Fairs/Festivals
Allentown Art Festival 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 5
- Total | Max: 5
Opportunity Summary
- Held annually during the second weekend in June in Buffalo, New York, The Allentown Art Festival, formally designated as a "Local Legacy " and cultural treasure by the United States Library of Congress, is one of the country's most respected open air art celebrations. This year we are celebrating our 70th milestone annual show. This juried, non profit event transforms the historic Allentown neighborhood, spanning Delaware Avenue, Allen, Virginia and Allen streets into a vibrant art gallery. More than 350 juried artists across media including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, wood, leather and fiber participate in the show. The festival combines high caliber fine art with live demonstrations, local food vendors, music and dance. When you exhibit with us, you join a vibrant community of national and regional creators. Set against the backdrop of our historic neighborhood, the festival draws massive, enthusiastic crowds of dedicated art lovers and buyers. We pride ourselves on creating a warm environment for artists to showcase artists' talent and extraordinary works.
- The Allentown Art Festival has deep community roots that support funding for childrens' art programs throughout western New York. Our mission is to support the arts in Buffalo. Each year we award over $25,000.00 in college scholarships to Western New York students who intend to major in art.
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General Information
Prizes total $21,000.00 including $3500.00 for Best in Show
Artists apply in the following media
Drawing and Graphics Ceramics
Painting Jewelry
Photography Fiber/Leather
Sculpture Wood/Metal
2D Mixed Media Glass
Digital Art
Prizes are awarded in each media.
First prize $1000.00
Scond prize $500.00
Third prize $250.00
Best of Show Prize in the amount of $3500.00 is awarded each year in addition to prizes awarded in the art and craft categories.
All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the Allentown Art Festival. There is not a guarantee that all media prizes will be awarded.
Artists are invited to attend the award ceremony and reception held Saturday evening at 6:30 PM to enjoy food and drinks with our members. Artist prizes are announced at the reception. Our poster designer and student scholarship prize winners are introduced and presented their awards at the reception.
The Allentown Art Festival has acquired permission for exhibitors to park free of charge in the Prentiss employee lot at 472 Franklin Street. There is space for trailers. Space is limited and is not guaranteed. Parking is permitted after 5:00 PM. Exhibitors are not allowed to park in spaces reserved for employees or to block other cars or driveways. Place parking permit on dashboard inside windshield. A map of available parking lots will be included with acceptance packets.
All Artist booths are accessible by vehicles for set up and tear down. We request that vehicles are moved out of show area by 9:00 AM daily
Artists may begin set up after 6:00 pm on Friday June 11, 2027
Our volunteers are available both days for assistance. You will see us walking and driving on golf carts.
24 hour security is provided by both the Buffalo Police and private security hired by the Allentown Art Festival
Volunteer booth sitters are available upon request
Artists apply in the following media
Drawing and Graphics Ceramics
Painting Jewelry
Photography Fiber/Leather
Sculpture Wood/Metal
2D Mixed Media Glass
Digital Art
Prizes are awarded in each media.
First prize $1000.00
Scond prize $500.00
Third prize $250.00
Best of Show Prize in the amount of $3500.00 is awarded each year in addition to prizes awarded in the art and craft categories.
All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the Allentown Art Festival. There is not a guarantee that all media prizes will be awarded.
Artists are invited to attend the award ceremony and reception held Saturday evening at 6:30 PM to enjoy food and drinks with our members. Artist prizes are announced at the reception. Our poster designer and student scholarship prize winners are introduced and presented their awards at the reception.
The Allentown Art Festival has acquired permission for exhibitors to park free of charge in the Prentiss employee lot at 472 Franklin Street. There is space for trailers. Space is limited and is not guaranteed. Parking is permitted after 5:00 PM. Exhibitors are not allowed to park in spaces reserved for employees or to block other cars or driveways. Place parking permit on dashboard inside windshield. A map of available parking lots will be included with acceptance packets.
All Artist booths are accessible by vehicles for set up and tear down. We request that vehicles are moved out of show area by 9:00 AM daily
Artists may begin set up after 6:00 pm on Friday June 11, 2027
Our volunteers are available both days for assistance. You will see us walking and driving on golf carts.
