Emerging Artist Program

READY TO TAKE YOUR ART TO THE FESTIVAL?

If you’re a Mid-South artist with little or no experience exhibiting and selling your work, the RiverArtsFest Emerging Artist Program was created for you.

The Emerging Artist Program gives talented local artists the opportunity to experience a nationally recognized fine arts festival from the inside—exhibiting and selling their original work alongside professional artists from across the country.

Selected artists receive a free booth, mentorship and hands-on preparation for the festival.

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED UNTIL 2027 

  • The RiverArtsFest Emerging Artist Program helps talented Mid-South artists gain the experience and confidence to exhibit and sell their work at a juried fine arts festival.

    Selected artists participate in RiverArtsFest alongside professional artists from across the country, gaining firsthand experience in presenting, pricing and selling their work to festivalgoers.

    The program is designed to help emerging artists take the next step toward exhibiting their work professionally.

  • If you’ve ever considered selling your original work at a fine arts festival, this is your chance to experience firsthand what it takes.

    Selected Emerging Artists receive free festival entry and a 10' x 10' booth space, exposure to thousands of festivalgoers and the opportunity to sell their work.

    Each artist is also paired with a seasoned festival artist as a mentor for guidance and support and participates in a preparatory workshop provided by RiverArtsFest.

  • Applicants must meet the following basic eligibility requirements. Complete requirements are provided in the application.

    • Live full-time in Shelby County or an adjoining county

    • Have little to no experience exhibiting or selling your work, including no gallery representation or prior participation in a juried festival of RiverArtsFest's caliber

    • Be at least 18 years old (exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis)

    • Be a working visual artist creating your own original work—not based on another artist’s work

    • Not working under the direction of an instructor

    RiverArtsFest reserves the right to verify an applicant's eligibility for the Emerging Artist Program, including prior experience exhibiting and selling their work.

  • Emerging Artist applicants participate in the same blind-jury process as artists applying to the general Artist Market. Jurors evaluate the work without seeing the artist's name or other identifying information.

    You'll submit five recent work samples in the same medium, along with an Artist Statement describing your work, inspiration and artistic direction.

    To preserve the blind-jury process, identifying information should not appear in submitted images, file names, metadata or signatures.

    Complete requirements and submission instructions are provided in the application.

    All applications are submitted through Zapp each year from February 1 through May 31.

2026 Emerging Artists

  • Kiki Angkratok | 2026

  • Bobby Anderson | 2026

  • Chavela Racine | 2026

Meet the artists