The Denver Arts Festival is a highly respected fine arts and fine crafts festival showcasing the work of Colorado artists and a select group of national artists for over 25 years.
With over 50,000 people in attendance each year, it is one of the top shows in the nation and offers a fantastic opportunity for visual artists to exhibit and sell their artwork. The festival takes place at Central Park’s Conservatory Green neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado, which boasts a highly affluent community with top-tier median income and education levels in the nation.
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Contact Information
| Website: | denverartsfestival.com |
| When: | Yearly in May |
| email: | [email protected] |
| Facebook: | DenverArtsFestival |
| Instagram: |
About the Festival
With its picturesque location in Denver’s Central Park (formerly Stapleton) development, the festival offers artists a stunning backdrop to showcase their work. Boasting a history of over 25 years, the festival has gained recognition as one of the top shows in the nation, attracting over 50,000 visitors.
What sets the Denver Arts Festival apart is its commitment to showcasing local and national artists, with a 60/40% split in favor of Colorado artists. This dedication to supporting local talent has fostered a thriving arts community and contributed to the festival’s popularity.
The event has garnered significant press coverage, further enhancing its reputation as a premier arts festival. Artists have the opportunity to reach a large and diverse audience, connecting with art enthusiasts and potential buyers from the Denver area and beyond.
With its impressive attendance figures, prestigious location, and commitment to promoting artists, the Denver Arts Festival presents an exceptional platform for artists to showcase their creativity and connect with a passionate audience of art lovers.
Venue Information
Known as the Mile High City, Denver is situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, offering breathtaking views and a stunning natural backdrop. As Colorado’s capital and largest city, Denver is a thriving cultural hub with a rich arts scene and a strong appreciation for creativity.
The festival is in Central Park’s Conservatory Green neighborhoods, located in the heart of Denver. This former Stapleton development has become sophisticated with upscale neighborhoods, parks, and bike trails. The festival takes advantage of this prime location, attracting local and national artists to showcase their work.
Denver’s popularity as a destination for art and culture has made the Denver Arts Festival a highly anticipated event. With its convenient access to major highways, the festival draws in many attendees, with over 50,000 people expected to visit each year.
The festival’s location in Central Park provides ample parking for visitors. It ensures that artists display their artwork on well-maintained paved streets, creating a professional and inviting atmosphere for all.
Opportunity for Artists
With an estimated attendance of over 50,000 visitors each year, the festival offers artists a significant platform to showcase their talent and connect with potential buyers. This high visitor turnout translates into a strong sales potential, allowing artists to generate revenue and expand their customer base.
The festival’s competitive jurying process ensures a high-quality selection of artists, creating a vibrant and diverse art exhibition. Artists can display their artwork alongside some of Colorado’s and the nation’s best talents, gaining exposure and recognition within the art community.
Moreover, the festival’s commitment to showcasing a mix of Colorado and national artists creates a unique dynamic, providing a valuable networking opportunity for artists to connect with their peers and establish relationships in the industry.
Due to the festival’s popularity and limited availability, securing a booth spot at the Denver Arts Festival can be highly competitive. Artists are encouraged to submit their applications early to increase their chances of selection. However, the festival strives to accommodate as many artists as possible, typically honoring 90% or more of booth requests, allowing artists to showcase their work in the prime festival location.
Overall, the Denver Arts Festival allows artists to sell their artwork, generate income, gain exposure, connect with other artists, and create lasting connections with art enthusiasts and potential buyers nationwide.
How to Participate
All exhibited work must be original art produced by the artist, including limited editions of the artist’s original work. Two-dimensional pieces must be framed, matted, or stretched, while ceramic works must be handmade and signed if multiple pieces of the same design are displayed.
Artists must be present during the festival to exhibit their work, as no representatives or spouses are permitted in their place. Only the accepted artist’s name can be listed on the application and booth. The festival strictly prohibits the sale of promotional items such as postcards, calendars, or photocopy reproductions, emphasizing the focus on original artwork.
The application process consists of a competitive jurying system, where a panel of experienced jurors reviews the submitted artwork images on calibrated monitors. Artists are also required to provide an artist statement.
Participants for the festival are selected based on this jury process, except a small percentage chosen by the Festival Director to ensure a balanced show. Artists who were previously chosen from the street jury or received awards in previous years are also invited to participate.
Fees and Costs
A non-refundable application fee of $40.00 is required during the application process.
Upon acceptance into the festival, artists are responsible for booth fees, which vary depending on the size. A single booth measuring 10′ x 10′ requires a fee of $525.00 (2024), while a double booth measuring 10′ x 20′ has a fee of $1050.00 (2024). It’s important to note that double booths have limited availability, so artists should consider applying early to secure their preferred booth size.
There is an additional fee of $50.00 for artists requiring electricity in their booth, although it is limited in availability. Corner booths, which offer enhanced visibility, have a supplemental fee of $150.00. However, the number of corner booths is limited, so artists should plan accordingly.
Permits and insurance are also required to participate in the festival. Accepted artists must obtain liability insurance, and the festival offers a special deal for a weekend policy at around $45.00 (2024).
Parking and Setup Logistics
Booth setup for vendors can commence at 7:00 a.m. on each festival day, offering artists ample time to prepare their displays and arrange their artwork. The festival organizers prioritize ensuring a smooth and efficient setup process for all artists.
As for parking availability, the festival offers free parking for both artists and visitors. This eliminates any concerns about finding parking spaces and allows attendees to access the event easily.
The festival’s commitment to providing a convenient setup process and ample parking facilities reflects its dedication to creating a positive experience for participating artists and attendees. These arrangements contribute to the festival’s overall smooth functioning and allow artists to focus on showcasing their artwork to the large and diverse audience that the event attracts.
