Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair 2027

The annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair is a two-day juried fine art show featuring up to 145 artists. Staged in shady, historic Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo, this outdoor Arts Fair is acclaimed for its friendly atmosphere and large crowds of arts patrons from across Michigan and beyond. The KIA Arts Fair offers many artist amenities, $4,500+ in awards and prizes, and is supported by far-reaching promotional measures attracting crowds of 14,000+. The KIA Arts Fair also features live music, food trucks, family activities and artist demonstrations to draw-in visitors and buyers.

Application and Notification: 

• Application deadline:  January 31, 2027
• Notification: February 12, 2027 via email
• Accept Invitation/ Purchase Deadline: March 12, 2027

2027 KIA Arts Fair: 

• Friday, June 4, 2027 3pm-8pm
• Saturday, June 5, 2027  9am-5pm

Location
Bronson Park, 200 S Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Kalamazoo’s historic Bronson Park is located downtown, adjacent to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and bordered by beautiful architecture. The park is used regularly as a place for community events, rallies, and concerts.

Fair Dates and Time
Friday, June 4, 2027  3pm-8pm
Saturday, June 5, 2027  9am-5pm

Application Process and Fee

• All artists must apply at www.zappapplication.org.
• Each application must be accompanied by a $45 non-refundable application/jury fee.
• Applicants may pay online by credit card through ZAPP
• Applications must be completed by Sunday, January 31, 2027

Accepted Media Categories
The KIA Arts Fair features works in 12 media categories. Please see Rules and Regulations for medium definitions. Each Application must represent only one media category. If you are an artist working in multiple mediums you must choose one category to apply within or you may apply in each category separately.  If chosen, you may only sell works within the media category in which you are accepted. Only those accepted in the Jewelry categories may sell jewelry. 

• 2-D Mixed Media
• 3-D Mixed Media
• Ceramics
• Drawing/Pastels/Prints
• Fiber/Leather
• Glass
• Jewelry-Non-Precious
• Jewelry-Precious
• Metal/Sculpture
• Painting
• Photography/Digital Media
• Wood

Exhibition & Product Guidelines  for All Accepted Media Categories
All works must be the original design of the artists within their accepted medium category. The only reproductions allowed in the booth are those of the artist’s own, original work. Reproductions or prints must be in limited editions, signed and numbered and not comprise more than 25% of total booth offerings. Under no circumstances are mass produced or AI generated items allowed. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts determines what is deemed an original or reproduction, and its decisions are final.

Artists Images
Four (4) digital images are to be submitted with each artist's application. Artist logo, branding, name or business name are not permitted in any submission photos.

• Three (3) images of the artist’s work in a single (1) medium category
• One (1) image of the artist's booth as it will appear at the Arts Fair. 

High quality images paired with a strong, compelling artist statement will allow for the clearest demonstration of the artist’s abilities as jurors make their selections for participation.
If accepted, Artist agrees to the use of shared images by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts/ KIA Arts Fair for promotional purposes only.

Exempt Artists
Artists awarded Best in Category at the 2026 KIA Arts Fair are automatically accepted into the 2027 KIA Arts Fair and are exempt from participation in the initial jury process. However, all exempt artists must still apply via Zapplication.org by January 31, 2027. A discount code has been emailed to all exempt artists for the waived application fee.

Artist Calendar 

• Application Period: November 2, 2026 through midnight of January 31, 2027
• Jury Period: February 2 through February 9, 2027
• Artist Notification by February 12, 2027 via email
• Accept Invitation/ Purchase Deadline: March 12, 2027
• Booth Refunds:
  • Full Refund deadline: March 24, 2027
  • 50% Refund deadline: April 16, 2027
• Artist Check-In and Set-Up: Friday, June 4 (assigned set-up times begin at 9am)
  • All artists will be assigned a specific check-in/set-up time. 
• Juried Awards Judging: Friday, June 4, 3pm - 7pm
• People’s Choice award voting Friday, June 4, 3pm - 8pm
• Awards Announced: Saturday morning, June 5
• Loadout may begin Saturday, June 5 at 5:01pm, after the close of the event. 

