Old Fourth Ward Fall Arts Festival 2026 -Artist Application
About the application
Held in which is considered to be the most up-and-coming neighborhood in Metro Atlanta, the Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival is a two-day celebration of community and tradition presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, for people of all ages, races, customs, and interests. The Festival is a major celebration of the arts while honoring the rich history of our community. At this festival, there is something for everyone: fine arts and crafts, a children's play area, local food and beverage concessions, and live acoustic entertainment. All this is within the environment of Atlanta's most lovely park and is part of the celebration of the Beltline redevelopment. Formerly, this area flanked "City Hall East," which is now under redevelopment as Ponce City Market by Jamestown Properties. This area is targeted as one of the prime examples of urban redevelopment and innovation, benefiting the surrounding communities.
Approximately 100 artists will participate in this annual event.
Festival Hours: Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
GENERAL INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES:
Accept applications: September 25, 2025
Application deadline: September 08, 2026
Jury dates: Rolling
Accept invitation & purchase deadline: September 15, 2026
Wait List Released: September 15, 2026 (or as deemed necessary by event/ category by category)
Event Dates: September 26-27, 2026
Load In- Friday, September 26, 2026 (7:30 AM -9:00 AM)
Late applications may be accepted at the discretion of the Director and included on the Wait List.
CATEGORIES
2-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography. The finished art is suitable for wall mounting.
3-D Mixed Media: Includes more than one type of physical material such as mosaic, papier mache, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or, any other 3-dimensional objects.
Ceramics: Original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku.
Digital Art: Two-dimensional works from which the original image is manipulated by the artist using a computer using programs such as Drawing, Illustrator, Paint, or, other software applications.
Drawing & Printmaking: Original drawings made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or, chalk. The printmaking process may include pulled plates, linoleum prints, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or, lithography. All prints must be signed and numbered by the artist. Photocopies are not permitted.
Fiber: Works created from fibers including basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, and quilting. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Glass: An object made of glass including blown, fused, stained, cast, and molded. The embellishment of manufactured materials is not permitted.
Handicraft: Handmade items made by the artist from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials transforming the combined materials into a unique product into a cohesive collection. A complete description of the items is required.
Jewelry: All Jewelry is crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials. Commercial molds or casts are not permitted. At least 50% of the organic materials in the finished product used must be produced by the artist.
Metal: Functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal.
Painting: The use of oils, acrylics, watercolors, and tempera suitable for hanging.
Photography: Prints, transparencies, or digital images made from the artist’s original negative or taken with a digital camera that has been processed by the artist.
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work is done in any individual medium.
Wood & Furniture: Original works in wood that are built, turned, carved, or tooled. Embellished manufactured wood items are not permitted.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- T-shirts and commercial clothing
- Posters
- Manufactured toys
- Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
- Jewelry is made from more than 50% manufactured components
- Any item that employs the use of commercially available molds or patterns
About the event
Terms & Conditions
To view AFFPS Event Policies for Artists:
1. The Festival provides only the ground space for exhibits. Each Exhibitor must provide and prepare his/her own displays. We require Exhibitors to use white top tents of EZ UP quality or higher. All tents must be weighted. NO STAKING ALLOWED. CLICK HERE for Tent & Weight Compliance. 2. Prior to the Festival, Exhibitors will be notified of their site location and detailed setup information. Plan to set up your booth on Friday before the Festival. (Please do not call for booth assignments they will be posted on Zapp once they have been completed.)
3. After unloading Exhibitor vehicles must be moved to designated parking. Vehicles will not be permitted to remain in the exhibition space during the Festival, nor may they enter the Festival grounds until approved by the Festival Committee.
4. Exhibitors shall be responsible for obtaining any required licenses, permits, and approvals under state laws applicable to his/her activity at the Festival and for paying any taxes, sales taxes, fees, or, other charges that may be applicable to any Exhibitor's activity at the Festival.
5. The Festival is a rain-or-shine event.
6. In the occurrence that the event has to be canceled, postponed, or suspend, as a result of a pandemic such as the COVID Pandemic of 2020. Credit for the upcoming show will be given and a Zapp code will be generated.
7. Submission by credit card is an acceptance of these terms and as such in the event that any dispute related to credit card charges will be binding under the terms of this agreement, additionally, the artist agrees to defend (accept) said charges and associated fees.
