Art Under the Elms 2027

The 43rd annual Art Under the Elms is a three-day arts festival held on the scenic Lewis-Clark State College campus in Lewiston, Idaho. This free community event features over 100 artisan vendors, youth and emerging artist exhibits, live performances, and food vendors. Visitors can enjoy hands-on workshops led by artists, creative activities in the Children’s Art Tent, and interactive youth art experiences.

Art Under the Elms attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year and supports the Center for Arts & History’s mission to connect campus and community through the arts, culture, and humanities. All proceeds benefit the Center’s exhibitions, programs, and arts education initiatives.

 

2027 FEE SCHEDULE
The artisan vendor fee is due upon acceptance, with a deadline of February 19, 2027 (invoices will be sent upon acceptance). The Art Under the Elms booth fee is 75% refundable if canceled by March 5, 2027. No refunds will be issued after this date. Please note, the application fee is non-refundable.
 

Application fee*	$35.00
Returning Vendor Application Fee	$20.00
Emerging Artist Application Fee	$20.00
Youth Application Fee (under 18)	No charge
Booth size
10’ x 10’	$350.00
10’ x 20’	$675.00
Shared 10’ x 10’	$500.00
Shared 10’ x 20’	$600.00
Emerging Artist booth fee (see description below)	$150 (10x10) or $275 (10x20)
Youth Artist booth fee (under 18 – see description below)	$25.00
Extras
Corner booth upgrade (limited quantity/first come first serve basis)	$150.00
Electricity (limited quantity/first come first serve basis)	$75.00
8’ Table rental	$25.00

DATES AND DEADLINES FOR 2026: 

November 6, 2027	Artisan vendor application available on CAH’s website
January 29, 2027	DEADLINE for artisan vendor applications
February 1, 2027	Artisan vendor jury notification, booth fee invoicing
February 19, 2027	Deadline for fee payment
March 5, 2027	Deadline for cancellation with partial refund, no refunds after this date
March 15, 2027	Parking and map information with instructions for permits will be emailed
March 26, 2027	Deadline for insurance, registration
April 15, 2027	Artist check-in and set up
April 16, 2027 April 17, 2027 April 18, 2027	Art Under the Elms Hours:  12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Art Under the Elms Hours:  10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Art Under the Elms Hours   10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Minimum Operating Hours:
Vendor booths must be open and accessible to event patrons during all advertised hours. Exhibitors are required to be present at their booths throughout the festival, with a designated representative or booth sitter available during breaks.

• Friday, April 16, 2027:  12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 17, 2027: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, April 18, 2027: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATION OPPORTUNITIES: 
Youth Artist Application:
Who Qualifies:
Artists under 18 years old (individuals or school groups). Work must be original and created by the youth artist(s). No resale of commercial or mass-produced items will be permitted.

Fees:
• Application Fee: Free
• Booth Fee (10’x10’): $25.00

Requirements:
• Youth exhibitors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or supervising teacher during all Festival hours.
• Shared booths are permitted among youth participants.
• Youth artists are encouraged to provide demonstrations or display works-in-progress to engage visitors and highlight their creative process.

Emerging Artist Application:
Who Qualifies:
Artists aged 18 or older who are new to exhibiting or selling their work professionally (typically with fewer than two years of professional experience or fewer than three juried show acceptances). This category is intended to support early-career artists by providing a reduced booth fee and additional visibility within the event. All work must be original and created by the applying artist or artisan. Mass-produced, imported, or commercially manufactured products are not eligible. Application and booth fees are due upon acceptance. Booths are juried with a simplified review process focusing on originality, craftsmanship, and creative potential. Shared booth options may be available for emerging artists upon approval.

Fees:
• Application Fee: $20.00 (Early Bird through December 18: $15.00)
• Booth Fee (10’x10’): $150.00
• Booth Fee (10’x20’): $275.00

Artisan Vendor Application:
Who Qualifies:
Professional or established artists and artisans aged 18 or older who create and sell original, handcrafted work. This category is intended for individuals with experience exhibiting or selling their work at art fairs, galleries, or similar venues. All work must be original and created by the applying artist or artisan. Mass-produced, imported, or commercially manufactured products are not eligible.

All Artists:
Application and booth fees are due upon acceptance. Booths are juried with a simplified review process focusing on originality, craftsmanship, and creative potential. Shared booth options may be available for emerging artists upon approval.

• Artisans must be present in their booths for all three days of the event. Additional help is encouraged.
• Vendor ID badges, provided by Art Under the Elms, must be worn at all times and are non-transferable.
• Booths must remain open for the entire event, with artisans or a designated representative present at all times.

