Lakefront Festival of Art 2027

For over 60 years, the Lakefront Festival of Art has been one of the nation's premier outdoor art festivals, bringing together exceptional artists and art enthusiasts on the spectacular grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum along the shores of Lake Michigan. The three-day festival showcases 150 professional fine artists across 15 disciplines and welcomes more than 16,000 attendees from throughout the region and beyond, rain or shine. 

In 2027, the festival calendar offers artists the opportunity to participate in both LFOA and Chicago’s Old Town Art Fair, with no date overlap between the two events. 

New for 2027: A special VIP reception on Friday morning will welcome Museum patrons and collectors to the festival, creating additional opportunities for artists to connect with an engaged audience of art enthusiasts as the festival opens. 

Presented by Friends of Art (FOA), a support organization of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Milwaukee Art Museum, net proceeds from this event are used by FOA for exhibitions and the acquisition of art for the Milwaukee Art Museum; to cultivate leaders and volunteers in support of the Milwaukee Art Museum; and to promote awareness and appreciation of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the visual arts. 

2027 Lakefront Festival of Art 

Friday, June 18        10 AM – 7 PM 

Saturday, June 19    10 AM – 7 PM 

Sunday, June 20      10 AM – 5 PM

IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES 

1. Online Application Due: December 14, 2026 

2. Jury Day: January 8, 2027 

3. Notification to Artists: January 15, 2027 

4. Registration and Fee Due: February 19, 2027 (Nonrefundable after March 12, 2027) 

5. Booth Assignments Released: April 9, 2027 

6. Artist Load-In and Set-Up: Thursday, June 17, 2027 

FEES 

Non-refundable Entry Fee -- $45 

Booth Fee -- $575 

JURY PROCEDURE 

A panel of three jurors select the show in a “blind jurying” process. Applications are grouped by media category. Within each category, applications are shown in random order.  

Artists must submit a booth image along with their five art images. All six artist images (five art images and one booth image) are projected simultaneously onto a large wall screen three over three, appearing at a size of about 3' x 3'. Images are projected in the order submitted by the artist in their Zapplication, and will be reviewed simultaneously three separate times. Jurors may make general inquiries during this process, such as to artwork dimensions or materials used. Each artist’s Technical Description is read aloud as that artist’s work is projected for the first time during the jurying process. 

Jurors also select alternates for the show. LFOA typically receives about 1,000 applications for up to 150 booth spaces. Approximately (15) of those spaces are reserved for artist advisors, past award winners (selected by the previous year’s jurors), poster artist and design award competition winner. While LFOA seeks to achieve diversity among the media exhibited, the festival does not maintain any quotas by category.  

Decisions by the jury panel are final. 

AWARDS 

A total of $10,000 in awards will be presented. Ten awards of $1,000 each to be given where excellence is determined by the jurors. Awards will be determined based on the artist’s entire presentation. The award-winning artists are automatically invited back to LFOA for the following year without jurying and will receive a commemorative piece of artwork specifically designed for them by a fellow LFOA exhibiting artist. Winners will be featured on the LFOA webpage and the 2027 festival program. 

DESIGN AWARD COMPETITION 

It is an LFOA tradition to present each award-winning artist with a work of art in addition to their monetary award. LFOA sponsors a competition for the design and execution of these awards. Any artist interested in entering their work for consideration can indicate so on their Zapplication by checking the appropriate box. The designing artist will receive a commission of $1,400 to cover the cost of the works. They will also be exempt from the jury process for the 2027 Festival.  

These pieces are traditionally similar, small, presentation awards. The awards should be primarily a reflection of the designing artist and not necessarily LFOA. 

ONLINE SILENT AUCTION DONATION 

The silent auction features numerous works of art donated by talented LFOA exhibiting artists. Online bidding is open to the public prior to festival weekend and throughout all three days of the show. The auction offers all art lovers a chance to bid from home or onsite regardless of whether they attend. The silent auction provides the public with a highlighted overview of the festival artists. Artists who contribute to the silent auction will be entered into a lottery, where one lottery winner is chosen to receive an exemption from the jury process and a waived booth fee for the 2028 Festival.  

