June 4 & 5 
Columbia, Missouri
Stephens Lake Park
Presented by: Columbia Art League
Sat. 10am-7pm; Sun. 11am-5pm
110 artists
Deadline: February 5
Application Fee: $30; Booth Fee: $210-$290
Art in the Park heralds the start of summer in Columbia, MO, an arts-focused college town, home to the University of Missouri and the recipient of the Missouri Arts Council's first ever Creative Community Award.
The festival has been organized since its inception in the 1950's by the Columbia Art League, a 501(c)3 organization. Art in the Park welcomes 110 artists each year from across the country, and attracts 10-12,000 visitors over the 2-day event.
Columbia is easily accessible from I70 (east/west) and St. Hwy. 63 (north/south). The festival grounds are just to the east of the downtown area with ample visitor parking provided courtesy of the adjacent Boone hospital. Visitor shuttle buses are also provided.
Although the park has space for many more artists, the festival is capped at 110 artists to better serve those participating artists. Local marketing promotes heavily the fat that this is a buying opportunity for all visitors, especially art patrons.
In support of the main event Art in the Park includes children's entertainment, a small acoustic stage, a children's art area, an Emerging Artist Pavilion showing work by local high school and undergraduate students, a Young Collector's Tent, art installations and a food court.
Marketing Plan:
We believe marketing is the cornerstone of a successful festival and we work hard to get the message out to as many people as possible. Our key message is always 'BUY ART!' Here's some of what we did for the 2015 festival:
- color ads in Missouri Life Magazine, Columbia Business Times, Missourian newspaper, Jefferson City News
- radio advertising on local NPR affiliate and commercial stations
- Daily TV commercials
- 2 billboards on I-70
- yard signs, posters & postcards throughout the region
- all the social media!
Testimonials:
Just wanted to let you know that I have never been treated better than at your event! Everyone was so gracious and welcoming and super helpful... I had a lovely time and a great show! I love Columbia, what a lovely place... I hope to be a part of the festival again.
From load-in to load-out, your Volunteer Cast of Thousands were there ...They did so, cheerfully, and thanked the artists for being there ... an incomparable class act. But there is more. You and your amazing volunteers have created something intangible-a spirit of good will, camaraderie, and appreciation for art among and between artists and patrons. This is the serendipity of Art in the Park. I loved being part of it.
In February 2015, festival organizer, the Columbia Art League was recognized by the Missouri Arts Council as the Arts Organization of the Year for the State of Missouri.
Apply: www.Zapplication.org
Learn more: www.ArtinTheParkColumbia.org
Contact: Diana Moxon, diana@columbiaartleague.org, (573)443-8838
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Find more art fairs looking for you: www.CallsforArtists.com
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