The Art Festival Glossary for Emerging Artists
Navigating the world of art fairs and festivals can be overwhelming for new artists. This glossary is designed to demystify commonly used terminology and processes, helping you confidently prepare for and succeed at art shows.
Select a category on the left to view its terminology.
Application & Jury Process
Jury/Juried Show: A show, fair, festival, event, or exhibition, where a group of art professionals, curators, academics, or artists review and score all the applications and select the artists who will participate. It’s often an indicator of a professional art show.
Non-Juried Show/Market: A show, market, or event where there’s no formal selection process by a jury panel. Artists who apply and meet the show’s requirements are often invited to participate. These can be a great starting point for artists to gain experience at an event and test their artwork.
Artist Profile: This profile is for someone who creates handmade works of art, such as ceramics, fiber, jewelry, painting, woodwork, etc., and wants to sell their work at events.
Non-Artist Vendor Profile: This profile is for someone who sells food, apparel, or other merchandise, or someone who staffs event booths on behalf of a government, nonprofit organization, or sponsor.
Application Status: Event organizers can change the status of your application in ZAPP, depending on where they are in the jury and confirmation process. Below are the definitions of the most-used statuses. Find definitions for all the application status in our Help Center.
Received: You successfully submitted your application, and the event has received it.
Jury in Progress: The jury process has started, and applications are being scored.
Invited: The event has invited you to participate.
Not Invited: The event has not invited you to participate.
Waitlist: You’re on standby for an invitation should a booth space become available.
Accepted: You have accepted the event’s invitation to participate.
Confirmed: You have purchased a booth and/or confirmed your intent to participate in the event.
Declined: You have declined the event’s invitation to participate.
Blind Jury: A jury process where the reviewers only see your art, not your name or other identifying information. It’s usually used to make the selection process as fair as possible.
Rolling Jury: A jury process where the jury reviews applications as they are submitted, rather than all at once after the application deadline.
Application Deadline: The final date to submit your application.
Purchase Deadline: The final date to pay your booth fee to secure your spot, if you’re invited into the show.
Artist Statement / Statement of Technique: A brief, clear description of your artwork. While sometimes used interchangeably, an artist statement typically explains your inspiration, themes, or concept, while a statement of technique focuses on the materials and process you use.
Booth Shot: A photo of your actual booth setup. This is an important part of your application because it helps the jury see how your work looks and will be displayed. Contact the event for guidance if you don’t yet have a booth display.
Placeholder Image: A picture of your artwork that you can use instead of a booth shot if you’re a new artist who has never done a show or set up a booth display.
Body of Work: A cohesive collection of pieces that shows consistency in your style, medium, or theme. This demonstrates that you have a clear artistic direction and likely have enough inventory to fill a booth.
Booth Setup & Logistics
Standard Booth: A booth at a festival or fair, typically a 10’ x10’ space.
Double Booth: A larger booth, typically a 10’ x 20’ space, or two standard booths combined.
Corner Booth: A standard or double booth placed at the end of a row of booths. This booth type is desirable because it is placed at the intersection of two rows, often offering more visibility and the potential for higher foot traffic.
Canopy: A portable tent you’ll use to protect your art from the elements. Most artists use a standard 10×10-foot professional art fair canopy, stable enough to withstand weather events.
Tent Weights: Heavy weights that are often required to secure your canopy to the ground and prevent it from flying away or toppling in high winds. They are a crucial safety requirement at almost all art events.
Pro Panels/Display Walls: Modular, lightweight walls or panels specifically designed to display artwork in a booth. They’re a professional-looking and durable alternative to hanging work directly on your canopy.
Electric Access: An option you can purchase or request from the event that gives you a power outlet in or near your booth for lighting or other equipment. Electricity options vary from show to show and may sometimes be limited or unavailable.
Booth Number: The unique number assigned to your specific location at the event. You and the event’s patrons will use this to find your spot on the show map.
Load-In/Load Out: The process of moving your art and booth setup into the event space, and then taking it all out at the end of the show. You’ll be given specific procedures and a schedule for these times.
Booth Sitter: A volunteer or show staff member who can watch your booth for a short time so you can take a break or temporarily leave your booth during the show.