Please note that all participating artists, vendors and sponsors will have varying needs during the load-in and set-up window. We do our best to meet all reasonably requested accommodations. Thank you for your assistance and patience as we balance needs/requests in support of this great event and one another.

Fair Awards
Awards and prizes given out for this year's KIA Arts Fair will have a total minimum value of $4,500. Arts Fair awards include up to 12* category awards and the “People's Choice Award” will be voted on by attendees! Each award comes with a cash prize of $375, waived application fee and assured entry into the 2028 KIA Arts Fair and a prize ribbon.
On Friday, June 4, juried awards judging will occur between 3pm - 7pm. People's Choice Awards voting will be open to attendees 3pm-8pm. All awards will be announced Saturday morning, June 5. Prize ribbons are provided to display on booths.
*A minimum of 8 artists per category is required to be evaluated for prize judging. Event coordinators reserve the right to merge categories (or not) in the event one or more categories does not meet the minimum requirement for judging.

Artist Listing
Participating Artists and their corresponding booth numbers will be listed in digital and printed Arts Fair programs and displayed on site maps. Artists will also be listed on the KIA Arts Fair website’s Artist Guide, accessible on site, through QR codes and at the information booth. Select artists may be profiled prior to and during the event on the KIA's social media platforms and other marketing materials. 

Audience
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair is a Friday-Saturday event attracting an average of 14,000+ patrons. Fair-goers are a mix of local, regional, and national friends of the arts. Promotional measures are focused on attracting local and regional residents and visitors.

Simultaneous Activities
The Artists are the stars of the KIA Arts Fair however several other activities also take place during this very popular and eagerly anticipated event to draw in visitors. There will be favorite food trucks, a varied schedule of live performances by local musicians, children's activities, artist demonstrations by the Kirk Newman Art School and more.
Several concurrent downtown/city activities also be taking place and attract additional patrons to visit and shop at the booths in the park. Additional events may include the “Art on the Mall” presented by the Arts Council, “PRIDE” presented by OutFront Kalamazoo and the family friendly “Do-Dah Parade” on Saturday.

Wi-Fi in the Park
Please note that wi-fi in the park is not provided. You may be able to access the city's wi-fi however it may be unreliable. We recommend using a self-provided hotspot or cellular phone data.

Sales Information
Artists retain 100% of their sales while participating in the KIA Arts Fair and are solely responsible for the collection and reporting of all applicable sales tax. Michigan’s sales tax is currently 6%. For more information or to register for a tax license, visit the State of Michigan Treasury Department’s website: www.michigan.gov/treasury

Limitation of Liability
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is not liable for any theft, loss, or damage to your work or personal property, and is not liable for any personal injury to you or anyone that may be assisting you while participating in the Arts Fair. You are advised to obtain your own insurance coverage in the type and amount of coverage as advised by your insurance provider. The artist applicant agrees to make no claim for any reason whatsoever, including negligence, against the KIA, its members, volunteers and/or employees of the City of Kalamazoo for loss, theft, damage, destruction of property or towing of vehicles, nor for any injury to artists or artist employees/assistants of Artist(s) while present at the Arts Fair. Total value for all items brought for display and sale to the KIA Arts Fair must not exceed $50,000. Exceptions must be submitted in writing to ArtsFair@kiarts.org not less than 15 days prior to the event.

Violation of Art Fair Rules
Artists booths will be visited periodically by Arts Fair leadership to ensure rule compliance. If an artist is in violation of any rules, they may be asked to leave the fair.  Persistent violation of the rules may jeopardize the right to participate in future KIA Arts Fairs. See Rules & Regulations for more information

Direct all Inquiries to:
​​​​ArtsFair@kiarts.org
269-585-9299
Events Manager, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 South Park Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 4900

 

Accepted Media Categories
The KIA Arts Fair features works in 12 media categories as defined below. Each Application must represent only one media category. If you are an artist working in multiple mediums you must choose one category to apply within or you may apply in each category separately.  If chosen, you may only sell works within the media category in which you are accepted. Only those accepted in the Jewelry categories may sell jewelry. 