ARTIST’S BENEFITS 

1. Artist listing with image on LFOA website  

2. Complimentary continental breakfast on Friday and Saturday mornings 

3. Catered Artist Awards Celebration breakfast on Sunday morning 

4. Free snacks and water throughout the three-day festival 

5. 24-hour security patrolling the festival grounds 

6. Free Milwaukee Art Museum admission 

7. Load-in/out near booth space 

8. Booth sitting available 

9. Convenient parking options 

SALES AND TAX INFORMATION 

Artists retain all proceeds from their sales. Every exhibiting artist is required to obtain a WI sellers permit and is responsible for collecting and filing the appropriate sales tax (WI 7.9% sales tax). Information from the state of Wisconsin's Department of Revenue will be made available. 

When applying for LFOA, please be aware that the information and answers that you provide to any and all questions in your application will be used by the LFOA staff for purposes of contacting, record keeping, and rule assessment. Please list current and accurate information. Also, please make sure to completely read all rules and requirements set forth by the LFOA staff and committee for this year’s application to assure compliance. If you have any questions or need any further clarification, please feel free to contact the festival staff: lfoa@mam.org. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 

1. Each artist will be limited to a maximum of two separate entries. Work must be submitted in different categories and contrast substantially in execution. Artists who choose to apply in two media categories must create a separate on-line profile on Zapplication for each entry and submit an application fee for each. 

2. To be juried, each artist must submit one booth image and five art images with one item per image unless multiple items constitute a suite (e.g., table and chairs, necklace and earrings). No split images or images within images. 

3. There should be no identifying names or people in images. No text included in image unless integral part of artwork. An artist signature on a submitted piece of artwork may not be visible in a way that a juror may recognize a specific artist by their name. 

4. Only work representative of your submitted images may be exhibited in your booth. Images should represent current work and be in direct proportion to the work you plan to show. For example, if a wood worker plans to exhibit furniture and vessels at the festival, representative images of both in the appropriate ratio must be included in the individual images submitted in the application. 

5. Applications must include a 100 character or less Technical Description of your artwork, which will be read aloud to the jurors during the jurying process. The description should include technique or other information to help the jury define what they see.  

6. The festival reserves the right to reassign an artist’s category if the artist’s designation is deemed inappropriate. 

7. All exhibiting artists (including both collaborators) MUST check in AND present a valid current ID prior to booth set-up. The LFOA Artist Committee reserves the right to periodically check ID throughout the festival weekend. 

8. Artists must be present throughout the entire festival in order to exhibit. Spouses or other representatives cannot replace an artist. Collaborating artists are permitted provided it is a true hands-on artistic collaboration, each artist sharing both design and creation on each piece. Collaborators are not assistants, partners, apprentices, or employees. Activities such as canvas stretching, framing, and similar means of assistance are not considered part of a collaborative process. Please do not list a person down as a collaborator unless they are involved in the design and creation of the artwork represented in the application. We do not need to know the name of your festival weekend “assistant”.  

9. Collaborators are limited to two people. If artists apply as collaborators both artists must agree to the rules set forth by LFOA, include the collaborators’ name in the application and be present for the duration of the festival. Set-up will not be permitted until each artist is present and any person listed as a collaborator on the application will be required to be present for the festival in its entirety. 

10. Artists are responsible for adequate insurance and protection of their work and set-up. LFOA is not responsible for any damage or loss that may occur. 

11. All work exhibited must be of the quality, category and body of work shown in the images juried. 

ORIGINAL ARTWORK/REPRODUCTION REGULATION: 

1. Only original artwork produced by the exhibiting artist’s or co-artist’s hands may be exhibited. No reproductions are allowed. If it’s a copy of any kind, regardless of medium, it may not be exhibited or sold at the festival 

2. Prints in the Digital and Printmaking categories must be signed and numbered in limited editions. 

3. Only artists accepted in the Jewelry category may exhibit or sell jewelry; all jewelry regardless of materials must be entered in the Jewelry category. 

4. Sale of non-original promotional items is prohibited, including postcards, note cards, and the like.  

LFOA reserves the right to question any applicant about their creative practice prior to jurying or during the festival. Including but not limited to requiring photos and/or video of the studio and artist working. LFOA 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 artist) who design, fabricate and assemble the artwork contained within the application. Any artist associated with a production studio can only apply and exhibit (if invited) work that is distinctly different than the work created by the associated production studio. Please contact festival staff prior to applying if you have questions regarding whether or not your work meets the criteria of production. 

ELIGIBLE MEDIA CATEGORIES 

• Ceramics – All original clay work is acceptable (wheel-thrown, slab, etc.) Each item must be signed and made by the artist. No commercial casts, molds machine made, mass produced or production studio work is allowed. 

