Fairs/Festivals
Old Fourth Ward Arts FALL Festival: 2027 (September 26-27) Historic Fourth Ward Park, Atlanta, Ga
Contact Information
Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces
Contact Email: randallfox2003@yahoo.com / info@affps.com
Contact Phone: 470-929-6095
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
Held in what is considered to be the most up-and-coming neighborhood in Metro Atlanta, the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival is a two-day celebration of community and tradition presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, for people of all ages, races, customs, and interests. The Festival is a major celebration of the arts while honoring the rich history of our community. At this festival, there is something for everyone: fine arts and crafts, a children's play area, local food and beverage concessions, and live acoustic entertainment. All this is within the environment of Atlanta's most lovely park and is part of the celebration of the Beltline redevelopment. Formerly, this area flanked "City Hall East," which is now under redevelopment as Ponce City Market by Jamestown Properties. This area is targeted as one of the prime examples of urban redevelopment and innovation, benefiting the surrounding communities.
Approximately 100 artists will participate in this annual event.
Festival Hours: Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Approximately 100 artists will participate in this annual event.
Festival Hours: Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
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General Information
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:
Accept applications: October 03, 2026
Accept invitation & purchase deadline: September 15, 2027
Wait List Released: September 02, 2026 (or as deemed necessary by event/ category by category)
Event Dates: September 25-26, 2027
Load In: Saturday- September 25, 2026 (8:00 AM-9:30 AM) *Per City permit/guidelines
Saturday (11:00 AM - 6:00PM) Sunday (11:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.
CATEGORIES
2-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography. The finished art is suitable for wall mounting.
3-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as mosaic, papier mache, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or, any other 3-dimensional objects.
Ceramics: Original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku.
Digital Art: Two-dimensional works from which the original image is manipulated by the artist using a computer using programs such as Drawing, Illustrator, Paint, or, other software applications.
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or, chalk. The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or, lithography. All prints must be signed and numbered by the artist. Photocopies are not permitted.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handicraft: Handmade items made by the artist from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials transforming the combined materials into a unique product into a cohesive collection. A complete description of the items is required.
Jewelry: All Jewelry is crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials. Commercial molds or casts are not permitted. At least 50% of the organic materials in the finished product used must be produced by the artist.
Metal: Functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or digital images made from the artist’s original negative or taken with a digital camera that has been processed by the artist.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work is done in any individual medium.
Wood & Furniture: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or tooled. Embellished manufactured wood items are not permitted.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- T-shirts and commercial clothing
- Posters
- Manufactured toys
- Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
- Jewelry is made from more than 50% manufactured components
- Any item that employs the use of commercially available molds or patterns
AMENITIES
- Water will be provided for artists on Saturday and Sunday.
- Booth Sitters are available during event hours upon request. (if available)
- Designated Festival Hotline available during event hours regarding assistance, emergencies, questions, concerns, etc.
- Saturday Load-In as directed by the City
- 24 Hour on-site Security
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION
- AFFPS is among the top award-winning art festival organizations in the southeast.
- Voted Best Festivals by local media
- The holder of the only Guinness World Record by any arts festival organization in the U.S.
- AFFPS employs professional marketing strategies including:
- PR and online media platforms
- Print and online media ads
- Radio and TV
- Billboards, banners, posters, and yard signs
- Extensive business partner collaboration
- Social media
- Dedicated interactive website
- Direct mail
- 300+ online calendar entries
PARKING
Off-site Artist Parking will be available. On-street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Paid parking options will also be available for festival guests and artists.
WAIT-LIST
A waitlist will be maintained. Selected waitlisted artists may be contacted when the Wait List is released before the event date.
NO SHOW POLICY
Artists who have not checked in and/or called the Festival Emergency Number (the number will be available in confirmation materials) by Friday at 7:00 p.m. will be considered a “no-show.” No-show artists are not eligible for refunds. Assigned space(s) will be forfeited to a wait-list artist.
RAIN OR SHINE
There will be no “rain date” and fees will not be refunded in the case of inclement weather. The event will take place rain or shine.
SALES TAX
Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Sales Taxes. Sales Tax reporting documents are provided to participating artists at check-in at the event. The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 8% (Georgia 4%, Fulton County 3%, City of Atlanta 1%).
