About This Call
The 9th Annual Printer's Row Art Fest takes place in Chicago's South Loop on Dearborn Street, from Harrison Street to Polk Street. This urban art festival showcases the creativity and culture of the diverse South Loop community alongside Printer's Row Park. Painters, street artists, jewelers, up-cycling artists, artisans, photographers, mixed media artists and more are invited to apply. Art at all price points is welcome.
The festival features approximately 100 exhibitor spaces. Artists keep all sales income from the show. Load-in is available Friday evening and Saturday morning, with vehicle access near booth spaces. Amdur Productions staff provides support throughout the festival, including booth sitting services. Equipment rental (tents, tent weights, tables, chairs) and limited pro-panel wall rentals are available for additional fees. Overnight security is provided, and discounted hotel rooms are available. Awards are bestowed at the festival. A comprehensive marketing plan supports the show through newspaper ads, radio, posters, street banners, social media, and direct mail.
General Information
- Urban show
- Contemporary themes do well
- Artist Sales: artists keep all their sales income from the show
- Exhibitor Spaces: about 100 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: Friday evening and Saturday morning load-in available; artists will be able to drive up to or very close to their booth space
- Artist Parking: Amdur Productions gives their best effort to provide close parking at discounted rates
- Booth Sitting: Amdur Productions staff is available to booth sit for artists throughout the entire festival
- Equipment Rental: tents, tent weights, tables and chairs available for rent, fees apply
- ProPanel Rental: limited pro-panel walls available, first come/first served, fees apply
- Hotel Rooms: Amdur Productions works to provide discounts at local hotels
- Awards: bestowed at the festival
- Marketing: ads in newspapers, radio, posters, street banners, social media, and direct mail postcards
- Security: overnight 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
- March 19, 2027 and thereafter: Late registration fees apply
- April 1, 2027: Last day for refunds (less $50)
Rules and Regulations
- All artwork submitted to jury, displayed and presented for sale must be created, designed and made by the accepted artist(s), or under their direct supervision
- 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
- Photography/digital art must be made by the hands of the photographer, with all printing done by or under their supervision
- Art collaborators (up to two artists total) producing a single body of work qualify as an exhibitor
- 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
- Limited editions and reproductions (giclee, iris prints) up to 500, signed and numbered, are allowed on up to 10 linear feet of booth
- AI-created art is accepted when clearly identified; the applying artist must be the author and must be present if selected
- Accepted artists must be present during all festival hours
- White tents only; all tables must be skirted to the ground
Booth Information and Fees
- 12' wide by 10' deep space: $600 (includes permit fee)
- 20' wide by 10' deep space: $1,175 (includes permit fee)
- Corner fee upgrade: additional $200
- Double and corner spaces may be requested but are not guaranteed
- Tents must be white and properly weighted (at least 60 lbs per leg)
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Application fees are non-refundable. If an artist cancels 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. Credits toward another 2027 Amdur Productions festival may be transferred for a $125 fee.
Jury Details
- Average number of applications submitted each year: 200
- Average number of artists selected from the jury: 97
- Average number exempt from jury who are invited: 12
- Returning artists are selected by having received an award
- Images are viewed by jurors on a computer monitor
- Applications are sorted within a medium category by last name (ascending)
- Jurors score applications on a 1-7 scale
- A single jury panel scores applications for all medium categories
- Jurors score separately from various locations
- The jury process is closed