2-D Mixed Media:  Original 2-dimensional (flat or semi-flat) work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece. 

3-D Mixed Media: Original, 3-dimensional work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece.

Ceramics: Clay works that are original and hand made by the applying artist(s) of functional or sculptural nature. Work constructed from commercially made molds are prohibited; however, works constructed from hand-made molds are accepted. 

Drawing/ Pastels/ Prints: Work created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax, crayons, etc. or from a fluid medium of ink on archival material are accepted in this medium. Only hand pulled original mono-print, serigraph, lithograph, etching, woodcut or other relief techniques are allowed.  Prints/Reproductions must be in limited editions, signed and numbered and not comprise more than 25% of total booth offerings.  

Fiber/ Leather: Unique, one of a kind artwork created from fibers and/or leather, including but not limited embroidery, basketry, weaving, and tapestry created by the artist alone. Includes but is not limited to wearable art. Any “upcycled” wearable art must be of original design and be a one of a kind creation, with manufactured item/material in its original form/function comprising no more than 20% of the complete piece. No machine-tooled work, machine-screen printing or other forms of mass production are accepted.

Glass: Functional and sculptural work using kiln forming, blowing, molding or casting as well as cold working processes are permitted. No forms of mass production or reproductions are permitted. 

Jewelry, Non-Precious: Wearable or sculptural jewelry made from non-precious materials (copper, brass, bronze, steel, enameled pieces, leather, lakestones, glass, and found items).  Jewelers must be the designers and hands-on makers of their one-of-a-kind work. No commercial casts, molds, settings, earring or ring blanks, or production studio works are permitted. Preference is shown to those who use beads fabricated by the applying artist; however, some commercially manufactured beads, gems, pearls, and other materials are accepted though they may not compromise the primary component of the piece and must be clearly marked. Cut coins or jewelry made from flatware is not accepted.

Jewelry, Precious: Wearable or sculptural jewelry made from precious and semi-precious materials (silver, gold, platinum, precious and semi precious gemstones, i.e. naturally occurring gemstones) Jewelers must be the designers and hands-on makers of their one-of-a-kind work. No commercial casts, molds, settings, earring or ring blanks or production studio works are permitted. 

Metal/ Sculpture: Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes in a single medium. No reproductions or mass produced work permitted.

Painting: Work created with acrylic, oil, gouache, and watercolors. Reproductions must be in limited editions, signed and numbered and not comprise more than 25% of total booth offerings.  

Photography/ Digital Media: Includes traditional film photography, hand colored images, emulsion transfers, cyanotype and digital photography. Digital Media must be original work created using computer programs to significantly manipulate or alter source material(s), or the creation of original artwork such as drawings or paintings made using software, computers, or other electronic devices. No AI generated or manipulated work, at any point in the creation process, is accepted. Prints/Reproductions must be signed and numbered and not comprise more than 25% of total booth offerings.  

Wood: One of a kind, Original works hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned, or carved  by the artist(s) made entirely or predominantly of wood, may be functional or sculptural. No reproductions or mass produced work permitted

Exhibition & Product Guidelines for All Accepted Media Categories
All works must be the original design of the artist(s) within their accepted medium category. The only reproductions allowed in the booth are those of the artist’s own, original work. No more than 25% of the total booth may be reproductions, all reproductions must be marked and labeled accordingly. Under no circumstances are mass produced or AI generated works items allowed. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts determines what is deemed an original or reproduction, and its decisions are final.

Eligibility
The KIA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any artist for inclusion in the Arts Fair in accordance with either the KIA Arts Fair jury process and/or invitational procedures. Jurors score each application and acceptance is based on creativity, uniqueness, concept and mastering of technique or craftsmanship in addition to the overall presentation of the booth’s image. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist with a maximum of two collaborators.
Eligibility is NOT determined or dependent on an Artists race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other basis protected by law.

