Summary
Welcome to the 25th Annual Art on the Square – One of the nation's top juried fine arts festivals presenting the work of approximately 100 artists which takes place on the Public Square in Belleville, IL in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.
Art on the Square is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by an all-volunteer executive board with the assistance of hundreds of community volunteers who work to make the show a success. Proceeds from the fair are used to promote the arts in southwestern Illinois and to support individual programs and community outreach sponsored by the Art on the Square Foundation.
The show has been in the top 1% of art fairs since its inception in 2002 and is known for its innovative Art Cash program. In addition, Art on the Square offers $32,000 in artist awards.
The festival continually features strong average attendance of over 60,000 visitors, regional advertising worth more than $100,000 and a reputation for great hospitality which provides artists with an outstanding opportunity for success.
General information
Featuring the original work of over 100 accomplished artists from around the world, entertainment, artist demonstrations as well as delicious local food and drink, Art on the Square offers an outstanding opportunity to grow your reputation and business at this well attended event! Art on the Square does extensive advertising which includes design magazines, tourism materials and regional billboards. All of these ads feature the work of selected artists.
EVENT DATES
Friday, May 14, 2027 4:00PM - 9:00PM
Saturday, May 15, 2027 10:00AM - 8:00PM
Sunday, May 16, 2027 10:00AM - 4:00PM
LOCATION
Art on the Square takes place on the historic Public Square in downtown Belleville, IL at the intersection of Main Street and Illinois Street (IL HWY 159).
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES:
October 1, 2026 Application Available
December 11, 2026 Application Deadline
January 2, 2027 Artist Invitation Notification
February 1, 2027 Artist Invitation Acceptance and Booth Purchase Deadline March 1, 2027 Last day to cancel with refund
Artists who participate in Art On The Square will receive a welcome email with further details to make planning for and exhibiting at the show an excellent experience. Our top priority is to support artists in their successful show participation.
AWARDS
Art on the Square offers $32,000 in awards including Best of Show ($5,000), 4 Named Awards of $500 to $3,000, 12 Best of Category awards ($1,500) and 8 awards of excellence ($500 each).
PRE-EVENT SALES
The Art Cash program has a long tradition of strong support by the Belleville community to ensure the success of Art on the Square for both artists and art enthusiasts.
HOSPITALITY
The show provides artists with complimentary meals, snacks and water delivered to the booth throughout the weekend. Artists have direct booth access for set-up and loading and twenty-four hour security provided by the Belleville Police. Electrical service is provided free of charge to all booths. Booth sitters and bathroom facilities are available.
MEDIA CATEGORIES
- Ceramics - Original clay and porcelain work. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed. No machine made or mass produced work is accepted.
- Digital or Graphic Design - Original images made with the primary assistance of a computer. Work in this category must be in limited editions of no more than 250, signed, and numbered on archival materials.
- Drawing or Printmaking - Original drawing work created using dry media (pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel or chalk) or the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush. Prints must be hand-pulled from traditional methods and signed in limited editions of no more than 250.
- Fibers/Textiles - 2D or 3D work and wearable items made from fibers, fabric, textiles or leather. No Factory Produced wearable items or objects from commercial casts, molds or production studios are permitted.
- Fine Craft - 2D or 3D work made from paper, glass, polymer beads, found objects, clay, acrylic or metal. No Factory Produced items or objects from commercial casts, molds or production studios are permitted.
- Glass - Original functional or sculptural work in which the primary material is glass. No Mass Production is accepted.
- Jewelry - Original work created by the fabrication of precious and semi-precious stones, enamel and fine metals. Work made from commercial casts and molds or production studio work is not permitted.
- Mixed Media - 2D or 3D original work incorporating more than one material.
- Painting - Original painted works made using oils, acrylics or paint soluble in water.
- Photography (Digital or Film) - Includes all photographic prints made from the artist's original negative or digital image which have been processed by the artist or under the artist's direct supervision, printed on archival materials, hand numbered, and signed on the front surface. Limited to editions of no more than 250.
- Sculpture - Original non-functional 3D work in any material.
- Wood - Original work made from wood that is hand-tooled, machine worked, turned or carved.
APPLICATION IMAGES
Artists must submit 4 images that represent the complete range of work you plan to show. In addition, an image must be submitted of your booth with your work displayed. Your application will not be considered without a booth image. The booth image shows the jury your body of work, provides dimension and scale, and shows overall continuity and presentation of your current body of work. The images must represent work created in the last 3 years. No images should contain artist identifiers. Images provided will be used for marketing material for the show.
JURY PROCESS
Art on the Square selects new jurors each year in an effort to provide as fair a review process as possible. In the past, jurors have included museum curators, professional artists and designers, and studio instructors.
Each entry is digitally reviewed and scored independently by the jurors using the criteria of originality, technical competence, artistic merit and booth presentation. This is a blind jury process so it is imperative that images show no identifying signs or information.
Invitations to show are based on the results of this scoring. Approximately 105 Artists will be invited to participate with up to 10% of these exempt from jury selection.
Rules and regulations
Art on the Square is open to all artists 18 years of age or older. Artwork must be original in design. Production must be by the hand of the artist(s) or by using the appropriate tools of the medium. Work to be juried and exhibited must have been created within the last (3) three years.
All entries must be original work created by the artist. Mass-produced or machine-made items or work made from molds or commercial kits are not acceptable.
Reproductions including giclee prints are allowed, but must not comprise more than 10% of the art for sale and must be signed, numbered and matted.
Artists may not sell factory produced items including but not limited to commercial clothing, candles, T-Shirts or soap.
On-Site Rules
Artists must be fully set up and ready to display prior to the opening of the show and must be in attendance during the entire show. Booth sitters will be available upon request. No agents, dealers, or representatives may attend the event in place of the artist.
Taxes
Artists are responsible for collection and reporting all taxes, including Illinois sales tax.
Booth information and fees
Booth Fees:
- Row Booth off the Square $430
- Corner Booth off the Square $480
- Row Booth on the Square $580
- Corner Booth on the Square $680
- Double Booths (very limited availability) $940
Booth fees will not be refunded after March 1, 2027.
TENTS & RENTALS: A 10 X 10 white tent is required. Tents are $200, 6' or 8' tables are $10 each, chairs are $2 each and bar stools are $10 each.
ELECTRICAL SERVICE: Electrical service is provided free of charge to all booths. Artists must provide their own display lighting and extension cords (up to 75ft).
CHECK-IN: Early check-in and booth assignments will be available after 3:00PM on Thursday, May 13th in the Artists Check-In Center at 30 Public Square, Belleville, Illinois, 62220.
SET-UP: Early set-up on Thursday, May 13th will be available once check-in is completed.
Refund and cancellation policy
Booth fees will not be refunded after March 1, 2027.
Jury details
- Average number of applications submitted each year: 350
- Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event: 110
- Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event: 4
- Vendors that are excluded/ineligible: Performance art and mass production art
- Number of jurors scoring applications: 6
- Jurors score applications using the following scale: 1 - 7
- Applications are reviewed blind by 6 appointed individuals who review on their own time separately.