8. The Festival reserves the right to cancel an Exhibitor's contract. The Festival may require the Exhibitor to leave the Festival at any time if the Exhibitor is in violation of any rules and/or regulations stated herein.
9. Neither AFFPS nor its agents or representatives will be responsible for any injury, damage, or loss that may occur to the Exhibitor, the Exhibitor's agents or representatives, or his/her property from any cause whatsoever. Exhibitors should obtain, at their own expense, insurance against any loss, damage, or injury they may require.
10. All Artist Market merchandise must be original, handmade, and created by the Exhibitor. Reproductions must be clearly identified as such. Original art must occupy at least 50% of the artist's space. Browse bins may occupy only minimal space and must be aesthetically pleasing and not obstruct patron flow. All artwork on display must be for sale.
11. Artists may only show work in categories approved by the Jury.
12. Artists must be present and operational with their work for the duration of the Festival. No commercial agents, dealers, or, salespeople may operate an artist's booth. The maximum number of occupants per booth may not exceed two.
13. Only individual artists or two-person collaborative artists are permitted to submit an application. Applications received from artist groups will be returned or rejected.
14. Booth sharing among non-collaborating artists is not permitted. IDENTIFICATION: All Participating Artists are required to present Identification during check-in. Please have your driver's license on hand.WEIGHTS REQUIRED:
AFFPS requires professional weights, min. 45 lbs. - 50 lbs per/each on all tent legs.
Because we are set up in City Park settings - NO ONE is permitted to stake, tie to a tree, lamp post, etc.
As such we require that anyone participating come equipped with the minimum standards of weights for their tent.
Any Artist that arrives without weights will not be permitted to set up and as such will forfeit their participation fee.
ALLOWED Tube weights min. 45 lbs. for each tent leg.
Sand-bag weights min. 45 lbs. for each tent leg. (Must be contained in cloth bags) - IE: Gravity Tubes
Concrete-filled buckets min. 45 lbs. for each tent leg.
Stabilizer bars with sandbags.
Weight plates or dumbells min. 45 lbs. for each tent leg. NOT Permitted:
Grid panels only (no weights) weights are still required.
Stabilizer bars only (no weights)
Raw concrete blocks or bricks
Water containers (one-gallon water bottles)
Sand Bags (in plastic bags)A Parking Pass must be displayed on your dash and visible at all times while at the event.
This allows us the opportunity to communicate with you during the festival in the event we need to.
Please ensure that you have access to this email address as load-in and load-out instructions will be sent here as well as any special updates.All communications are sent via the Zapp system communication tool.
Please ensure that you have access to this email address as load-in and load-out instructions will be sent here as well as any special updates - before, during, and after the show.
No Packets will be mailed. Load-In will be sent via email prior to the event.
Load-Out Instructions will be sent via email (Prior to the event)WAIT-LIST A waitlist will be maintained. Selected waitlisted artists may be contacted when the Wait List is released one day prior to the event date.
NO SHOW POLICY
Artists who have not checked in and/or called the Festival Emergency Number (the number will be available in confirmation materials) by Friday at 7:00 p.m. will be considered a “no-show.” No Show artists are not eligible for refunds. Assigned space(s) will be forfeited to a wait-list artist.
RAIN OR SHINE
There will be no “rain date” and fees will not be refunded in the case of inclement weather. The event will take place rain or shine.
SALES TAX
Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Sales Taxes. Sales Tax reporting documents are provided to participating artists at check-in at the event. The current Sales Tax rate for this event is 8% (Georgia 4%, Fulton County 3%, City of Atlanta 1%).
Prices
| Application fees | $30.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | There is a $30 non-refundable application fee which is charged upon application. |
| 10x10 Booth | $300.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | Single booth space is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep. |
| 10x20 Booth | $600.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | |
| Corner Booth | $100.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable | |
| Electrical Outlet | $100.00 (+ tax and fees) | Non-refundable |
Questions on the application
Business information
- Business name
- Legal business name
- Contact name
- Address
- Phone
- Website
- Logo (Optional)
Additional information
- Please describe your work.
- Please choose your medium category:
- What are your prices?
- Artist Description.
- I certify that my work is not "Buy-Sell" or Production work and completely made by me.
- By signing your name, you agree to our terms and conditions.
Picture requirements
- Minimum pictures required: 5
