2026 Dogwood Arts Festival

CALENDAR

December 1, 2025: Application Deadline [Application Fee: $35]
December 12, 2025: Artist Notification via Email 
January 31, 2026: Contracts & Booth Fees Due - Standard Booth Fee: $375 & Corner Booth Fee: $435
April 23, 2026: Exhibitor Setup 8AM-7PM
April 24, 2026: Festival 10AM-7PM
April 25, 2026: Festival 10AM-7PM
April 26, 2026: Festival 10AM-5PM [all artists must move out between 5:30PM-9PM on April 26th]

ARTWORK CATEGORIES

• 2D (Painting, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Digital Media)
• 3D (Glass, Clay, Wood, Metal, Sculpture, Jewelry, Fiber, Leather, Mixed Media)
• Other (Natural Product, Etc.)

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 2026 awards will total $2,000. 

SUBMISSION & DEADLINE

The Application is due December 1, 2025 at 11:59pm. Notifications will be emailed to all applicants on Friday, December 12th. Artists must submit the $375 booth fee by January 31, 2026. 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 13, 2026 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.

JURY DETAILS

• Average number of applications submitted each year: 275
• Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event: 100
• Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event: 2
• How images are viewed by jurors: Computer monitor
• Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by: Random Order
• Number of jurors scoring applications: 3
• The show organizes the jurors for a: Single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories
• Jurors score: Separately from various locations
• Am I allowed to observe the jury process? Jury process is closed

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 the Dogwood 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 be agreed upon by Dogwood Arts and the artist. When Artist’s images are used, that they will receive name/studio recognition. 

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
Prominent Regional & Local Marketing Campaigns (Media Value $125,000+)
Promotional Materials in All East Tennessee Visitor Centers (Spring Event Calendars & Visitor Guide Ads)
Easy Setup & Breakdown Locations
Accessible Downtown Parking Daily
Free Bottled Water Distributed Daily
Volunteer Boothsitters As Needed
Awards Totaling $2,000
15,000+ Annual Attendees 

The Dogwood Arts Festival has a long history of showcasing the diverse talents of our artistic community — including the performing arts! That's where you come in. From opera and ballet to musical theatre and cultural performances, this event is a unique opportunity for you to share your talents with the Knoxville community (15,000 estimated festival attendees in 2025). 

Event Schedule:

• Friday, April 24th: 10AM-7PM
• Satuday, April 25th: 10AM-7PM
• Sunday, April 26th: 10AM-5PM

Performances will be included in the Festival Guide, on-site signage, the Dogwood Arts website, and pre-event advertising. 

*Applications will be accepted through February 16, 2026 | Notifications will be sent out no later than March 3, 2026. If you have questions before filling out the interest form, please email info@dogwoodarts.com.

MOBILE FOOD VENDOR REQUIREMENTS

All Mobile Food Vending Units must provide a current copy of the City of Knoxville Mobile Food Unit permit with current inspection along with their application (if applicable for your business type). Food vendors with pre-packaged goods that do not require heating or cooking on-site do not require a Mobile Food Unit Permit. Food Vendor shall comply with all legal requirements established for Mobile Food Vendor operations as put forth by the City of Knoxville, Knox County, the health department, the Knoxville Fire Marshall, and the State of Tennessee. Dogwood Arts bears no responsibility or liability for non-compliance.

RATES & FEES

• If selected as a Mobile Food Vendor, the fee for participating is 15% of the total revenue sold during the event.
• Approved/selected vendors will receive an official agreement and will confirm acceptance by submitting that document along with a $150 security/damage deposit. (A sample agreement can be found in the Documents tab). This deposit is non-refundable but will apply to the total amount due at the end of the event if there are no damages to the vending site caused by Food Vendor’s activities during the event.

Food trucks must be available all three event days (April 24-26, 2026).

This application is for vendors who offer Children/Family Activities (face painting, balloons, caricatures, henna, photo booths, etc.), or are Plant Vendors interested in participating in the Dogwood Arts Festival.

This application is NOT for Artists/Makers, Food Vendors, Non-Profit Organizations or Performers. 