Artwork:

• All work must be original and created within the last three years.
• Artists may submit up to 3 applications in different media and can only exhibit in accepted categories.
• Only artists accepted in the Jewelry category may display or sell jewelry.
• Exhibited work must match what was accepted by the jury. Art Under the Elms may require unapproved work to be removed.
• Artists may not sell work by others.
• Pre-manufactured, mass-produced, imported or commercial products will not be considered. Digital reproductions of an original work of art may occupy no more than 25% of the booth space and must clearly be marked as reproductions.
• Collaborative applications are allowed, with one artist required to attend. The attending artist must be knowledgeable about all work and have written permission from absent collaborators to show/sell their work. Please submit a single application under one artist’s name and mention the details of the collaboration when prompted in the Additional Questions section.
• Collectives (3+ artists) may apply. Each artist must submit a separate application and be accepted through the jury process. Provide collective details in the application.
• Shared booths are permitted for two independent artists. Both must apply and be accepted. Indicate booth-sharing preferences during the application process.
• The Center for Arts & History reserves the right to have work removed from exhibition that is not consistent with the images submitted and quality standards of the event.

Medium Categories:
As this is a competitive process and vendor space is limited, all applicants to AUE 2027 will be required to undergo the jury process. Artists/Artisans may submit work in one of the following categories per application:

• Beverage (non-alcoholic)
• Food (pre-packaged)
• Lifestyle (candles, home goods, personal products)
• Ceramics
• Digital Art
• Drawing
• Fiber Art/Textiles (wearable and non-wearable)
• Furniture/Design
• Glass
• Graphic Art (animation, calligraphy, illustration, text-based)
• Jewelry
• Metalwork (non-jewelry or sculpture)
• Mixed Media (2D/3D, including recycled/found objects)
• Music/Instruments
• New Media (interactive, kinetic, robotics, AR/VR)
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking (including artist books/zines)
• Sculpture (includes 3D printing, CNC machining)
• Woodworking

APPLICATION PROCESS: 
Description of Material and Techniques (Artist/Artisan Statement):
In the Zapp portal under “Description of Material and Techniques,” provide a detailed explanation of the materials,techniques, and creative process used to produce your work, especially if they are unusual or not immediately apparent from the submitted images. If your artwork includes ready-made or mass-produced objects, please disclose this in either the artist statement or the image description. If applying as part of a collaboration or artist collective, you may briefly mention this in the description, but you will be prompted to provide further details in a separate section.

Images:
All artists must submit five digital images with each application, regardless of past participation. Accepted file formats are .jpg, .jpeg, and .png. Applications without images will be automatically disqualified.

• Four images should represent individual artworks that reflect your current work, showing at least four items intended for exhibit at Art Under the Elms. Include a range of price points.
• The fifth image must display a photo or hand-drawn/computer-rendered image of your booth setup. If you are requesting a double booth, the image must show a double-booth layout.

Insurance for Vendor Artists/Artisans:
I understand that Lewis-Clark State College and the Center for Arts & History, as the producers of Art Under the Elms, require me to carry my own general liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and to submit proof of insurance by March 26, 2027, prior to arrival on campus. They are not responsible for any personal injury or damage to my belongings.
Art Under the Elms requires that all vendors carry liability insurance with coverage of at least $1 million, naming Lewis-Clark State College and the State of Idaho as an additional insured. Proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance) must be received by Art Under the Elms by March 26, 2027, prior to arrival on campus.
If a vendor does not currently have Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage, vendors may obtain coverage through a TULIP, insurance policy, or a similar insurance carrier. TULIP is a Tenants' and Users' Liability Insurance Policy designed for third-party users without liability insurance, offering special event liability coverage at an affordable cost.

Jury Process:
The jury consists of professional arts administrators, curators, and non-participating professional artists. All images and artist statements will be carefully reviewed by the jury members. Applications will be evaluated based on artwork quality and craftsmanship, creativity and uniqueness, presentation (including images and proposed display), and the number of participants in each category. The jury reserves the right to limit acceptance in each category and may eliminate categories that do not meet quality standards. Categories may remain open until filled, and an active waiting list will be maintained.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Jurors will evaluate and rate applications individually, followed by group discussions to narrow down the selection of artists and artisans. To ensure full consideration, please upload high-quality images and provide a detailed Description of Materials and Techniques (Artist Statement) that outlines your artistic concept and process. Since this is not a blind jury process, you are encouraged to include a link to your artist or artisan website in the statement section. While this is not mandatory, it may be considered in the evaluation of your application for Art Under the Elms. As the event aims to engage the public with the arts, accepted artists are encouraged (but not required) to incorporate an educational component in their booths. This could involve live demonstrations, a display of tools or techniques used in the creation of their work, or informational handouts about their materials, processes, or concepts.

