--- title: Gold Coast Art Fair 2027 description: 69th Gold Coast Art Fair in Chicago's Grant Park for ~250 artists; booths from $775; apply via Zapplication by Jan 18, 2027. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/0d379bf4-cfb2-41d4-bd92-473f12b8b511 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Festival/fair organization: Amdur Productions organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/amdur-productions deadline: "2027-01-18" entryFee: 35 USD location: Grant Park, Chicago, IL, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: Artists keep all their sales income from the show; awards are bestowed at the festival. --- # Gold Coast Art Fair 2027 **Hosted by:** Amdur Productions **Type:** Festival/fair | **Location:** Grant Park, Chicago, IL, United States | **Deadline:** January 18, 2027 | **Entry fee:** $35 ## About This Program ### Summary The "Granddaddy of American Art Festivals," the 69th Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park! The Gold Coast Art Fair is the 3rd oldest and one of the most well attended art fests in Chicago. Located within walking distance of the Art Institute, The Bean and Buckingham Fountain, Gold Coast Art Fair draws thousands of art enthusiasts from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs due to its heavy advertising program and reputation. Gold Coast Art Fair features about 250 artists in a lovely setting with both lake views and park vistas backed by the Chicago skyline. Paved walks lead to every booth and every artist is on the main loop. A special Artist VIP tent provides backup support. Discounted parking is available to artists (fee). Set up is dolly in, but most distances are short. This show loads in the day before the festival. Security is on site from load in through load out. ### General information - Artisans welcome to apply - Artist Sales: Artists keep all their sales income from the show. - Exhibitor Spaces: About 250 spaces - Staff Support: Amdur Productions staff is present on site throughout the entire festival to assist artists from load in to load out. - Load-in: Set up is the Friday before the show or Saturday morning of the show. This is a dolly in show. - Booth Sitting: Amdur Productions staff is available to booth sit for artists throughout the entire festival - Artist Parking: Amdur Productions gives their best effort to provide close parking at discounted rates. - Equipment Rental: Tents, tent weights, tables and chairs available for rent (fee). Fees apply. - ProPanel Rental: Limited "pro-panel" walls available for artists, first come/first served, quantity limited. Fees apply. - Valet Service: An Amdur Productions staff member will help load a motorized cart and valet your belongings to your booth for you. Fees apply. - Hotel Rooms: Amdur Productions works to provide discounts at local hotels for each festival. - Break Room: An artist break room/area provides refreshments throughout the festival for artists. - Awards: Bestowed at the festival. - Marketing: A large multi-layered marketing plan supports this show with digital and print advertisements, on radio, posters, street banners, social media, and through direct mail postcards. - Security: Over-night security is provided. ### Important dates and deadlines - Through November 30, 2026: Early Bird Application Promo - January 18, 2027: Application due - February 18, 2027: Notifications of festival status online - February 19, 2027 and Thereafter: Late applications accepted - March 18, 2027: Registration forms and show fees due (in full or half) - March 19, 2027 and Thereafter: Late payments apply, $20 per festival - April 1, 2027: Last day for refunds (less $50) ### Rules and regulations - All artwork submitted to jury, displayed and presented for sale at festivals must be created, designed and made or made under the direct supervision of the accepted artist(s). All artwork shown must be for sale. - An artist may apply in more than one category, but not twice in the same category. - Jewelry created through fabrication and casting is allowed if the original casts are made by the artist. No commercial casts/molds allowed in production. - Photography/Digital art: Original work made by the hands of the photographer is allowed. All printing of images must be done by the photographer or under their supervision. - Art collaborators (up to two artists in total) producing a single body of work qualify as an exhibitor. A collaborator is not an employee or helper. - No work made solely by apprentices or employees is allowed. All artwork must be made in the country the artist resides in. - Buy/sell items are strictly prohibited from all or part of an artist's booth. - Multiples: Limited editions in which the artist hand manipulates plates, stones, or screens numbered and signed in editions up to 500 are allowed. Mechanical reproductions ("giclee" and "iris" prints) must be signed and numbered (up to 500) and may be displayed on up to 10 linear feet of a booth. - AI art is permitted when clearly identified as AI created art, and the "author" artist applying must be the one present at the festival if selected. - Accepted artists must be present during all festival hours. - White tents are required, and all tables must be skirted to the ground. ### Booth information and fees - 12' Wide by 10' Deep Exhibit Space Fee: $775 (includes permit fee) - 20' Wide by 10' Deep Exhibit Space Fee: $1,475 (includes permit fee) - Corner Fee Upgrade: Additional $200 - Only one artist's work or the work of two approved collaborating artists may be displayed per booth. - Double and corner spaces may be requested but are not guaranteed and are awarded at the sole discretion of the Festival Committee. - All canopies are required to be white, able to withstand winds and rain, and properly weighted — at least 50 pounds per leg, connected with rope or straps, not bungee cords. ### Refund and cancellation policy Application fees are non-refundable. If an artist cancels a show on or before April 1, 2027, they will be given a refund for the amount paid toward the booth, less a $50 processing fee. No refunds after April 1, 2027. Artists who cancel after that date can transfer the amount paid toward their booth to another 2027 Amdur Productions festival for a $125 transfer fee. ### Jury details - Average number of applications submitted each year: 300 - Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate: 200 - Average number exempt from jury (invited): 20 - Images are viewed by jurors on a computer monitor and scored on a 1-7 scale by a single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories, separately from various locations. - The jury process is closed. - A wait list is selected from the jury's scores in each category; wait listed artists are invited into the show as cancellations occur. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Disciplines:** All disciplines - **Note:** All artwork submitted to jury, displayed and presented for sale at festivals must be created, designed and made or made under the direct supervision of the accepted artist(s). All artwork shown must be for sale and must be made in the country the artist resides in. Buy/sell items are strictly prohibited. Art collaborators, up to two artists total producing a single body of work, qualify as an exhibitor, but a collaborator is not an employee or helper. Accepted artists must be present during all festival hours. ### Additional Requirements - 5 images, including a required booth shot - Up to 2 applications may be submitted for this show ## Compensation & Benefits Artists keep all their sales income from the show; awards are bestowed at the festival. **Includes:** Prize ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 24, 2026 - **Deadline:** January 18, 2027 ## Contact **Contact:** Alexis **Email:** Alexis@AmdurProductions.com **Phone:** 847-926-4300 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=15008