure their tents are properly weighted down in case of windy conditions. Artists may not leave the festival site early due to severe weather.
Artists must bring their own tent weights to secure their tent against inclement weather. Booths must be secured with at least 40lbs on each tent leg. The festival reserves the right to inspect tents and require artists to purchase more weight before participating in the festival if tents are not properly weighted and secured. The ELAF cannot provide tent weights and is not responsible for damage to tent, displays, artwork or personal belongings.
Security - The ELAF hires a professional security guard service to watch over the festival grounds on Friday and Saturday evenings to serve as a deterrent. The East Lansing Police Department will also be actively patrolling the festival grounds. Artists should be insured and are responsible to secure their tents against theft or damage. The ELAF and City of East Lansing are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged artwork or personal items. Artists must close their tent completely overnight so that no artwork is visible or accessible from outside the tent. Security is present to deter and prevent theft only.
Tax/Tax ID - State of Michigan law requires all ELAF exhibitors to pay all applicable Michigan Sales Tax directly to the State of Michigan. As an exhibitor you agree to hold the City of East Lansing and the East Lansing Art Festival harmless from tax payment related to your participation in the East Lansing Art Festival. State of Michigan Treasury representatives may be at the festival to verify sales tax licenses and provide concessionaire sales tax return and payment forms. For more information please visit Michigan Department of Treasury online or call: 517-636-6925.
Pets at the festival - Animals are not permitted in the Food Court area. We ask pet owners to please be considerate of other festival artists and guests. We strongly recommend that you leave your pets at home.
ELAF Organizers reserve the right to modify festival rules without prior notice.
Applications must include a technical description of the artwork not to exceed 500 characters. The description should include technique or other information to assist the jury in defining what they are seeing in the submitted images. ELAF reserves the right to question any applicant about his/her creative practice prior to jurying, and prior to or during the festival. This includes, but is not limited to, requiring photos and/or video of the studio and artist working. The ELAF reserves the right to disqualify any applicant or exhibitor whose artwork is made in a production studio, defined as a process consisting of multiple individuals (other than artists) who design, fabricate and assemble the artwork contained in the application. Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may exhibit jewelry; all jewelry, regardless of material must be juried in the jewelry category.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Art that uses AI to create materials including, but not limited to graphics, pictures, art and images will not be accepted. Artists found to be exhibiting or selling AI-generated work may be subject to immediate removal from the event and may be deemed ineligible for future participation.
Cancellation and no-show policy - Failure to give advanced notice of inability to attend once booth fee is paid may result in disqualification from the ELAF in the future. There are no full refunds for cancellations after April 1, 2027.
Artists may not leave the festival early.
Prohibited items
- Buy/sell and manufactured items of any kind are prohibited.
- Representatives and large studio work
- Food items of any kind
- Beauty products
- Candles
- T-shirts
- Tote bags
- Mass-produced items with reproduced artwork such as postcards, books, note cards, posters, magnets, pillows, etc.
Applicants featuring ineligible items in their application images will be disqualified during the application jury process. The ELAF Organizers may ask exhibiting artists to remove such items from display during the festival and reserve the right to remove exhibitors from the festival if they have been accepted under false pretenses by misrepresenting their work during the application jury process.
Reproductions and Limited Editions - Reproductions include any method of making multiple copies of original art. Work created using photo, mechanical or digital is considered to be a reproduction.
Reproductions have the following characteristics: work is not the product of the artist’s own hand, reproduced copies are identical, and the copies are made by a commercial entity and not made by the artist's own hand. Methods of printmaking, in limited runs, such as intaglio, lithography, relief painting and other traditional means, are not considered reproductions. Photography and digital art that utilize photographs and/or computer technology are inherently reproducible. The use of cropping, enlargement and darkroom and digital processes, which can produce different effects even from the same negative/image, is allowed. Exhibiting fine art photographers are required to show only work that they have signed, numbered and produced in limited editions of no more than 250 and is not considered to be reproductions. The ELAF prohibits the exhibition or sale of any commercial reproductions of paintings, drawings, prints, digital art, photographs or any other fine art media. However, we do allow each 2-D artist (painting, drawing, etc.) one bin of limited editions during the show.
Limited editions may only include prints and/or cards. Limited editions will not be eligible for awards. Artists must define “a limited edition” through their artist statement and must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes in their booth, and to the buyer, during the festival. The ELAF Organizers reserve the right to make determinations regarding reproductions that do not fit within these guidelines.
Courtesy and professional conduct - There is an expectation of civility, patience and common courtesy at this event. We rely on the dedication of volunteers and returning arts patrons to make this event a pleasant venue where artists successfully sell their artwork each year. It is our wish that every exhibitor, art patron and volunteer have an enjoyable experience at the ELAF. When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, State of Michigan and City of East Lansing. Artist agrees to follow load-in, load-out and parking procedures as well as general festival rules of participation. Exhibitors are expected to cooperate with festival staff and volunteers and to be courteous to their neighboring exhibitors. Artists who disrespect or mistreat patrons, volunteers, staff and/or fellow artists will not be invited back to exhibit at this festival in the future.
