Inquiring Artists: 2026 applications are now open!

Application deadline: Tuesday, January 20th
Artist Notification Date: Tuesday, February 10th
Show date: Saturday, May 16th

EVENT INFORMATION

Join the 34th Annual Marion Arts Festival!

Greetings from the heart of East Central Iowa! The Marion Arts Festival is a one-day event that brings together 50 of the nation's most respected artists to an audience of over 10,000 enthusiastic art lovers.

Known for its intimate and purposeful atmosphere, the festival aims to create a thriving environment for both artists and art enthusiasts. In addition to the juried art fair, the event features live music, activities for all ages, food vendors, and a popular half-marathon and 5K race. It's a key cultural event for the community and a highlight of the year for art lovers in Eastern Iowa.

Why artists love our show:

• Convenient setup: Our newly renovated festival street allows you to load directly into your booth. 

• You are our guest: Join us for the artist party on Friday with drinks & heavy appetizers. On festival day receive complimentary breakfast, lunch, coffee and snack bags. Hotel block available for artists and you will be home by Sunday!

• A thriving community: We're the only event of our kind in Eastern Iowa and a cherished annual tradition for our community. Our mission is to be an event where you can truly thrive.

• A premier event: We're consistently named among Art Fair SourceBook's Top 50 Events.

"Our show is one-day, intimate, and purposeful, with the mission to be an event through which you can thrive."

Visit our gallery of 2025 exhibitors HERE! and see the incredible talent we had last year.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Artist Amenities

We're dedicated to making your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We’ve got you covered with a full range of perks!

• Friday Load-In: Arrive at your designated time for check-in and setup, then unwind at our complimentary artist party with drinks and heavy appetizers.

• New Patron Sponsor Program: Dedicated art lovers pledge funds in advance to purchase art at the festival. This program uses a medallion system ($100 per medallion) that patrons will use to buy work throughout the day. At the end of the festival, artists’ trade the medallions for cash.

• Logistics & Support: Overnight security, convenient artist parking, and dedicated booth sitters and volunteers throughout the day. New in 2026 - extra tent weights, day-of festival security precautions and safety amenities will be provided. 

• Hospitality: We provide breakfast bags, snacks, and lunch on the day of the festival. A hotel block is also provided to artists in advance of the festival. 

• Cash Prizes & Recognition: Compete for cash awards, with last year's prizes at $750 (1st), $500 (2nd), and $250 (3rd). Award winners also receive an invitation to the following year's show.

• Extensive Marketing: We make sure the community knows you're here. Our extensive marketing efforts include billboards, web ads, TV, radio, and a 12-page festival program distributed to 60,000 area households.

Our Jury Process

We're a small show with a big commitment to showcasing unique and exceptional work. Our rotating blind jury reviews applicants to ensure each medium is well-represented and balanced.

• Small & Selective: With 50 spots available (three of which are reserved for the previous year's winners), we have a blind jury process with rotating jurors each year. 

• Why a long alternate list? We compete with other top shows on our weekend. Our long alternate list ensures we can fill any open spots with a similar, high-quality artist. This is how we will maintain the balance and integrity of the show.

• A Personal Touch: We might give you a call or send an email if we have questions about your application. We do this because we care about being the right fit for you and making sure our show is a success for everyone.

RULES/REGULATIONS

We are an all-original show dedicated to high-quality fine art and fine craft. Please keep the following in mind as you apply:

• No Reproductions or Commercial Products. This includes mass-produced works. Limited edition prints are allowed but must be signed & numbered. 

• For printmaking, photography, and digital art, all work must be original, hand-pulled, or created by the artist's hand. Limited edition prints are acceptable but must be signed and numbered.

• Be Prepared to Explain Your Process: If you work in ceramics or jewelry, use the "Description of Material and Technique" section of the application to explain your process, especially if you use molds or pre-manufactured components.

• Booth Integrity: Your booth photo must accurately represent your setup, and only work submitted for jury may be displayed. The quality of your tent and the presentation of your work are important pieces of the jurying process. 

• Artist Presence: The artist must be present to staff their booth. No dealers, agents, or representatives are permitted.

• A Special Note for Local Artists: If you currently exhibit at a local gallery, please communicate with the gallery owner before applying to avoid any conflicts.

Application & Booth Details

• Application Process: All applications are accepted exclusively through zapplication.org

• Submission: You'll need to submit four images of your work and one booth shot (5 total photos). Consider submitting pieces in different price ranges for the full scope of your work. 

• Category specific notes: 

  • Printmaking: in this category, only hand-pulled original prints are acceptable in signed and numbered limited editions.

  • Photography: We've come to realize this is an ever-changing medium. What we wish to avoid are works printed en masse; instead, we're looking for artwork that is by the artist's hand, whether that be through printing, hand-coloring, digital manipulation, et al. Please use the "Description of Material and Technique" section of application as an opportunity to speak to the jurors regarding your process. Signed and numbered limited editions, please.

  • Digital/Graphics: limited editions, signed and numbered.

  • Ceramics: if molds are used, please explain your process in the "Description of Material and Technique" section of the application.

  • Jewelers: please explain your process and materials. Are all components hand-fabricated by you? Are some elements pre-manufactured? Please explain in the "Description of Material and Technique" section of the application. All jewelry must be juried in the jewelry category, e.g., no glass jewelry in a glass booth unless such has been juried in the jewelry category.

• Artists may enter in more than one medium but must submit separate applications with fees and images. If only one application is accepted, only work in that medium may be exhibited.

• Fees:

  • Jury Fee: $30 (due with application)

  • Booth Cost: $250 (due after acceptance)

BOOTH INFORMATION

Please be prepared for any eventuality in the weather, specifically rain & wind. If the wind speed is high, the festival will have a pallet of sand bags available. Artists must bring 80lbs of weight for each leg. 

If it has been more than three years since you showed at the Marion Arts Festival, this festival has moved to the street! All booths are on a hard surface with no staking. 80lbs of weight is required for each leg. 

Booth spaces are 10' x 10' on a hard surface, 3’ on each side of your tent, 6’ total between tents. This allows for the opportunity to display work on outside tent walls. 

Tents or canopies are required, unless approved prior to festival day; pop-up tents are not allowed. Tent rentals must be approved by the Director at least two weeks prior to festival day. 

No double booths and no electricity provided at your booth.

REFUND POLICY

The MAF is an outdoor show - the event goes on RAIN OR SHINE and has NO RAIN DATE. Please be prepared for any eventuality in the weather. Refunds will not be given due to inclement weather. No refunds will be made to exhibitors who cancel on or after March 3, 2026.

JURY DETAILS

Average number of applications submitted each year:

200

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

47

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

3

How returning artists are selected:

Received an award

How images are viewed by jurors:

Computer monitor

Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by:

Application ID (number generated when application is started by artist)

Jurors score applications using the following scale:

1 - 5

Number of jurors scoring applications:

3-5

The show organizes the jurors for a:

Multiple jury panels that score applications for specific medium categories that he/she has expertise

Jurors score

Separately from various locations

Am I allowed to observe the jury process?

Jury process is closed