Fees, Rules & Policies
Jury/Application Fee: Jury fee and application fee are often used interchangeably. They are the fee you pay to submit your work and have your application evaluated and/or juried. The amount ranges depending on the event and is typically non-refundable.
Booth Fees: The booth fee is what you pay to reserve the booth space at the event. Some events will charge different amounts for different-sized booths or premium locations.
Electric or Canopy Fees: The fees you pay to have a booth space with access to electricity or to rent canopy equipment directly from the event.
Artist/Participation Contract: The agreement you sign with the event organizer that outlines the rules, fees, and responsibilities for both you and the festival.
Reproductions: Copies of original art that can be duplicated and sold multiple times. They can be printed on paper, canvas, or other materials. Some shows may prohibit reproductions or limit the number of reproductions that an artist may sell at the event.
Bin Rules: Many shows require photographers or printmakers to keep reproductions in a flat file or display bin, and they often have rules about what kind of bins can be used and how many pieces you can have in them.
Fine Art vs. Fine Crafts: A fine art piece is typically one-of-a-kind and decorative (like a painting). A fine craft piece is one-of-a-kind and functional (like a handcrafted ceramic mug). Both are usually welcome at art fairs, but be sure to check the show’s specific rules and requirements.
Sales Tax Nexus: The threshold of sales activity or presence in a state that obligates you to collect and remit sales tax. You will need to check the specific sales tax requirements of the state where the event is located.
Buy/Sell: A common term that refers to the resale of artwork and items made, in part or whole, by someone else. Most fine art shows require the exhibiting artist to create and sell their own original work.
Imports: Items made by someone else in another country. Most fine art shows prohibit imported items.
Kits: Artwork or items assembled from a pre-made kit of materials. Most fine art shows do not allow items made using kits.
Mass-Produced Work: Items created in a production studio or commercial operation. Most fine art shows do not allow mass-produced items.
Rain or Shine Policy: If a show has a rain or shine policy, it will operate regardless of the weather. In these cases, you should always be prepared for rain and wind and have a sturdy canopy with weights.
Refund Policy: The set of conditions under which you can get a refund for your jury or booth fees. Most jury fees are non-refundable, and every event has a different policy for whether booth fees are refundable and in what timeframe.
Code of Conduct: A set of rules that outlines the behavior expected of all artists at the event, from how you interact with customers to your professional ethics.
Programs, Support & Opportunities
Emerging Artist: An artist just starting to get professional experience selling their work, or new to selling their work specifically at art fairs and festivals.
Emerging Artist Programs: Special programs or dedicated booth spaces that some shows offer to help new artists get started. These programs typically include reduced fees, mentorship, and education opportunities.
Mentors: Experienced artists who volunteer to advise new artists. They are often part of an emerging artist program.
Grant Funding: Financial assistance offered by some shows to help emerging artists cover the costs of participating.
Session Requirements: The number of studio sessions, educational classes, or workshops an artist must attend to participate in the emerging artist program.
Recognition & Awards
Best of Show: The top prize or award given to the highest-scoring artist during at-festival jurying.
Judge’s/Juror’s Choice: The top artist selected by the festival’s jury panel. Highlights artwork that resonated with the judges.
People’s Choice: The top artist selected by the festival attendees. Reflects popular opinion and audience engagement.
Poster Artist: An artist whose work is selected to be featured on the event’s official poster, program, website, and/or merchandise. It is typically a big honor to be chosen and can increase exposure to the artist’s work.
Roles & Relationships
Event Promoter: A person, organization, or company that produces events in different locations each year.
Event Organizer: An organization or company that plans and produces an art festival, fair, craft show, or any other type of event.
Show Director: The person responsible for the creative and operational execution of the show itself. They manage the on-site details, such as booth layout, artist placement, and the flow of attendees, to ensure the event’s vision is realized.
Juror/Jury Panel: Individual art professionals (artists, gallerists, curators) who review and score the applications and decide which artists get into the show.
Adjudicator/Judge: Individuals who judge the artwork during the festival to decide who wins awards. These are also often referred to as “jurors.”
Collaborator: A person or team of people who directly collaborates with an artist to create their work. Collaborators are often seen as equal creators.
Associate: A person, such as a business partner or mentee, who assists the artist or business. Associates are generally not allowed to show the work independently from the artist.
Demo Artist: An artist who demonstrates their process in their booth to show customers how they create artwork.
