Somerville Arts Council ArtBeat 2026 Craft Deadline- Wednesday April 15th

[Heather Balchunas]

 

Call for Artists, Crafts, & Artisans for ArtBeat 2026

 

 

 

Saturday July 18^th  Davis Square, Somerville MA

(Rain Date: Sunday July 19th)

 

The Somerville Arts Council’s annual multicultural arts festival showcases the City’s diverse and vibrant arts communities and attracts ten thousand visitors to Davis Square. Presented by the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) and Mayor Jake Wilson, ArtBeat has reached its 40th year and features an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, food, performance, and interactive activities.

 

2026 theme: REVolution

Let’s get revved up! In honor of the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, this year’s ArtBeat theme will be REVolution. Think of it as an artistic prompt. Let’s celebrate the powerful spirit of transformation and explore the spark that challenges the status quo. We encourage our creative community to interpret this theme in myriad ways – perhaps by exploring celestial revolutions of the planets or artistic revolutions that have changed the course of art history. Whether it’s the physical turning of a potter’s wheel, a punk rock revolt, or the rhythmic cycles of nature, REVolution is not just a commemoration of the past, but a spirit that propels us forward.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 15th

 

How to submit:

 

As many of you know, the landscape of Davis Square has changed. This means there may be fewer booth spaces to accommodate vendors. Past participation at ArtBeat does not guarantee an acceptance for this year.

This year, application is online where you will upload all of your materials. Name your images starting with your last name, followed by your first, ArtBeat 2026, then your discipline Example: Leeman_Lauren-ArtBeat2026-Jewlery

Contents of the folder should include the following:
*5 good quality images of your work
*Price list
*CV/Resume (first-time participants)
*Description and images of booth set-up

To apply, follow this link to go to the application

https://somervilleartscouncil.org/artbeat/calls/artbeat-craft-application/

 

Please follow the guidelines on the application carefully. Applications without visual support materials and/or incomplete information will be disqualified. Notification e-mails of participation will be sent by the end of May.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 

• The vendor fee for participation is $150. Table and chairs are an extra cost. We do not provide tents.
• Previous ArtBeat participation does not guarantee placement. Since the landscape of Davis Square has changed, there are fewer booth spaces to accommodate vendors.
• Submissions must include images of the current work you will be showing AND your booth set-up. Vendors are selected on the quality and strength of the applications materials.
• Shared spaces/applications are juried separately. If the jury does not approve one submission, the accepted applicant must pay the full fee.

 

All applications must be sent in by Wednesday, April 15th.  The craft jury will evaluate applications in terms of quality, originality, and marketability. Past participation at ArtBeat does not guarantee an acceptance for this year. Applications without visual support materials (photos or jpegs), and incomplete information will be disqualified. Notification e-mails will be sent by end of May.

 

Questions? Contact the Arts Council at (617) 625-6600, x 2985 or hbalc...@somervillema.gov

 

 

Heather Balchunas

Office Manager/Art Coordinator

Somerville Arts Council

617-625-6600 x 2985

www.somervilleartscouncil.org

City of Somerville
Mayor Jake Wilson

 

 
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