24 hour security is provided by both the Buffalo Police and private security hired by the Allentown Art Festival
Volunteer booth sitters are available upon request
Application Requirements
All work must be original, handcrafted, created and exhibited by the accepted artist.The registered exhibitor must be present with his or her display for both days of the show.
No representatives will be permitted.
Only one artist or craftperson is allowed on each application. All work must be attributable solely to the displaying applicant.
Works created through collaborative groups will not be accepted.
Works created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
No kits, imports or mass produced items will be accepted.
Artists may exhibit works only in those media selected by the jury and listed on the artist permit. Works displayed must be comparable to works submitted for jurying. No other items will be allowed in the booth.
Any media not approved through the jury process that appears in the booth, will be removed.
The following items are not eligible:
Items made from kits, commercial molds, patterns, logos or trademarked names and designs
Body Art (tattoos)
Magnets
Novelty crafts
Velvet paintings
Decoupage
Plants, dry florals
Rubber stamps
Edible items
Bottle caps
Flattened glass bottles
Painting on premade glass, ceramic, pottery or wooden items
Soap, oils, lotions
The Allentown Art Festival reserves the right to exclude works that are mass produced or do not conform to the festival standards for creativity and originality. Images created through Artificial Intelligence will not be accepted.
All graphic reproductions of original work must be properly registered, signed and numbered.
The originals must be on display and properly noted.
Reproductions must be displayed apart from originals and clearly identified as such with a prominently displayed sign. Reproductions must constitute less than one third of total display.
Browse boxes must be similarly limited.
Approved exhibitors must be in their booth for the duration of the show. No representatives are allowed.
No booth sharing is allowed.
Displays must be professional and aesthetically pleasing.
All tents must be white. Artists are required to secure their tents to ensure that tents are not susceptible to movement in any conditions.
The Allentown Art Festival is not responsible for damage to property caused by weather events.
All work and displays may not extend beyond the assigned space and may not protrude into street. The sidewalk in back of tent may not be used for storage and must remain clear and accessible.
Handwritten and sale signs are strictly prohibited.
An exhibitor permit is provided to accepted artists. The validated permit must be attached to display in full view from the street. This permit will be checked during the show. Displays without a valid exhibitor permit will be deemed unauthorized and will be removed. An exhibitor ribbon will also be provided. The ribbon must be worn or displayed in the booth. Ribbons from other shows are not allowed and may not be displayed.
All vehicles must be removed from show area by 9:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. No vehicles may reenter until 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday
Images submitted to the Allentown Art Festival may be displayed on Allentown Art Festival web site.
There are no refunds for processing fees
Violation of show rules is a basis for expulsion and forfeiture of all fees including awards and prizes.
There will be no rain date nor will refunds be made due to inclement weather.
No representatives will be permitted.
Only one artist or craftperson is allowed on each application. All work must be attributable solely to the displaying applicant.
Works created through collaborative groups will not be accepted.
Works created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
No kits, imports or mass produced items will be accepted.
Artists may exhibit works only in those media selected by the jury and listed on the artist permit. Works displayed must be comparable to works submitted for jurying. No other items will be allowed in the booth.
Any media not approved through the jury process that appears in the booth, will be removed.
The following items are not eligible:
Items made from kits, commercial molds, patterns, logos or trademarked names and designs
Body Art (tattoos)
Magnets
Novelty crafts
Velvet paintings
Decoupage
Plants, dry florals
Rubber stamps
Edible items
Bottle caps
Flattened glass bottles
Painting on premade glass, ceramic, pottery or wooden items
Soap, oils, lotions
The Allentown Art Festival reserves the right to exclude works that are mass produced or do not conform to the festival standards for creativity and originality. Images created through Artificial Intelligence will not be accepted.
All graphic reproductions of original work must be properly registered, signed and numbered.
The originals must be on display and properly noted.
Reproductions must be displayed apart from originals and clearly identified as such with a prominently displayed sign. Reproductions must constitute less than one third of total display.
Browse boxes must be similarly limited.
Approved exhibitors must be in their booth for the duration of the show. No representatives are allowed.
No booth sharing is allowed.