• Digital – This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Traditional photographs taken through a digital media should apply in the photography category. 

• Drawing / Pastels – Original work made with dry media including chalk, charcoal, ink, pastel, pencil or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category. 

• Fiber Decorative – Nonwearable original work made of a fibrous material. Includes basketry, weaving and papermaking. No machine tooling, machine screened patterns or other forms of mass production are permitted. The artist is to be involved with the execution of the entire process. 

• Fiber Wearable – Wearable original work made of a fibrous material. Includes leather and fine wearables. No studio production or factory produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artist, may be exhibited. The artist is to be involved with the execution of the entire process. 

• Glass – Original work in which the primary material is glass. (For glass jewelry, please use the jewelry category.) 

• Jewelry – Original jewelry made from precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, enamel, glass, clay, fiber, etc. All components should display a high degree of skill and of original design. No commercial casts, molds, settings or production studio work is allowed. All aspects of the finished product must be created and executed by the artist. 

• Metal – Original non-sculptural, non-jewelry metalwork. No production studio work is allowed. 

• Mixed Media 2D – 2dimensional work that incorporates more than one type of material that is non-sculptural. 

• Mixed Media 3D – 3dimensional work that incorporates more than one type of material that is non-sculptural. 

• Painting - Original two-dimensional painted works using acrylic, oil, tempera, watercolor, etc. 

• Photography – Photographic prints made from the artist’s original image and processed by the artist or under artist’s direct supervision. Artwork must be in signed and numbered limited editions, on archival quality materials. Photographers must disclose their creative and printing processes as well as edition sizes. 

• Printmaking – Printed works for which the artist’s hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition may be entered in this category. Traditional methods accepted include etchings, engravings, intaglio, monotype, monoprint, relief printing, serigraphs and block or woodblock prints. All photogravure, photocopy and/or offset reproductions, will be rejected. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes. All aspects of the finished product must be created and executed by the artist. 

• Sculpture – Original, non-functional, 3-dimensional work of any material. Sculpture made from Clay, Glass, or Wood are encouraged to apply in their own medium. 

• Wood – Original carved, hand-tooled or machine-worked wood. Includes handmade wooden furniture. 

1. A consistent display must be maintained throughout the festival. LFOA expects and requires that artist’s displays be of the highest quality and meet the standards inherent to a major, award-winning art festival. 

2. Each exhibitor is provided a 10’ x 10’ space along with at least 2 ft of storage behind the assigned booth area. 

3. Artists must provide or rent their own tent (must be white) and materials to display their work in an outdoor environment. The tented structure must be commercial or professional grade and adequately weighted with at least 40lbs on each corner and with stabilizing maneuvers that provide maximum safety to artists and guests. We strongly recommend tents with sides that can be closed.  

4. Due to high wind concerns, Artists are not permitted to use cheaply made, lightweight, accordion-style pop-up tents. Any variation is prohibited and will result in the artist being excluded from the festival without compensation or consideration.  

   1. Please email us if you have questions or want to receive pre-approval for a tent you may have questions about. 

5. Exhibit spaces are on concrete. Absolutely no staking or drilling.  

6. Double booths are offered only to artists invited to exhibit two separate mediums. 

7. Display may not extend beyond booth space. Browse bins may occupy no more than 20% of booth space, must be aesthetically pleasing, and may not obstruct traffic flow. These requirements will be enforced for safety and crowd control, at the LFOA Committee's discretion. 

8. No demonstrating in booths, this includes the playing of musical instruments. Recordings or CDs of music may not be played OR sold at the festival. 

9. Set-up is Thursday, June 17, 2027 at an assigned time. Tear down is Sunday, June 20, 2027 and must be completed by 10PM. 

10. The LFOA Committee reserves the right to ask an artist to amend their display to maintain the integrity of the show. Signage will be regulated by the LFOA Artist Committee. Display of non-approved signage is not permitted. 

Booth Fees are due on February 19, 2027 and are nonrefundable after March 12, 2027. 

A submitted LFOA application serves as your agreement and compliance with the rules listed herein. Violation of these rules will result in immediate expulsion from the festival. No booth fee refunds or compensation will be made. In addition, LFOA maintains the right to prohibit application to LFOA for three consecutive years immediately following dismissal, and revoke any award presented for the festival year of occurrence.