Young Artist Applications Now Open - Apply by July 1

Apply to be a 2026 Young Artist

Young artists (ages 7–18) are invited to showcase their work at the Downtown Festival & Art Show in the Young Artist Courtyard on November 14–15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This program highlights young and aspiring artists and provides an opportunity to exhibit and sell original work in a professional festival setting.

Festival Requirements
Application & Acceptance

1. Applications must be submitted by August 1.
2. Artists must be present for the full duration of the festival (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday). Work must be exhibited on both days.  A parent or guardian must be present at all times.
3. The booth fee is $13. Artists will be provided a table and 2 chairs. Artists should provide their own tent.
4. Acceptance is a commitment to show. Booth fees are non-refundable.
5. Booth spaces will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. A packet with booth assignments and setup details will be emailed by October 31.

Booth Requirements

1. Check-in and setup take place Saturday from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Artists must check in at the information booth with a parent or guardian and provide photo ID before setup. Failure to check in will result in forfeiture of the booth.
2. All work must be original and created by the exhibiting artist. Collaborative work must include all artists’ names in the application.
3. Work must be for sale, clearly priced, and sold on a cash-and-carry basis. Items for later delivery are not permitted.
4. The following items are not eligible: animals or fish, candles, work made from commercial molds, kits or patterns (including velvet painting, kit jewelry, pre-fabricated ceramics), and items featuring licensed or copyrighted characters or names. The Festival Committee reserves the right to prohibit any work deemed unacceptable.
5. All work, displays, and personal items (including chairs) must remain within the assigned booth space. Artists are responsible for keeping their area clean during and after the event.
6. The official booth card with the artist’s name and space number must be displayed at all times.

Guidelines

1. Vehicles are not permitted in the show area after 9:00 a.m. Saturday. The streets will remain closed overnight and will re-open to vehicular traffic at 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Booths must be packed and out of the Festival area on Sunday by 8:00 p.m.
2. Overnight security will be on site Saturday night. Artists, at their discretion, will be allowed to leave exhibitor displays on the street overnight on Saturday. The City of Gainesville is not liable for any loss and/or damage.
3. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Florida sales tax.
4. Artists, families, and guests are expected to be polite, considerate, and professional. Violations may result in immediate removal from the festival.
5. The festival is completely outdoors. The festival organizers and participants accept the risk that poor weather may occur. No partial refunds will be granted due to postponement or early closure due to rain/weather.
6. The Show Committee reserves the right to make a final interpretation of the rules.

​Application deadline: August 1, 2026

See below for a draft of the 2026 map: