Established in 1961, the Dogwood Arts Festival is one of the most celebrated cultural events in Knoxville! The festival is held at World’s Fair Park in Knoxville, TN and features over 100 fine art vendors, live music, entertainment, children's activities, food & beverage vendors, and more.
100 Artists will be selected by an internal jury to participate this year! The Dogwood Arts staff, Festival Committee, and community volunteers are committed to ensuring the quality and diversity of artwork showcased at the festival while providing participating artists an ideal setting to engage with potential patrons. Established and emerging artists working in all mediums are invited to apply.
The festival is produced by Dogwood Arts, a (501c3) organization that promotes and celebrates the art, culture, and natural beauty of East Tennessee. We have a 67-year history of arts advocacy, environmental stewardship, and economic impact in East Tennessee. The Festival is one of 20+ year-round programs and events that help make Knoxville a great place to live, work, and play!
Festival Hours:
ARTWORK CATEGORIES
AWARDS
Artists are eligible for several cash awards during the Dogwood Arts Festival including Best of Show, People's Choice, and Artist Awards. Booths will be evaluated Friday and awards will be announced on Saturday as soon as the judging is complete. Our 2024 awards will total $2,000.
SUBMISSION & DEADLINE
Applications are due Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11:59pm. Notifications and contracts will be emailed to all applicants by Friday, December 15th. Artists must submit the contract and $375 booth fee by January 31, 2024. Specific information about check-in, set-up and the Dogwood Arts Festival will be sent 2-3 weeks prior to the event. Participating exhibitors canceling after February 28, 2024 will not receive a refund for their booth fee.
JURY & SELECTION
Image quality is very important! Applications will be reviewed by an internal jury and Dogwood Arts Festival representatives. Along with the selected participants, a waiting list will be established in case of cancellation. Replacements will be made at the discretion of Dogwood Arts. Acceptance information will not be given over the phone prior to written notifications.
ACCEPTANCE POLICY
Participating Artists may only display work in the artwork categories in which they are accepted. The work must be comparable to that shown in the submitted images. It is Dogwood Arts’ exclusive right and responsibility to remove work that is inconsistent or deviates from the style or quality of the submitted images or is otherwise not in compliance with the rules In any dispute over Dogwood Arts policies the decision of the Dogwood Arts Festival Committee shall prevail. Artists must be present on-site during open hours of the Festival. Assistants are permitted; however, they may not take the place of the artist at theDogwood Arts Festival. Exhibitors may not ‘sublet’ their booth space to any non-collaborating artist.
OUTDOOR ELEMENTS
Spending a few days selling artwork at our festival sounds ideal, but when the weather isn’t cooperating with outdoor plans, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to stay as safe and comfortable as possible. Safety is our number one priority. Artists are to use their own judgment regarding inclement weather and personal safety. There is no refund of fees for bad weather. The Dogwood Arts Festival goes on rain or shine.
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION
Images of participating artists may be used for archival, publicity, website, and confirmation purposes before, during, and after the Festival. Use will beagreed upon by Dogwood Arts and the artist. When Artist’s images are used they will receive name/studio recognition.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
GUIDELINES
The Dogwood Arts Festival is open to all artists within the accepted medium categories. Participation in any previous Dogwood Arts event does not guarantee acceptance!
By submitting the application, the Artist agrees that they have direct, hands-on involvement with the creation and execution of each piece of work to be exhibited. Collaborating artists may show only their collaborative works – both names should appear on the application. (Collaboration here means artistic, not business collaboration).
REPRODUCTION POLICY
In an attempt to foster an appreciation for and value of the arts for everyone, including those that cannot afford original work, we believe it is important to offer the public the chance to buy reproductions, hoping that they will move on to original work when possible. This transition is possible only if our patrons understand what they are buying.
Reproductions are an ancillary part of the display and should not exceed 40% of work shown. All reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled assuch. No other terms such as ‘print’, ‘off set lithograph’ or ‘giclee’ may be used. Labels must say ‘Reproduction’, framed or unframed. No hand-coloredreproductions will be considered ‘original’ works. Violation of the spirit, as well as the letter of the policy will be asked to remove their reproductions.
BOOTH INFORMATION
Artists must set up on Thursday, April 27th between 8am - 7pm. You will not be able to set up Friday morning. Specifics of tent location and set-up time will be provided after acceptance. Artists may not break down early on Sunday; booths must remain open until 5pm.
Our booth fee is $375. Limited corner booths are available for an additional $60 and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Corner booths will receive placement priority. Artists must have a white tent and 50lb weights for each tent leg to withstand high wind conditions . If you do not have a 10'x10' white tent, one may be rented through All Occasions Party Rentals for $350 for the weekend. Artist tents will be on a grassy lawn.
JURY DETAILS