HOW THE FEES ARE USED
All AFFPS Festivals support the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a stronger arts community. The GFPS provides scholarships for artists to help them with their artistic career
Application Requirements
To view AFFPS Event Policies for Artists:
1. The Festival provides only the ground space for exhibits. Each Exhibitor must provide and prepare his/her displays. We require Exhibitors to use white top tents of EZ UP quality or higher. All tents must be weighted. NO STAKING ALLOWED. CLICK HERE for Tent and weight Compliance.
3. After unloading Exhibitor vehicles must be moved to designated parking. Vehicles will not be permitted to remain in the exhibition space during the Festival, nor may they enter the Festival grounds until approved by the Festival Committee.
4. Exhibitors shall be responsible for obtaining any required licenses, permits, and approvals under state laws applicable to his/her activity at the Festival and for paying any taxes, sales taxes, fees, or, other charges that may apply to any Exhibitor's activity at the Festival.
5. The Festival is a rain or shine event.
6. In the occurrence that the event has to be canceled, postponed, or suspended, as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Credit for the upcoming show will be given and a Zapp code will be generated.
7. Submission by credit card is an acceptance of these terms and as such if any dispute related to credit card charges will be binding under the terms of this agreement, additionally, the artist agrees to defend (accept) said charges and associated fees.
8. The Festival reserves the right to cancel an Exhibitor's contract. The Festival may require the Exhibitor to leave the Festival at any time if the Exhibitor violates any rules and/or regulations stated herein.
9. Neither AFFPS nor its agents or representatives will be responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur to the Exhibitor, the Exhibitor's agents or representatives, or his/her property from any cause whatsoever. Exhibitors should obtain, at their own expense, insurance against any loss, damage, or injury they may require.
10. All Artist Market merchandise must be original, handmade, and created by the Exhibitor. Reproductions must be identified as such. Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's space. Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow. All artwork on display must be for sale.
11. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the Jury.
12. Artists must be present and operational with their work for the duration of the Festival. No commercial agents, dealers, or, salespeople may operate an artist's booth. The maximum number of occupants per booth may not exceed two.
13. Only individual artists or two-person collaborative artists are permitted to apply. Applications received from artist groups will be returned or rejected.
14. Booth sharing among non-collaborating artists is not permitted.
IDENTIFICATION: All Participating Artists are required to present Identification during check-in. Please have your driver's license on hand.
WEIGHTS REQUIRED:
AFFPS requires professional weights, min. 45 lbs. - 50 lbs per/each on all tent legs.
Because we are set up in City Park settings - NO ONE is permitted to stake, tie to a tree, lamp post, etc.
As such we require that anyone participating come equipped with the minimum standards of weights for their tent.
Any Artist that arrives without weights will not be permitted to set up and as such will forfeit their participation fee.
ALLOWED Tube weights min. 45 lbs. each tent leg.
Sand-bag weights min. 45 lbs. each tent leg. (Must be contained in cloth bags) - IE: Gravity Tubes
Concrete-filled buckets min. 45 lbs. each tent leg.
Stabilizer bars with sandbags.
Weight plates or dumbells min. 45 lbs. each tent leg. (160 lbs. Min. Required)
NOT Permitted:
Grid panels only (no weights) weights are still required.
Stabilizer bars only (no weights)
Raw concrete blocks or bricks
Water containers (one-gallon water bottles)
Sand Bags (in plastic bags)
A Parking Pass must be displayed on your dash and visible at all times while at the event.
This allows us the opportunity to communicate with you during the festival in the event we need to.
Please ensure that you have access to this email address as load-in and load-out instructions will be sent here as well as any special updates.
All communications are sent via the Zapp system communication tool.
Please ensure that you have access to this email address as load-in and load-out instructions will be sent here as well as any special updates - before, during, and after the show.
All information is contained on the website and/or will be sent via email using the Zapp communication tool.
No Packets will be mailed.
Load-In will be sent via email before the event.
Load-Out Instructions will be sent via email (during the event)
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
100
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
75
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
3
Booth Information
ARTIST:
Application fee: $30 (Non-refundable Processing fee)
Standard booth fee: $300
Double booth fee: $600 (limited availability)
Corner upgrade: $100 (limited availability)
Electricity: $100 (limited availability)
Late Application: $50 (Non-refundable processing fee)
Businesses/Sponsorship: Please contact: randallfox2003@yahoo.com
Assigned booth spaces are approximately 10’ deep and 11’ wide or greater. Double booths are also available. Please note that the festival route is along a street with some areas that are not level. All work exhibited must be confined to the assigned space(s). Artists are responsible for providing their means of displaying their work. All artist tents must be weighted with a minimum of 40 pounds per leg with a white canopy.