Artist Amenities:

• Event Promotion: Inclusion in the event program, maps, LC State press releases, and on the Center for Arts & History’s website and social media platforms.
  • Parking: Free parking for artists and vendors.
  • Booth Sitting: Complimentary assistance for restroom and food breaks.
  • Hospitality Tent: Vendor only area for snacks and refreshments
  • Wireless Internet: Available throughout the campus.
  • Security: 24-hour roaming security and overnight security fencing.
  • Licensing: City of Lewiston Operating License provided by the event producer.
  • Camping: Free overnight camping permitted in a nearby parking lot, with access to showers on campus.

INSURANCE & REGISTRATION:
The requirements and deadlines are outlined in the table below. For any questions about specific requirements not covered in this document, please contact the relevant agency. Contact information, details, and links can be found on the next page.
 

Certificate of Insurance	Your insurance provider	Due to AUE by Friday, March 26 (prior to arrival on campus)
Idaho Tax Commission Event Participant Registration	Online form required of all event participants, regardless of sales permit status. Event ID will be provided to accepted vendors.	Submit form by Friday, March 26

Certificate of Insurance:
All artisan vendors are to provide LC State with a Certificate of Insurance evidencing general liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for the perils of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury and naming LC State and the State of Idaho as additionally insured. Proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance) must be received by Art Under the Elms by March 26, 2027, prior to arrival on campus.

Idaho Tax Commission Event Participation Registration:
If you are selling goods of any type, a permanent or temporary Idaho State Tax Permit is required. Vendors must register on the Idaho Tax Commission website:
Event ID: TBA
Start Date:  April 16, 2027
End Date:  April 18, 2027
Location:  500 8^th Avenue, Lewiston, ID 83501-0000

Vendor Registration Instructions:

1. Visit tax.idaho.gov/GoToTAP and select "Register as a Temporary Seller or Promoter" under “Sellers and Promoters.”
2. Select "Seller WITH Event ID" and click "Next."
3. Choose "I am going to an event" and click "Next."
4. Enter the Event ID and click "Next."
5. Input your seller information and click "Next."
6. Choose your purpose: "I am not making taxable sales," "I have a regular permit," or "I need a temporary permit," then click "Next."
7. Review your details and click "Submit."
8. Check your email for further instructions or your Temporary Seller's Permit (if applicable).

Important: All participants must register. Regular Sales & Use Tax permit holders do not need a temporary permit. For additional information, please contact Patricia Gilmore at the Idaho State Tax Commission, P.O. Box 1014, Lewiston, ID 83501, or call (208) 799-3491. Note: The City of Lewiston Operating License is provided by the event promoter.

If you need more information or help, please contact the Idaho State Tax Commission, P.O. Box 1014, Lewiston, ID 83501, or call (208) 799-3491.Note: The City of Lewiston Operating License is provided by the event promoter.

SALES INFORMATION:
Vendor artists/artisans retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for the collection and reporting of all applicable sales tax. Idaho’s state sales tax is 6%. Your vendor information will be provided to the Idaho State Tax Commission.

PRICING:
Please ensure that all your items are priced or visually categorized by price before the festival. Our attendees value transparency in pricing.

CANOPIES/TENT REQUIREMENTS: 
Spring weather in the LC Valley is highly unpredictable and often windy. To ensure safety, all tents must be secured with a minimum of 40 pounds of weight on each corner, with the weights securely attached to the tent frame or legs. Tents must also be properly staked down. Inspections will be conducted before and during the event to confirm compliance. There are no exceptions—tents that do not meet the weight requirements at all corners must be corrected immediately, or the vendor will be asked to leave the event. In addition, canopies displaying logos from other institutions are not permitted and will need to be removed upon request. Additionally, any canopy deemed inappropriate by Art Under the Elms (AUE) staff must also be taken down.

ELECTRICITY:
Electrical capacity on the artisan green is limited. To ensure we can meet your needs, please provide the total amperage and type of outlet required in advance. Electrical panel boards will be set up prior to vendor check-in by the LC State Physical Plant Department.

