The Mission Fed ArtWalk is an annual art festival held in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Italy in San Diego. With a history of over 40 years, it is the city’s longest-running and largest art festival. The event attracts over 100,000 art lovers from all over the USA each year, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere perfect for artists looking to showcase and sell their work.
The Little Italy Art Walk provides artists with an incredible opportunity to connect with a large and diverse audience. With over 15 blocks dedicated to the festival, artists have a wide variety of locations, each with its unique character.
The event is well-known for its artist-focused management style, ensuring that artist requests are well-attended and that their artwork receives extensive marketing and publicity. Additionally, artists can take pride in being part of a festival that supports ArtReach, a non-profit organization that brings art education to schools in San Diego County.
If you’re an artist looking for a vibrant and supportive art festival to showcase your work, the Mission Fed ArtWalk is the perfect choice.
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Contact Information
| Website: | artwalksandiego.org/missionfederal |
| When: | Annually in April |
| email: | info@artwalksandiego.org |
| Facebook: | ArtWalkSD |
| Instagram: | artwalksd |
Mission Fed Artwalk Experience
With a strong focus on community involvement, Artwalk San Diego’s Community Engagement Initiatives aim to enrich the lives of individuals through art education and cultural enrichment. Through interactive art experiences and visual art workshops, the program strives to provide high-quality art education to individuals of all ages.
Artists participating in the Mission Fed ArtWalk can expect a dynamic and engaging experience. With large crowds of art enthusiasts, the festival provides a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work. The festival’s reputation as one of San Diego’s top public events ensures a steady flow of visitors throughout the weekend, offering artists a high sales potential.
The festival’s extensive marketing and publicity campaigns, including radio, television, print, and online advertising, help to attract a diverse range of art lovers from all over the country. Artists can also benefit from the festival’s artist-focused management style, with a dedicated team and volunteers to assist with any requests and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Opportunity for Artists
Artists have a unique platform to showcase their creativity and connect with a diverse audience at the Mission Fed ArtWalk in San Diego. By participating, artists have the opportunity to showcase and sell their work and support the mission of connecting communities and enriching cultural life through visual and performing arts.
Artists can choose from booth options, including individual and group artist packages. The individual artist packages offer artists the chance to showcase and sell their work directly to the public. Artists are responsible for bringing their own white, professional display tent, and they can rent one from the festival as well.
Additionally, artists can work with established, permanent artist groups and galleries through the group artist packages, which provide larger spaces for multiple artists to showcase their work collectively. These packages are ideal for artists who want to collaborate and leverage the collective appeal of their artworks.
While the competition can be fierce, the festival’s jury committee carefully selects artists based on the quality and professionalism of their work, ensuring a high standard of artistry throughout the event. Artists with well-curated displays and a strong artistic vision tend to stand out and have a greater chance of success.
How to Participate
Applicants must meet specific requirements to be accepted as an artist for the Mission Fed ArtWalk. Only fine artists are eligible to participate, and the event strictly prohibits buying/selling of imported items.
The jury committee does not accept lower-end crafts or wearable art, except for certain fine art jewelry. Applications must include high-quality images that accurately represent the artist’s work and a professional display photo showcasing their artwork using a grid wall, pro panel, flourish mesh panel, or another type of professional display system.
Artists must also comply with all event safety requirements, non-smoking policies, and local and state laws.
The application process for the Mission Fed ArtWalk involves applying the ZAPP system, which requires artists to provide detailed information about their artwork, display, and contact details. The application images and display photos are reviewed by a jury panel, who score applications based on criteria such as the quality and originality of the artwork, the professionalism of the display, and the overall artistic vision.
Artists are encouraged to apply early, as the jury process is carried out on a rolling basis, and an advantage is given to early applicants. Once accepted, artists receive further information regarding booth setup, load-in times, and other event logistics.
Venue Information
Nestled in the vibrant Little Italy district of San Diego, the Little Italy Art Walk by Mission Federal venue sets the stage for a captivating showcase of artistic talent from both the US and Mexico.
This festival brings together over 250 visual and performing artists, offering attendees diverse artistic styles to experience. From live music performances to interactive art displays, the event promises a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
Moreover, the picturesque backdrop of Little Italy provides the perfect setting for attendees to immerse themselves in art while also exploring the local eateries and culture of the district.
What makes this event even more special is that all proceeds from the festival go towards supporting the arts education non-profit partner, ArtReach San Diego. So, not only do attendees get to enjoy a fantastic artistic experience, but they also contribute to a meaningful cause that enriches the community.
Fees and Costs
The application fee for individual artists is $25, which covers the processing and jurying of their application. Once accepted, artists will be responsible for booth costs, which vary depending on the desired booth size and location.
For East and West running blocks (Fir Street, Date Street, Cedar Street, and Beech Street), booth prices are as follows: $550 for a 10′ x 10′ space, $1050 for a 10′ x 20′ space, and $1600 for a 10′ x 30′ space. Premium pricing applies to spaces on India Street, with costs set at $725 for a 10′ x 10′ space, $1400 for a 10′ x 20′ space, and $2125 for a 10′ x 30′ space.
In addition to booth costs, artists must have liability insurance and list three entities on their policy: Art for People, the City of San Diego, and the Little Italy Association of San Diego. Artists can obtain insurance through ACT Insurance; the code “artwalk5” provides a $5 discount on their policy.
Furthermore, artists participating in the Mission Fed ArtWalk are expected to have a San Diego City Business License if they conduct business in the city for six or more days. Artists must also possess a California Seller’s Permit, file and pay California Sales and Use Tax, and follow all event safety requirements, non-smoking policies, and local and state laws.
Parking and Setup Logistics
The Mission Fed ArtWalk provides convenient access for artists during the setup process. Artists can set up their booths on Friday before or in the early hours of Saturday. The specific setup times for each artist block will depend on public street closures, which will be communicated to artists beforehand.
During load-in, artists can drive up directly to their space to unload their supplies and artwork. However, it’s important to note that all vehicles must be moved from the closed streets (India, Beech, Cedar, Date, and Fir) by 9 AM each morning of the event.
In terms of parking, Little Italy offers various options for artists. There are street parking spaces available throughout the area, but it is important to check for any parking restrictions or time limits. Additionally, there are several parking lots and garages near the event venue, providing convenient options for both artists and attendees.
The ArtWalk San Diego team strives to provide artists with detailed information about parking options in the area to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience during the event.