LOAD IN/LOAD OUT
Artists will be able to unload near their booth during set-up and tear-down. Artists can load in only during the designated times and must check in with a photo ID. The lane of traffic where the festival takes place is only wide enough for one vehicle. Therefore, we depend upon artists’ cooperation to keep traffic moving at a pace that will allow everyone equal time to set up. We ask that upon arrival at your booth location, you unpack and then move your vehicle before you start set-up. Artists will be responsible for hand carting in additional merchandise after the designated load-in time.
Application fee: $30 (Non-refundable Processing fee)
Standard booth fee: $300
Double booth fee: $600 (limited availability)
Corner upgrade: $100 (limited availability)
Electricity: $100 (limited availability)
Late Application: $50 (Non-refundable processing fee)
Businesses/Sponsorship: Please contact: randallfox2003@yahoo.com
Assigned booth spaces are approximately 10’ deep and 11’ wide or greater. Double booths are also available. Please note that the festival route is along a street with some areas that are not level. All work exhibited must be confined to the assigned space(s). Artists are responsible for providing their means of displaying their work. All artist tents must be weighted with a minimum of 40 pounds per leg with a white canopy.
LOAD IN/LOAD OUT
Artists will be able to unload near their booth during set-up and tear-down. Artists can load in only during the designated times and must check in with a photo ID. The lane of traffic where the festival takes place is only wide enough for one vehicle. Therefore, we depend upon artists’ cooperation to keep traffic moving at a pace that will allow everyone equal time to set up. We ask that upon arrival at your booth location, you unpack and then move your vehicle before you start set-up. Artists will be responsible for hand carting in additional merchandise after the designated load-in time.
Refund Policy
Things happen and we understand that, as such any cancellations up to 90 days prior to the event will have fees applied to the next scheduled show. There are no refunds within 60 days of the event. There are no refunds for booth fees applied to a previously canceled show. All credits must be used within one calendar year and it is the Artist's responsibility to track them. At times we offer the opportunity to secure a spot to artists from the immediately preceding year to grab a jury-exempt spot, those fees are non-refundable.
Artists that have a credit must apply to the show as they normally would, and notify the show director that they have applied, at that time they will be confirmed, once we are able to verify any credits. All application deadlines, etc. must be met/followed.
Additionally, credits if given must be applied to the show that it was given and may not transfer to another show, as they are considered separate entities.
Application/Administrative fees are non-refundable as outlined in the application.
• There are no rain dates and no refunds for show cancellation due to rain, floods, tornados, hurricanes, acts of God, acts of government, acts of other official authority, or for any other reason. If for any reason you are asked to leave the show for not following rules, guidelines, social media posts, acting up or disturbing your neighbors, etc. those fees are also non-refundable. Arriving without the necessary/required recommended weights automatic forfeiture of fees paid / 160lbs/40lbs per leg. Anyone driving on the grass will be requested to leave and no refund will be issued due to irrigation lines and park regulations.
Artists that have a credit must apply to the show as they normally would, and notify the show director that they have applied, at that time they will be confirmed, once we are able to verify any credits. All application deadlines, etc. must be met/followed.
Additionally, credits if given must be applied to the show that it was given and may not transfer to another show, as they are considered separate entities.
Application/Administrative fees are non-refundable as outlined in the application.
• There are no rain dates and no refunds for show cancellation due to rain, floods, tornados, hurricanes, acts of God, acts of government, acts of other official authority, or for any other reason. If for any reason you are asked to leave the show for not following rules, guidelines, social media posts, acting up or disturbing your neighbors, etc. those fees are also non-refundable. Arriving without the necessary/required recommended weights automatic forfeiture of fees paid / 160lbs/40lbs per leg. Anyone driving on the grass will be requested to leave and no refund will be issued due to irrigation lines and park regulations.
Additional Fees
Double Booth Fee: $600
Booth Fee: $300
Electricity upgrade: $100
Corner Space Upgrade: $100
Late Application Non-Refunable Administration Fee: $50
Terms to Apply
Non-Refundable Administrative Processing Fee: $30