GARBAGE: 
Vendors are responsible for proper disposal of waste and must keep their area clean and free of visible trash throughout the event. All vendor trash must be removed from the booth space before departure.

PARKING:

• Park only in designated areas.
• Observe Lewiston's residential "No Parking" signs.
• The library lot is reserved for ADA parking from 6:00 a.m. on April 15 to 4:00 p.m. on April 18. No trailers are allowed to remain in this lot for the duration of the event.
• Sacajawea Hall parking is available with a pass.
• Parking on campus streets or lawns is prohibited.
• Vendor parking is at 11th Avenue and 4th Street.
• For more information, contact LC State Public Safety at (208) 792-2226.

CANCELLATIONS:
If a vendor needs to cancel after paying the applicable booth, water, and electricity fees, written notification (via email) must be received by March 5, 2027, to qualify for a 75% refund of those fees. No refunds will be granted after this date for any reason.

If LC State, the City of Lewiston, North Central District Health, or any other governmental agency denies permission to hold Art Under the Elms, the Center for Arts and History will refund the booth and electricity fees.

VEHICLE SAFETY:
Vendors, employees, and associates must strictly follow all LC State speed limits. The campus speed is restricted to "creeping" speed only. Violators may be ticketed or banned from campus. When backing up a vehicle with a trailer, vendors are required to have a spotter, as this is a high-traffic area for students.

SECURITY:
LC State is not liable for any loss or damage to merchandise or money due to theft or other causes. Security will be provided by local and campus law enforcement agencies from Thursday through Sunday.

CONDUCT:
Abusive or disruptive behavior by any vendor or their representatives towards anyone or anything will not be tolerated. LC State reserves the right to remove any vendor from the event immediately for any reason, including but not limited to violations of the terms and conditions of participation at Art Under the Elms, as well as the laws of the State of Idaho and the City of Lewiston.

FIREARMS:
Idaho State Law prohibits the carrying of firearms at an event the size of Art Under the Elms. For information please go to https://www.lcsc.edu/public-safety/campus-security-policies/firearms-on-campus.

NO SMOKING:
Art Under the Elms takes place on a Smoke-Free Clean Air Campus, and smoking is not allowed on the premises. We appreciate your cooperation and hope you enjoy the fresh air. Please note that AUE volunteers will not be able to cover vendor booths during smoke breaks, so plan accordingly.

PETS:
In accordance with LC State’s Animals on Campus Policy 3.116, pets are not permitted on campus during Art Under the Elms. Failure to comply may result in fines, removal from the event, and disqualification from future participation. For more details, please refer to LC State's animal policy: LC State Animal Rules.

SERVICE ANIMALS:
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog (or, in some cases, a miniature horse) that has been individually trained to perform specific tasks directly related to the handler's disability. The tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the disability and not merely for companionship or comfort.

Behavior and Control Requirements: Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times, unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In such cases, the handler must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective means.

Responsibility of Handlers: Handlers are solely responsible for the behavior and actions of their service animals. Handlers are expected to ensure their service animals do not disrupt the event or pose a risk to other attendees, vendors, or staff. Any service animal that behaves inappropriately (e.g., uncontrolled barking, jumping on others, or aggressive behavior) may be asked to leave the premises.

SOLICITATION & POLITICAL CANVASSING:
In accordance with LC State policy: Picketing, Petitioning, and Distribution of Materials Activities such as picketing, petitioning, and the distribution of materials—including pamphlets, signs, brochures, handouts, banners, flyers, and other free expression items—are permitted in public areas of the LC State campus, provided they do not disrupt normal business operations, teaching, learning, or any reserved events. As Art Under the Elms is a reserved event, these activities are not allowed within the designated reserved areas.

WEATHER & FORCE MAJEURE

• LC State may alter the event due to inclement weather or force majeure events. While we will do our best to notify vendors of any changes, it is their responsibility to stay informed through official communications (email, social media, and website) and protect their own booths.
• LC State and its employees are not liable for damage or injury from weather-related events or force majeure occurrences, including storms or natural disasters. No refunds will be issued for booth fees if the festival is canceled or altered due to these events.
• Vendors are responsible for securing their equipment and merchandise against potential damages and agree to indemnify and hold harmless LC State, its employees, and event organizers from any claims or liabilities arising from their participation, including those related to weather or force majeure.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: 
Participating artists/artisans agree to make no claim for any reason whatsoever, including negligence against Lewis-Clark State College, its employees, or volunteers for loss, theft, damage, destruction of property or towing of vehicles, nor for any injury to artists, their employees, or guests while at Art Under the Elms.