Artists Images
Four (4) digital images are to be submitted with each artist's application. Artist logo, branding, name or business name are not permitted in any submission photos.

• Three (3) images of the artist’s work in a single (1) medium category
• One (1) image of the artist's booth as it will appear at the Arts Fair. 

High quality images paired with a strong, compelling artist statement will allow for the clearest demonstration of the artist’s abilities as jurors make their selections for participation.
If accepted, Artist agrees to the use of shared images by the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts/ KIA Arts Fair for promotional purposes only.

Standard of Artist Work
Work that is shown must be original in conception and execution and solely that of the artist(s) accepted. NO objects made from commercial molds, kits or plans or generated from AI will be accepted. Reproductions of original artwork may occupy not more than 25% of the booth space only within those categories that allow reproductions and must be clearly marked as reproductions.

Work Quality
Artists may show only work in categories approved by the jury.  Work that is shown must be the same quality, type, and medium as that accepted by the jury. In addition, it must meet the standard requirements of the Eligibility section above. The KIA Arts Fair reserves the right to have work removed that is not consistent with the images submitted and quality standards of the fair.

Zapp Jury Process
Jurors are professionals who work as artists, educators, or are fine art and contemporary gallery owners or curators. Each juror will be assigned a category(s) to review based on their field(s) of expertise. Application jurying is anonymous. Each application is assigned a code to ensure that jurors do not know the artist’s name or any identifying details other than the images and statements supplied by the artist. Artist logo, branding, name or business name are not permitted in any submission photos.
Jurors score each application based on creativity, uniqueness, concept and mastering of technique or craftsmanship in addition to the overall presentation shown in the booth’s image.
Artist scores are then reviewed by Arts Fair leadership, who select an appropriate number of artists in each category, based on the jurors' scores and comments, to participate in the fair. The number of accepted artists in each media category may be limited at the discretion of Arts Fair leadership in order to present a full and balanced show. Efforts are made to accept the necessary number of Artists to be eligible for Best in Category Awards (8).

Awards Judging
Juried awards judging will occur on Friday, June 4, between 3pm - 7pm. The Jury is composed of up to 6 arts professionals who will be assigned to a juror team based on their fields of expertise.  Jurors will be on-site Friday, June 4 to review the booths in their assigned categories and select one winner in each of their assigned categories.
*A minimum of 8 artists per category is required to be evaluated for prize judging. Event coordinators reserve the right to merge categories (or not) in the event one or more categories does not meet the minimum requirement for judging.

One People's Choice Award will be awarded with visitor voting taking place Friday, June 4 3pm-8pm. 

Artist Representatives
Artists must be present, in their booth, throughout the entirety of the fair. Artists are permitted to take breaks, restock, etc. however, the featured artist(s) must be the primary presence in their booth for both days. No representative will be permitted in place of the artist unless written permission is obtained from KIA Arts Fair management at least 15 days prior to the event.

Booth Location
Participating artists shall accept booth locations in Bronson Park as assigned by KIA Arts Fair leadership. Artists may request a specific park location, however, the KIA will not be able to honor all requests. PLEASE NOTE: pets are NOT allowed on site.

Limitation of Liability
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is not liable for any theft, loss, or damage to your work or personal property, and is not liable for any personal injury to you or anyone that may be assisting you while participating in the Arts Fair. You are advised to obtain your own insurance coverage in the type and amount of coverage as advised by your insurance provider. The artist applicant agrees to make no claim for any reason whatsoever, including negligence, against the KIA, its members, volunteers and/or employees of the City of Kalamazoo for loss, theft, damage, destruction of property or towing of vehicles, nor for any injury to artists or artist employees/assistants of Artist(s) while present at the Arts Fair. Total value for all items brought for display and sale to the KIA Arts Fair must not exceed $50,000. Exceptions must be submitted in writing to ArtsFair@kiarts.org not less than 15 days prior to the event.