2026 Art in the Park Festival
Returning Artist Online Registration
- Eligibility
- Only original works by the applying artist will be considered by jurors. No manufactured or mass produced items are accepted. Only one Artist will be permitted per booth, therefore, no two Artists will be permitted to share one booth.
- Only original works by the applying artist will be considered by jurors. No manufactured or mass produced items are accepted. Only one Artist will be permitted per booth, therefore, no two Artists will be permitted to share one booth.
- Returning Artists
- Returning Artists from the 2025 Art in the Park Festival will receive an exclusive registration window from January 26th through March 20th. During this exclusive window, Returning Artists are guaranteed to receive the same booth space they had in the 2025 Art in the Park Festival with limited exceptions. If a Returning Artist would like to request a new booth space instead of the space they had in 2025, they are able to rank their top three booth space choices. A map of the booth spaces with pictures of each space will be made available on our website at the time of registration.
- Returning Artists from the 2025 Art in the Park Festival will receive an exclusive registration window from January 26th through March 20th. During this exclusive window, Returning Artists are guaranteed to receive the same booth space they had in the 2025 Art in the Park Festival with limited exceptions. If a Returning Artist would like to request a new booth space instead of the space they had in 2025, they are able to rank their top three booth space choices. A map of the booth spaces with pictures of each space will be made available on our website at the time of registration.
- New Artists
- Public registration for New Artists opens on March 20th. New Artists will be able to rank their booth space preference by referencing the map on our website. Kent Parks and Recreation staff will use these ranked preferences to place all New Artists into open booth spaces. There is no guarantee that New Artists will receive their preferred booth space.
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New Artists & Artists that did not participate in the 2025 Festival, Complete the Following: Submit this application form as well as an artist statement to Kent Parks and Recreation. Provide four quality digital images or photographs depicting the full range of your work. All images must be labeled with the Artist’s name. If applying online, email photos & artist statement to oliver.wuensch@kentohio.gov and in the subject line, please list “Art in the Park 2026.”
- Application
- Applications can be submitted through the mail, in person at our office (497 Middlebury Rd. Kent, OH 44240), online at www.kentparksandrec.com, or emailed to oliver.wuensch@kentohio.gov.
- Applications can be submitted through the mail, in person at our office (497 Middlebury Rd. Kent, OH 44240), online at www.kentparksandrec.com, or emailed to oliver.wuensch@kentohio.gov.
- Deadline
- The Returning Artist exclusive registration period ends on March 20th. All artist registration ends on June 30th or when all booth spaces are full. Artists may be added to a waitlist following the deadline in case an accepted artist pulls out of the festival.
- The Returning Artist exclusive registration period ends on March 20th. All artist registration ends on June 30th or when all booth spaces are full. Artists may be added to a waitlist following the deadline in case an accepted artist pulls out of the festival.
- Payments
- The cost for an artist booth at Art in the Park is $150. Payment is required at the time of registration. No booth spaces will be held until payment is made. Artists may pay using cash, credit/debit card, or check (made out to ‘The City of Kent’). Checks will be cashed upon receipt; this procedure does not indicate acceptance into the show.
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The price above includes a non-refundable $15.00 screening fee.
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Artists not accepted will be issued a $135.00 refund by August 1st.
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Applications without payment, photos and/or Artist statement will not be considered for selection.
- Jury Selection
- Jury Selection will be completed in July. Artists will be notified by July 24th regarding their acceptance. Only New Artists are required to go through the jurying process.
- Jury Selection will be completed in July. Artists will be notified by July 24th regarding their acceptance. Only New Artists are required to go through the jurying process.
- Cancellations
- Accepted Artists must cancel their reservation by August 1st to receive a refund. This refund does not include the non-refundable $15.00 screening fee.
- Accepted Artists must cancel their reservation by August 1st to receive a refund. This refund does not include the non-refundable $15.00 screening fee.
- Booth Preference
- When submitting an application, artists will have the opportunity to list their top 3 choices of booth location. Priority will be given on a first come, first serve basis after the initial exclusivity window for returning artists. If all 3 of an artists booth space locations are already taken, they will be placed in an open booth space. Artists that do not list any booth preference will be placed in the open booth spaces available. A map of the festival is available on our website for reference.
- When submitting an application, artists will have the opportunity to list their top 3 choices of booth location. Priority will be given on a first come, first serve basis after the initial exclusivity window for returning artists. If all 3 of an artists booth space locations are already taken, they will be placed in an open booth space. Artists that do not list any booth preference will be placed in the open booth spaces available. A map of the festival is available on our website for reference.
- Booth Items
- The medium you are submitting with your application is what must be shown at your booth. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the Festival and no refund will be granted.
- The medium you are submitting with your application is what must be shown at your booth. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the Festival and no refund will be granted.
- Security
- On Friday and Saturday, a uniformed security guard will be on site from 8pm to 8am. Kent Parks & Recreation Department will not be responsible for theft or damage to works or exhibits.
- On Friday and Saturday, a uniformed security guard will be on site from 8pm to 8am. Kent Parks & Recreation Department will not be responsible for theft or damage to works or exhibits.
- Severe Weather
- No refunds will be granted due to severe weather cancellations. The Festival will operate as planned in the case of rain or adverse weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by Kent Parks & Rec Staff. Artist understands in the case of severe weather, Kent Parks & Recreation will not be liable for any damages.
- No refunds will be granted due to severe weather cancellations. The Festival will operate as planned in the case of rain or adverse weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by Kent Parks & Rec Staff. Artist understands in the case of severe weather, Kent Parks & Recreation will not be liable for any damages.
- Booth Spaces
- Booth space is approximately 12’ x 12’. The Artist must supply all equipment necessary to set up their booths. Sites are mostly located on grassy areas and most are not level. All artist tents must be weighted or staked into the ground.
- Booth space is approximately 12’ x 12’. The Artist must supply all equipment necessary to set up their booths. Sites are mostly located on grassy areas and most are not level. All artist tents must be weighted or staked into the ground.
- Artist Behavior
- Kent Parks and Recreation expects all vendors to treat event staff, patrons, and other vendors with respect before, during, and after the event. Any vendor not following event rules or behaving in an unacceptable manner will be removed from the event without refund. Kent Parks & Recreation has the right to suspend or terminate participation in future events, at the discretion of Kent Parks and Recreation staff.
- Kent Parks and Recreation expects all vendors to treat event staff, patrons, and other vendors with respect before, during, and after the event. Any vendor not following event rules or behaving in an unacceptable manner will be removed from the event without refund. Kent Parks & Recreation has the right to suspend or terminate participation in future events, at the discretion of Kent Parks and Recreation staff.
- Smoking
- No smoking is allowed within Fred Fuller Park and event grounds. Vendors found to be smoking are subject to removal from the event without refund.
- No smoking is allowed within Fred Fuller Park and event grounds. Vendors found to be smoking are subject to removal from the event without refund.
- Awards Judging
- A third party artist or art student is hired to judge artists on professionalism, originality, artistic ability, and booth presentation. These categories are totaled and used to rank the artists. Awards are then handed out for the following: Best in Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Best Display, and 4 Honorable Mentions.
- A third party artist or art student is hired to judge artists on professionalism, originality, artistic ability, and booth presentation. These categories are totaled and used to rank the artists. Awards are then handed out for the following: Best in Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place, Best Display, and 4 Honorable Mentions.
- Questions
- Any questions regarding the 2026 Art in the Park Festival, please reach out to Oliver Wuensch at (330) 673-8897 or through email at oliver.wuensch@kentohio.gov.
