Artist Application

Big Gay Holiday Market
Vendor Terms & Conditions
Hosted by Seed Theatre | Chattanooga, Tennessee

By submitting an application, accepting a vendor space, or participating in the Big Gay Holiday Market, vendors acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. Vendor Application & Approval
The Big Gay Holiday Market is a curated event. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance or participation. Seed Theatre reserves the right, in its sole discretion and subject to applicable law, to approve, deny, or revoke vendor participation based on merchandise, business practices, event suitability, space limitations, safety considerations, or alignment with the mission and values of Seed Theatre.

Vendor spaces are not guaranteed until the application has been approved and payment has been received.

2. Payment & No Refund Policy
ALL VENDOR FEES ARE FINAL AND NONREFUNDABLE.

Once payment has been submitted, vendor fees will not be refunded for any reason, including but not limited to:

Vendor cancellation, scheduling conflicts, illness, or inability to attend.
Failure to obtain required permits, licenses, or insurance.
Failure to comply with event rules or vendor requirements.
Removal or dismissal due to violations of these Terms & Conditions.
Inclement weather or other circumstances outside the organizer's reasonable control.
If Seed Theatre cancels the event entirely, it will communicate available options to vendors, subject to applicable law and any separate written cancellation policy.

3. Prohibition of AI-Generated Artwork & Merchandise
The Big Gay Holiday Market does not permit the sale or display of AI-generated artwork or merchandise featuring AI-generated creative content. This includes, but is not limited to:

Images, illustrations, graphics, and designs generated substantially or entirely through generative artificial intelligence.
AI-generated artwork reproduced on prints, stickers, apparel, buttons, accessories, or other merchandise.
AI-generated writing, books, or creative products marketed as original human-created works.
Products incorporating AI-generated artwork without meaningful original human creative contribution.

Seed Theatre is committed to supporting human artists, independent creators, and ethical creative practices.

Seed Theatre reserves the right to request information regarding the origin or creation of merchandise and to reject or remove products reasonably determined to violate this policy. Vendors found violating this policy may be removed from the event without refund.

4. Merchandise Standards & Community Values
The Big Gay Holiday Market celebrates LGBTQ+ communities, independent creativity, diversity, equity, accessibility, and social justice. Seed Theatre reserves the right to reject vendors or prohibit the display or sale of merchandise that conflicts with the event's purpose, values, or community standards.

Prohibited or restricted content includes, but is not limited to:

Racist, antisemitic, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, ableist, xenophobic, or otherwise discriminatory messaging.
Merchandise promoting hate groups, white supremacy, fascism, or violence against marginalized communities.
Products containing threatening, harassing, or dehumanizing imagery or language.
Counterfeit merchandise, unauthorized reproductions, or products infringing intellectual property rights.
Products that present unreasonable safety concerns or violate applicable laws.
Merchandise materially misrepresented during the application process.
Political, activist, alternative, queer, provocative, and countercultural artwork is welcome. Seed Theatre recognizes the importance of artistic expression, protest, satire, and challenging oppressive systems.

Our content standards are intended to protect marginalized communities, not silence artistic expression or social criticism.

Seed Theatre may require the removal of individual items or, when necessary, terminate vendor participation without refund for violations of these standards.

5. Vendor Conduct & Community Safety
All vendors, staff, volunteers, and representatives are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and accessible event. Vendors agree to:

Treat attendees, fellow vendors, volunteers, and organizers with respect.
Refrain from harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats, or aggressive behavior.
Respect attendees' names, pronouns, identities, and accessibility needs.
Follow reasonable instructions from event staff regarding safety, accessibility, and event operations.
Maintain a professional and cooperative environment.
Seed Theatre maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, threats, and discriminatory conduct.

Violations may result in immediate removal without refund.

6. Booth Assignments & Setup
Vendor spaces are assigned by Seed Theatre based on logistical needs, merchandise categories, accessibility, and overall event layout.

Seed Theatre reserves the right to modify booth assignments as necessary.

Vendors are responsible for their own displays, equipment, merchandise, staffing, and any supplies not expressly included in their booth reservation. (you need your own tables, tents, chairs, etc) 

Vendors must remain within their assigned spaces and may not obstruct walkways, entrances, emergency exits, or accessible routes.

Vendors must comply with published setup, operating, and breakdown schedules. Early departure requires prior approval from event management.

7. Approved Merchandise & Resale
Vendors may sell only the types of merchandise disclosed and approved in their applications.

Resellers, mass-produced merchandise, and commercially sourced products may be permitted only with prior approval.

Seed Theatre reserves the right to request removal of merchandise not disclosed in the application or inconsistent with the event's curated standards. Sharing, transferring, or subleasing booth space without written approval is prohibited.

8. Weather, Emergencies & Event Changes
The Big Gay Holiday Market is intended to operate rain or shine, subject to venue conditions and public safety.

Seed Theatre reserves the right to adjust event hours, layout, location, or operations when reasonably necessary due to weather, emergencies, venue restrictions, or circumstances beyond its control.

In the event of postponement or cancellation, Seed Theatre will communicate next steps as promptly as reasonably possible.

Refunds or credits, if any, will be governed by the event's published cancellation policy and applicable law.

9. Licensing, Taxes & Legal Compliance
Vendors are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining any licenses, permits, insurance, or approvals required for their business activities.

Vendors are responsible for collecting, reporting, and remitting applicable sales taxes.

Food vendors must comply with applicable health department requirements and food safety regulations.

All merchandise and business activities must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

10. Liability & Responsibility
Vendors participate at their own risk and are responsible for the safety and security of their merchandise, equipment, displays, and personal property.

To the extent permitted by law, Seed Theatre, its officers, staff, volunteers, partners, and venue representatives are not responsible for loss, theft, damage, or injury arising from vendor participation, except to the extent caused by their own negligence, willful misconduct, or other liability that cannot legally be excluded.

Vendors are responsible for damage or injury caused by their own negligence, misconduct, products, or equipment.

11. Photography & Promotional Use
Vendors acknowledge that photography and video recording may occur during the event.

By participating, vendors grant Seed Theatre permission to use photographs and recordings of their booths, displays, and merchandise for reasonable event documentation, marketing, and nonprofit promotional purposes, without additional compensation.

12. Enforcement & Final Decisions
Seed Theatre reserves the right to enforce these policies, require removal of prohibited merchandise, deny participation, or remove vendors whose conduct or products violate these Terms & Conditions.

Decisions will be made in good faith, consistent with the event's mission, community safety, and applicable law.

Removal for vendor violations does not entitle the vendor to a refund.

Vendor Acknowledgment

By submitting an application and/or payment, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the Big Gay Holiday Market Vendor Terms & Conditions.

I understand that all vendor fees are nonrefundable, that AI-generated artwork and merchandise are prohibited, and that Seed Theatre retains the right to deny or terminate participation based on violations of event policies, merchandise standards, or community safety expectations.

Seed reserves the right to deny any application (and refund fees) to vendors not selected for this market