Emmet Park Fall Arts Festival: (Savannah Waterfront District) May 25-26, 2027

Savannah, Georgia

View Site Plan

Non-Refundable Administrative Processing Fee: $30

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
Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
Submission Limit: 1

Media Requirements

Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
Total | Max: 5

Opportunity Summary

Emmet Park Fall Arts Festival

September 25–26, 2027 | Savannah, Georgia
Historic Waterfront District

Join us for the inaugural Emmet Park Fall Arts Festival, September 25–26, 2027, in Savannah's beautiful Historic Waterfront District.

Nestled beneath majestic live oaks draped in Spanish moss and overlooking the Savannah River, historic Emmet Park provides a stunning setting for this two-day celebration of fine art and fine craftsmanship. Just steps from bustling River Street, downtown hotels, restaurants, and historic attractions, the festival offers artists an exceptional opportunity to connect with Savannah residents, art enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors from around the world.

Presented by the Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces, this professionally organized, juried outdoor festival will feature a carefully selected collection of talented artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glass, fiber, mixed media, and other fine art disciplines.

Our commitment is to quality over quantity. Artists are selected through a jury process emphasizing originality, craftsmanship, artistic merit, and professional presentation. All artwork must be original and created by the exhibiting artist. Commercially manufactured merchandise, imported goods, and mass-produced items are not permitted.

The festival will offer designated 10' x 10' artist spaces, an organized booth layout, and on-site festival management to support a professional and enjoyable exhibiting experience.

Savannah's reputation as a world-class arts and cultural destination, combined with Emmet Park's proximity to the city's vibrant waterfront, creates an exciting opportunity for artists seeking to expand their audience in the Southeast.

We invite you to be part of the inaugural Emmet Park Fall Arts Festival—where exceptional art, Southern hospitality, and Savannah's historic waterfront come together for an unforgettable weekend.

General Information

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:
Accept applications: November 04, 2026
Wait List Released: August 15, 2027 (or as deemed necessary by the event Director)

Event Dates: September 25, 2027 (Saturday/Sunday)
Load In Dates: September 24, 2027 (Friday morning)
**This is a dolly/wagon in event. Parking is close by.

Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.

Required licenses:
(First time attendees) City of Savannah Business License required ($85, good for 1 calendar year). Artists living in a county that immediately surrounds Chatham county are exempt from this requirement. Artists should list the event address as their business address.

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.
Edibles: Handmade items such as jam, sauce, baked goods, etc. that are pre-packaged and not prepared on-site.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting. An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded. An embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handcraft: 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 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.

FOOD BOOTH REQUIREMENTS
This venue cannot accommodate food trucks.
All food booths must register successfully with Savannah DPH and submit their business license and all required DPH paperwork. This process should start no later than 6 weeks prior to our event and/or immediately upon acceptance. We are unable to accept honey booths as they are outside the department of agriculture and certification to sell at our events cannot be completed.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
-       T-shirts and commercial clothing (any re-sell or manufactured items)
-       Posters
-       Manufactured toys (any re-sell or manufactured items)
-       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. (limited bases)
- Designated Festival Hotline available during event hours regarding assistance, emergencies, questions, concerns, etc.
- Friday load-in (Friday only load-in)
- 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 - with Art Shows in the Top 100 Nationwide.
-  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
Is $2.50 per hour 8am-8pm available in city owned spaces in a nearby lot. There is $5 daily parking available at the Savannah Convention Center accessible by Savannah Belles Ferry which runs approximately every 15 minutes 7am-10pm and drops off directly in our venue at the Hyatt on River Street.

WAITLIST
A waitlist will be maintained. Selected wait-listed artists may be contacted when the Wait List is released one day prior to 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 8:00 a.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 Tax. Sales Tax reporting documents are provided to participating artists at check-in at the event. The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 7.00% (4.00% GA, 3.00% Chatham County)

HOW THE FEES ARE USED
All AFFPS Festivals support the GFPS, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a stronger arts community. The GFPS provides scholarships for artists to help them with their artistic careers.

Application Requirements

Required licenses:
City of Savannah Business License required ($85, good for 1 calendar year). Artists living in a county that immediately surrounds Chatham county are exempt from this requirement. Artists should list the event address as their business address.

ALL artists selling are required to register for a Savannah Business License, even if you have a Georgia business licence.
Please visit https://www.savannahga.gov/1587/Business-License to print and submit your Business Tax Application form to the city (please leave a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event for processing). A city official may visit events to check the status of your business license- they do have the power to shut down non-compliant businesses. This permit is good for the entire year and only needs to be completed one time per calendar year. The cost is $85 per calendar year. This can be completed AFTER your acceptance to the show and is not required prior to your application. Any questions regarding this requirement should be directed to the Savannah department of revenue at 912-651-6450. PLEASE NOTE AFFPS DOES NOT WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE (nor are we their representative) AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

To view the AFFPS Event Policies for Artists online CLICK HERE.

1. The Festival provides only the ground space for exhibits. Each Exhibitor must provide and prepare his/her own displays. We require Exhibitors to use 10'x10' white top tents of EZ UP quality or higher. All tents must be weighted. Click here for Tent & Weight Compliance. Tailgating tents, will not be permitted.
2. Prior to the Festival, Exhibitors will be notified of their site location and detailed setup information. Plan to set up your booth on Friday before the Festival. (Please do not call for Booth assignments, they will be posted on Zapp once they are completed).
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, or 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 be applicable 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 suspend, as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID 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 in the event that 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 is in violation of 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 clearly 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 with their work for the duration of the Festival. No commercial agents, dealers, or salespeople may operate an artist's booth.
13. Artists must be present. We do not permit "employees" or "representatives".
14. All Artist is required to use White Top tents and is subject to removal without reimbursement in the event they arrive without proper weights or a white top tent.
15. All submissions/applications are non-refundable.
16. Anyone being rude or disrespectful to the staff, not following the rules, and guidelines will be asked to leave, and as such forfeit any and all payments.

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.

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 prior to the event.
Load-Out Instructions will be sent via email (During the event)

Jury Details

Average number of applications submitted each year

150

Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event

125

Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event

Booth Information

Application fee: $30 (Non-Refundable Processing fee)
Standard booth fee: $350
Double booth fee: $700 (limited availability)
Corner upgrade: $100 (limited availability)

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 own means of displaying their work. All artist tents must be weighted with a minimum of 40 pounds PER leg with a white canopy, and be no larger than 10'x11'.

LOAD IN/LOAD OUT

SET UP
Begins Friday at 9:30AM. Show opens at 10AM on Saturday. Artists will park on Washington ONLY along the right side of the road near our venue. You will need to carry items across the cobblestones and then you can use your dolly to get to your space. Your vehicle needs to be moved to a parking area immediately after active unloading is completed.

All booths must be open for business by 10am.

Artists will have to dolly/wagon in their booth during set-up and tear down, we are set up in the grassy area of the park alongside the sidewalks. 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.

Some of the booths have permanent park benchs in or near and we work around them. This is a heavy tourist location. All items must be 100% Handcrafted by the Artists no exception.

Trailers park off-site at the convention center.

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.

Additional Fees

Double Booth Space: $700

Booth Fee: $350

Corner Booth: $100