Cash and purchase awards - Approximately $6,000 in awards will be presented to artists based on the quality of their exhibited work as ranked by the impartial site jury. A list of winners will be available at the festival site office Sunday, during festival hours.
Festival representatives will present and collect purchase award artwork before the end of the festival on Sunday afternoon.
Artists who have already received awards from the ELAF are still eligible to be considered for future awards after their 3-year invitational award status has ended.
If you win an award at the ELAF, we hope you will proudly display it on Sunday. You may not display awards or ribbons from other shows, including previous ELAF awards, to avoid confusion. You may keep an album or portfolio of awards and other materials in your booth.
Severe weather - While the ELAF is a rain or shine event, your safety and the safety of our patrons are of the utmost importance. The festival Organizers reserve the right to close the festival due to potentially severe weather. There are no booth fee refunds for show cancellation due to weather emergencies. Artists must make sure their tents are properly weighted down in case of windy conditions. Artists may not leave the festival site early due to severe weather.
Artists must bring their own tent weights to secure their tent against inclement weather. Booths must be secured with at least 40lbs on each tent leg. The festival reserves the right to inspect tents and require artists to purchase more weight before participating in the festival if tents are not properly weighted and secured. The ELAF cannot provide tent weights and is not responsible for damage to tent, displays, artwork or personal belongings.
Security - The ELAF hires a professional security guard service to watch over the festival grounds on Friday and Saturday evenings to serve as a deterrent. The East Lansing Police Department will also be actively patrolling the festival grounds. Artists should be insured and are responsible to secure their tents against theft or damage. The ELAF and City of East Lansing are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged artwork or personal items. Artists must close their tent completely overnight so that no artwork is visible or accessible from outside the tent. Security is present to deter and prevent theft only.
Tax/Tax ID - State of Michigan law requires all ELAF exhibitors to pay all applicable Michigan Sales Tax directly to the State of Michigan. As an exhibitor you agree to hold the City of East Lansing and the East Lansing Art Festival harmless from tax payment related to your participation in the East Lansing Art Festival. State of Michigan Treasury representatives may be at the festival to verify sales tax licenses and provide concessionaire sales tax return and payment forms. For more information please visit Michigan Department of Treasury online or call: 517-636-6925.
Pets at the festival - Animals are not permitted in the Food Court area. We ask pet owners to please be considerate of other festival artists and guests. We strongly recommend that you leave your pets at home.
ELAF Organizers reserve the right to modify festival rules without prior notice.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
320
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
200
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
10
Booth Information
BOOTH SPACE AND FEES - All booths, regardless of size, are assigned on a first paid, first served basis. In the event that the festival takes a Virtual platform instead of a Live platform, Jury fees will NOT be reimbursed, but booth fees will. There are no booth fee refunds for show cancellation due to weather emergencies.
Accept & Purchase Deadline: April 1, 2027
Single (10 W x 10 D) Booth: $400.00
Single Booth with Corner: $465.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
Double (20 W X 10 D) Booth: $800.00
Double Booth with corner $855.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) cannot guarantee specific booth space location regardless of artists’ past participation at this festival. Convenient Friday drive-up set-up is by assigned time. Artists must bring their own tent, weights, tarps and displays. For uniformity, all tents MUST be white. No other tent colors will be allowed. There must be at least 40 pounds of weight per tent leg. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to change the location of allocated spaces and site plan without advanced notice.
When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, state and City of East Lansing.
Accept & Purchase Deadline: April 1, 2027
Single (10 W x 10 D) Booth: $400.00
Single Booth with Corner: $465.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
Double (20 W X 10 D) Booth: $800.00
Double Booth with corner $855.00 (corner is defined as two open sides of your tent)
The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) cannot guarantee specific booth space location regardless of artists’ past participation at this festival. Convenient Friday drive-up set-up is by assigned time. Artists must bring their own tent, weights, tarps and displays. For uniformity, all tents MUST be white. No other tent colors will be allowed. There must be at least 40 pounds of weight per tent leg. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to change the location of allocated spaces and site plan without advanced notice.
When accepting the invitation to exhibit at the ELAF, the Artist agrees to abide by all rules of the ELAF, state and City of East Lansing.
Refund Policy
WITHDRAWING - If you must withdraw from the festival, please email Heather Majano at hmajano@cityofeastlansing.com. Deadline for cancellation is Thursday, April 1, 2027 for full refund, minus a $25 processing fee.
No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027
No refunds, after Thursday, April 1, 2027
Additional Fees
Double Booth with corner: $855
Double Booth (20 W X 10 D) : $800
Single Booth with Corner: $465
Single Booth (10 W x 10 D) : $400