Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street 2026

Location: Historic Walnut Street between John Q. Hammons Parkway and National Avenue

Springfield, Missouri (Midwest)

417-862-2787

EVENT INFORMATION

Artsfest makes art essential to the lives of those living in the Southwest Missouri by showcasing talented artists and their creativity in a community-centric festival. More than forty years strong, this outdoor event hosts over 110 artists on the beautiful Historic Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri. With more than 20,000 attendees, Artsfest prides itself on Midwestern hospitality for artists. More than $5,000 in cash awards will be given at the festival, including:

• Best of Show - $1,000
• Best of Show 2D - $500
• Best of Show 3D - $500
• ​People's Choice - $500
• ​Award of Excellence (as many as eight) - $500

GENERAL INFORMATION

LOCATION

Artsfest is located on Historic Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri, amidst historic Victorian homes and tree-lined sidewalks. The festival is adjacent to the Missouri State University campus (second-largest university in Missouri) and Downtown Springfield (with dozens of restaurants and local retail shops, 750 hotel rooms and more) and almost 30,000 residents within a mile of the festival.

SHOW DATES & TIMES

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

The festival is held rain or shine.

JURY INFORMATION

• The non-refundable jury fee is $30
• All artists will be notified by Feb. 27, 2026
• The jury panel will consist of three independent, qualified jurors
• Each entry will be considered solely on the merits of the works pictured in the images submitted
• Each entry will be assigned a number and will be identified to the jurors by that number
• The following factors will be considered in jurying:
• Overall Presentation: The body of work should be cohesive and show an identity of design. The display should be professional, inviting and complementary to the work
• Craftsmanship: Work should be well-conceived and expertly executed
• Originality: All work must be the original work of the artist. It should convey the individuality of the artist and exhibit visual distinction. Artwork created using artificial intelligence is not permitted.

Up to 110 artists will be accepted and 15-20 alternates chosen. Alternates will be notified via email if a spot becomes available.

MEDIA DESCRIPTIONS

• Clay: Original works in ceramics, excludes jewelry.
• Drawing: Two-dimensional works in pencil, chalk, ink, pastel, or charcoal.
• Digital Art: Works that draw upon the use of digital technology in its creative process or presentation, excludes photography. Artwork created using artificial intelligence is not permitted.
• Fiber: Works in fiber of any type including fabric and paper; weaving, batik and basketry; excludes jewelry.
• Glass: Works made of glass crafted by glassblowing, casting, kilnforming or assemblage; must not be made from commercial patterns; excludes jewelry.
• Jewelry: Wearable works in metals, clay, glass, fibers, paper, plastics, or other materials.
• Metal: Works crafted from metal; excludes jewelry.
• Mixed Media: Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works that incorporate more than one type of material in the production of a single work; excludes jewelry.
• Painting: Two-dimensional works in paint including oil, watercolor, acrylic, and others.
• Photography: Works created by digital or traditional photographic methods. Actual artist photographer must be in attendance.
• Printmaking: Works created using traditional intaglio or relief printmaking, including wood block, linocut and/or screenprinting.
• Sculpture: Original work that is three-dimensional, can be made from a variety of materials, including clay, stone, wood, metal, plaster, wax, resins, and plastics.
• Wood: Unique, original hand-tooled, machine worked or carved work.

• ARTIST AMENITIESDrive to your booth space for unloading/loading
• Booth sitters provided each day
• Breakfast of coffee and pastries provided each day at Artist Hospitality Tent
• Artist Hospitality Tent provides lunch for accepted artist each day (one helper can recieve a lunch if requested ahead of time)
• Luxury restroom facilities at Artist Hospitality Tent

RULES/REGULATIONS

• All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist.
• No work from commercially available molds, kits or patterns.
• Artists are only allowed to bring work from the medium(s) that they are juried and accepted in.
• No imports or buy/sell. Items purchased from others (whether wholesale, retail, or third parties) expressly for resale (“buy/sell”) are not permitted. If any work is discovered to be out of compliance, whether during jury review, installation, or show hours, it will be removed or disqualified. By applying and participating, artists affirm that all work offered is their own original production, not merchandise purchased for resale.
• All artwork exhibited or sold at Artsfest must be original, human-created work by the submitting artist. Artwork that is created using AI tools, text-to-image generators, or other automated algorithms (in whole or in part) is expressly prohibited. If a piece is found to violate this rule during jurying or display, it will be disqualified or removed. By submitting, artists affirm that the work is their own creation and not the output of AI systems.
• All artists must be present throughout the two-day festival. No agents, reps or dealers. A photo ID will be required at festival check-in.
• All artists must have a City of Springfield retail license and State of MO tax identification number. Additional licensing information will be made available upon acceptance to Artsfest.
• It is the artist’s responsibility to collect and report sales tax.
• Artists need to provide their own display, including a tent or canopy.
• Artists are required to provide sturdy weights for their tent or canopy.
• Remember, the show goes on rain or shine, so be prepared. Artists are responsible for proper insurance of their artwork and display. Artsfest will not be responsible for damage to work or displays due to weather or other incidents.
• Giclees of original work on display may be exhibited in non-prominent place in booth unframed. They may be shrink-wrapped and must be clearly marked as reproductions.

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