The Emerging Makers Tent at the Dogwood Arts Festival was developed to provide a supportive environment for makers to gain practical experience selling their artwork at a professional craft fair. The Emerging Makers Tent will be open on the final day of the 2026 Dogwood Arts Festival — Sunday, April 26th from 10AM-5PM.

Booth Fee: $30 (includes 8' table, black tablecloth, two chairs)

• You will only pay the $30 booth fee if juried into the event
• Required Set-Up Date: Sunday, April 26th between 8:00am - 9:30AM

Each maker will be given a 5ft (depth) x 10ft (length) space to display their work - an 8' table and 2 chairs will be provided. Any additional display structures must be provided by the artist and must fit within the provided booth space. Sufficient weights are required for vertical display stands. For any accessibility needs regarding your space, please indicate in your application.

*Please note: Due to scheduled construction on the World's Fair Park Amphitheater, all details are subject to change. 

Eligibility:

Emerging makers may be artists of any age or background who: 

• Are exhibiting at the Dogwood Arts Festival for the first time, and have not previously exhibited at art festivals of the same caliber as the Dogwood Arts Festival.
• Want to gain experience at a festival but are not yet able to commit to a full three-day event.
• Create and sell handmade, original artwork (such as painting, photography, pottery, candles, prints, stained glass, etc.). Original artwork only.   

Groups/artist collectives can apply with one application. If you have questions prior to filling out the application, please email Raina Nief (raina@dogwoodarts.com) or call (865) 637-4561.

The Maker Market at the Dogwood Arts Festival includes vendors selling natural products, paper goods/stickers, pet products/treats, clothing, pre-packaged food/drink, candles, etc. (edible items must be packaged for consumption off-site).

The Maker Market is open on the Saturday & Sunday of the 2026 Dogwood Arts Festival — Saturday, April 25th from 10AM-7PM and Sunday, April 26th from 10AM-5PM.

Booth Fee: $200 

• You will only pay the booth fee if juried into the event
• Required Set-Up Date: Sunday, April 26th between 8:00am - 9:30AM

*Please note: Due to scheduled construction on the World's Fair Park Amphitheater, all details are subject to change. 

Submission & Deadline: Applications are due Monday, February 16th, 2026 at 11:59pm. Notifications will be emailed to all applicants by Friday, February 27th, 2026. Makers must submit the $200 booth fee by March 13th, 2026. Specific information about check-in, set-up and the Dogwood Arts Festival will be sent 1-2 weeks prior to the event. 

Jury & Selection: Image quality is very important! Applications will be reviewed by the Dogwood Arts Festival committee. Acceptance information will not be given over the phone prior to written notifications.

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 participants may be used for archival, publicity, website, and confirmation purposes before, during, and after the Festival. When Artist’s images are used they will receive name/studio recognition.

Additional Amenities:

• Prominent Regional & Local Marketing Campaigns (Media Value $125,000+)
• Promotional Materials In All East Tennessee Visitor Centers
• Accessible Downtown Parking Daily
• Volunteer Booth-sitters As Needed
• 15,000+ Annual Attendees

 If you have questions prior to filling out the application, please email Raina Nief (raina@dogwoodarts.com) or call (865) 637-4561.

Please note: this registration form is for registered 501c(3) non-profit organizations only. This application is NOT for Artists/Makers, Food Vendors, Performers, or General Vendors. 

Booth Fee: $50 (you will only be charged if you are accepted into the event)

Festival Hours: Community Organizations will be set up on Saturday and Sunday only (can choose one day or both). 

• Saturday, April 25th: 10AM-7PM
• Sunday, April 26th: 10AM-5PM
   

BOOTH INFORMATION: Community Organizations must be set up between 7-9am on the day you choose to participate. You must be set up and have your car parked by 9:30am. Specifics regarding booth location will be provided at a later date. Community Organizations may not break down early on either day; booths must remain open until 7pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.

10' x 10' tents are required for most booth placements, and you must secure it with 50lbs of weight on each corner. If you do not have a 10'x10' tent, we can add one to our rental order for $350 for the weekend. Tables and chairs can also be rented for an additional cost.

SECURITY: We will have security guards on the footprint throughout the weekend and overnight, but ultimately, each community organization is responsible for their belongings. If you must leave your belongings on the footprint overnight (only for those who choose to participate both days), we strongly recommend that you cover all four sides of your tent.