Tulsa Mayfest 2027

In May 2027, Tulsa International Mayfest will celebrate its 54th anniversary.  We are now seeking applicants from fine artists wishing to show at this long-running festival located downtown in the Tulsa Business District.  Artists at Tulsa Mayfest have a history of strong sales. Created to promote the visual and performing arts, our three-day Tulsa tradition invites approximately 85 juried and awarded artists to exhibit their work, as well as a selection of non-award-eligible complementary artists. All entries are professionally judged according to strict guidelines.


Mayfest is an outdoor, family-oriented event that promotes a broader knowledge of and appreciation for visual and performing arts.  Offering a wide variety of media, aesthetics, and price points, this event is suited for serious art connoisseurs, as well as casual art lovers. Scheduled for May 14 - 16, 2027, Tulsa Mayfest is set to be Tulsa's first festival of the season.
 

Submission Criteria:

• Submit a total of five images, four of artwork and one of your booth setup. 
• Images submitted must represent at least 90% of the artist’s work. If the entire inventory does not comply, the artist will be asked to leave the show with no refund.
• All applications will be reviewed based solely on the submitted images.
• There is a non-refundable application fee of $45 regardless of which artist area you apply for.

• Artwork is judged by 3 independent jurors and is very competitive. Each category is juried blindly and separately, and scores are based on creativity, design, and execution. Applications will not be juried unless all requested information is completed, including a description of materials or process explanation of each image.
• Only original, handmade work by the entrant will be considered for judging.
• One-of-a-kind, multiples, series or limited editions must be signed and numbered by the artist.
• The art must be an original concept thought of and created by the artist.
• Offset prints will be allowed but must be limited to 20% of the artist’s inventory and be placed in a bin or portfolio with each item marked “reproduction.”
• All booths must be open for business for the following hours: Friday and Saturday 10a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 10a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Award categories are judged on merit and outstanding achievement, regardless of the chosen medium. Awards are given based on the artist’s overall presentation and are determined by on-site judging held on the first day of Mayfest. Artists must be present to be considered for the awards. Winners of Mayfest 2027 will be automatically accepted to participate at Mayfest 2028 unless the artist’s medium changes. Best of Show - $1,500 (1 Award Winner) and Best in each Category - $300 (11 Awards)
• Booth fees for this category are $400

• Non-juried artists are juried by the Mayfest visual arts leadership following strict criteria and mindfulness to admit complementary mediums and price points.
• Only original, handmade work by the entrant will be considered for judging.
• One-of-a-kind, multiples, series or limited editions must be signed and numbered by the artist.
• The art must be an original concept thought of and created by the artist.
• Offset prints will be allowed but must be limited to 50% of the artist’s inventory and be clearly identified as “reproduction.”
• All booths must be open for business for the following hours: Friday and Saturday 10a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 10a.m. to 6 p.m.
• No awards are given for artists participating in this category.
• Booth fees for this category are $300.

• Commercially produced works.
• Commercially molded ceramics, sculpture or jewelry; items made from kits, assembled from pre-manufactured components or inclusions from supply catalogs.
• Leather works showing patterns that are machine tooled or machine screened. No buckles sold separately unless handcrafted by the artist selling them.
• Any art produced by AI. 

Important Dates:

February 7, 2027 Application deadline
February 28, 2027 Notification
March 31, 2027 All fees and contracts due
April 15, 2027 Written cancellations deadline for refunds
May 14 - 16, 2027 Tulsa Mayfest

If you have any comments or questions about Tulsa Mayfest please email mayfestvisualarts@gmail.com

• Each artist must supply Evidence of Commercial General Liability with limits of coverage no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in aggregate for bodily injury and property damage. For any artists who do not already have such coverage, Mayfest will provide a simple affordable option.
• All artists must personally attend their exhibit for the entire run of Mayfest. No agents, representatives or family members may attend in place of the artist.  ID will be required at check-in. Mayfest will provide volunteers who can sit the booth for breaks.
• Each artist understands that no commercially produced works; commercially molded ceramics, sculpture or jewelry, items made from kits or assembled from pre-manufactured components or inclusions will be allowed to exhibit.
• Twenty-four-hour police protection will be provided on the festival grounds. However, neither Tulsa Mayfest’s owners, sponsors, and agents nor the City of Tulsa assume responsibility for loss, damage, theft of work or display materials, or for personal injury. Limited overnight storage is available on a first come, first served basis. We strongly recommend that all valuable items be removed each night of the festival to avoid unnecessary problems. 
• Only one artist may exhibit in any given space.
• Each artist is responsible for charging, collecting and properly remitting all applicable Oklahoma state and city sales taxes.
• On opening day, any no-show space will be filled only by artists who applied and were notified of being on the Wait List.

• Mayfest provides a 10’x10’ ground space. Additional spaces will be available to accepted artists for an additional fee.
• Electricity is available for an additional fee of $75. This will be a 10 AMP/120-volt load of electricity.
• Display units should be designed for outdoor use and be capable of withstanding the elements and crowds and must be contained in the 10’x10’ area provided.
• Booth rental fee and signed contract are due upon notification of acceptance to Mayfest.
• Each artist is expected to provide their own display unit, canopy and lighting fixtures.
• STRUCTURE: NO LIGHT-WEIGHT ACCORDION STYLE POP-UP TENTS ARE ALLOWED AT MAYFEST! Each tent must be weighted and braced properly to ensure the highest degree of safety to themselves as well as their neighbor and Mayfest patrons. Each tent leg should have a minimum of 50 lbs. of weight.  Weights may be purchased through Mayfest for a cost of $60  If artist does not have a structure/frame tent of their own to meet the requirements, tents can be rented through Mayfest. Please contact us by email for questions about cost. Artists who do not meet requirements may rent a tent or additional weights through the Mayfest approved vendor or will be asked to leave.