Displays must be professional and aesthetically pleasing.
All tents must be white. Artists are required to secure their tents to ensure that tents are not susceptible to movement in any conditions.
The Allentown Art Festival is not responsible for damage to property caused by weather events.
All work and displays may not extend beyond the assigned space and may not protrude into street. The sidewalk in back of tent may not be used for storage and must remain clear and accessible.
Handwritten and sale signs are strictly prohibited.
An exhibitor permit is provided to accepted artists. The validated permit must be attached to display in full view from the street. This permit will be checked during the show. Displays without a valid exhibitor permit will be deemed unauthorized and will be removed. An exhibitor ribbon will also be provided. The ribbon must be worn or displayed in the booth. Ribbons from other shows are not allowed and may not be displayed.
All vehicles must be removed from show area by 9:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday. No vehicles may reenter until 7:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday
Images submitted to the Allentown Art Festival may be displayed on Allentown Art Festival web site.
There are no refunds for processing fees
Violation of show rules is a basis for expulsion and forfeiture of all fees including awards and prizes.
There will be no rain date nor will refunds be made due to inclement weather.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
500
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
350
Booth Information
The show is held along the streets of the Allentown community in the City of Buffalo.
Each applicant is assigned one space 13 feet wide by 10 feet deep.
A limited number of double booths will be available. Please be advised that a double booth may be in a different location than any previously assigned space. Artists must indicate which type of booth is required.
Artists may also request a particular spot. We will honor requests if possible.
Fees are as follows: $35.00 non refundable application fee, paid by all applicants
$325.00 single booth fee
$525.00 double booth fee
Artists' assigned spaces are shown on the exhibitor's permit. Space numbers and boundaries are painted on the curbs.
Artists are required to provide their own tent and display materials. Tents must be 10' by 10' white tents. Pop up tents are not adequate and are not allowed.
The placement committee will make every effort to accomodate special requests when possible.
Displays may be set up each day at artists' convenience, not prior to 6:00 PM Friday.
If assigned space is open, exhibitor may begin set up on Friday evening.
A parking ban goes into effect at 12:00 AM Saturday.
Artist displays should be in place by 10:00 AM
Displays left up overnight are at artist's own risk.
The street will be open for exhibitor only traffic at 7:00 PM
The street will be open for all traffic at 8:00 PM
Festival hours are from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday
Each applicant is assigned one space 13 feet wide by 10 feet deep.
A limited number of double booths will be available. Please be advised that a double booth may be in a different location than any previously assigned space. Artists must indicate which type of booth is required.
Artists may also request a particular spot. We will honor requests if possible.
Fees are as follows: $35.00 non refundable application fee, paid by all applicants
$325.00 single booth fee
$525.00 double booth fee
Artists' assigned spaces are shown on the exhibitor's permit. Space numbers and boundaries are painted on the curbs.
Artists are required to provide their own tent and display materials. Tents must be 10' by 10' white tents. Pop up tents are not adequate and are not allowed.
The placement committee will make every effort to accomodate special requests when possible.
Displays may be set up each day at artists' convenience, not prior to 6:00 PM Friday.
If assigned space is open, exhibitor may begin set up on Friday evening.
A parking ban goes into effect at 12:00 AM Saturday.
Artist displays should be in place by 10:00 AM
Displays left up overnight are at artist's own risk.
The street will be open for exhibitor only traffic at 7:00 PM
The street will be open for all traffic at 8:00 PM
Festival hours are from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday
Refund Policy
Refund policy is as follows:
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by mail or email.
Application fees are non refundable.
Refund of booth fee for artist cancellation will be issued if request is made before April 1, 2027.
Refund of booth fee for cancellation received from April 1, 2027 through May 1, 2027 will be issued, less $25.00 administration fee.
No refunds will be issued after May 1,2027.
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by mail or email.
Application fees are non refundable.
Refund of booth fee for artist cancellation will be issued if request is made before April 1, 2027.
Refund of booth fee for cancellation received from April 1, 2027 through May 1, 2027 will be issued, less $25.00 administration fee.
No refunds will be issued after May 1,2027.
Additional Fees
Double Booth fee: $525
Booth fee: $325