Application late fees apply after January 20, 2020. Registration late fees apply after March 20, 2020.
The “Granddaddy of American Art Festivals,” the 63rd Annual Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park, Chicago’s premier festival destination! The Gold Coast Art Fair is the 3rd oldest and by far one of the most well attended art festivals in Chicago. Located within walking distance of the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, The Bean, and Buckingham Fountain, the Gold Coast Art Fair draws hundreds of thousands of art enthusiasts from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs annually. A heavy advertising program also brings in tourists who buy art as a memory of their special time in Chicago.
The Gold Coast Art Fair features about 300 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. Food, Beverage and Music oasis in each corner of the festival provide good rest stops for artists and visitors. A special Artist VIP tent provides backup support during the festival. Discounted parking is made available to artists (fee).
Set up is dolly in and out, but most distances are short as we load this show in from three sides the day before the festival. Security is on site from load in through load out.
*Dates and details subject to change
NEW EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM
WHAT: This new program is for artists who are new to the outdoor art festival world, and have very little experience exhibiting and selling their artwork and specifically have not been in more than 3 outdoor art shows.
HOW: The Emerging Artist application process is the same as the process for the regular show, however, upon acceptance Emerging Artists pay a discounted space fee of $350, which also includes a 10’ by 10’ tent set up in their show space and receive mentoring from experienced exhibiting artists and Show Staff. Pro panel walls for hanging art will be provided upon request, based on availability.
Emerging Artist applicants submit images of their artwork through the regular application on Zapplication.org or Juried Art Services with four images of their art and one of their display. Emerging Artists may use a “mock set up” for their display shot of what they imagine their space to be at the show. For 2D artists, we recommend shooting your work on 2 connecting walls in your home to represent 2 walls within your booth. For assistance, please contact [email protected]. To apply as an Emerging Artist, select ‘Emerging Artist’ and then your art category as your medium category.
Artists may only apply to the Emerging Artist Program or to the general show, but they may not apply to both. The Art Festival reserves the right to pre-screen and research emerging artists to make sure they are qualify for this category.
Fine art reproductions must be clearly and individually labeled as a limited edition which is signed and numbered on the front of each piece. The method of reproduction and brief process description must be on the back. Browse bins may be used, but reproductions may not be mixed with originals. Framed reproductions may be hung on one wall not to exceed a total of ten linear feet. No laser prints or photo copies permitted.
Limited Edition Prints are printed works for which the artist hand manipulates the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition. These hand pulled prints are considered to be originals. Printmakers are encouraged to identify their process.
Spaces are 12’ wide X 10’ deep and work must be contained within the assigned space. You may not infringe on another space physically or audibly. Exhibitors must have a white tent. All tables must be skirted to the ground. Only one artist’s work or the work of two approved collaborating artists may be displayed per booth. Artist must keep their area clean and orderly. Double and corner spaces may be requested but are not guaranteed and are awarded at the sole discretion of the Festival Committee. Double spaces must be occupied by two tents.
An artist requesting a corner must either have the corner wall open or use the outside wall to display art.
Special booth space and special needs requests will be accepted (including corner space and double space requests) but are not guaranteed. We will make every effort to meet all special requests on a first come, first served basis. Additional charges may apply. If invited into a show, please include all booth requests on that show’s registration form.
During the festival, all exhibits will be visited by a festival representative to ensure that they are in compliance with our festival policies. It is the exclusive right and responsibility of the Festival Staff to call for the removal of work that is not in compliance with the festival policies and requirements. Non-compliance may result in expulsion from the festival or refusal of future festival participation.
All canopies are required to be white and able to withstand winds and rain and be properly weighted. Properly weighting requires AT LEAST 40 pounds per leg (more in windy weather). Tents must be connected to weights with rope or straps, not bungee cords. Weights may not include cinderblocks or water jugs as they do not meet the 40 pound requirement.
A wait list is selected from the jury’s scores in each category, and wait listed artists are invited into the show as cancellations occur in that particular category. Wait list artists can resubmit art images and/or a booth image for reconsideration on their overall jury score. Wait list artists can be accepted up to and on the day of the show and will be notified by phone and/or email when a booth becomes available.
Cancellations must be made in written form and submitted by mail, fax, or email. Emails should be sent to the Director of Artist Relations, Caitlin, at [email protected]
If an artist cancels a show on or before April 20, 2020, they will be given a refund for the amount they have paid towards the booth, less $50 processing fee. Application fees, credit card processing fees, and permit fees are non-refundable. NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 20, 2020.
Artists that cancel after April 20, 2020 can have the amount that they have paid toward their booth fee transferred to another 2020 Amdur Productions’ festival balance. The fee to transfer is $125. Permit fees, credit card processing fees, and application fees are non-transferable between festivals. Credit transfer will not be accepted if an artist cancels within a week from the festival start date. Credits from a cancelled show can only be transferred once.
Artists who have not checked in and/or notified Amdur Productions with a message via festival phone (TBD), office phone (847-926-4300), or email ([email protected]) by 7:30 am on the first day of festival, will be considered a NO SHOW and the assigned space will be forfeited with no refund.
By applying to this festival, I hereby certify that these images represent my original work, and that the work is unique and made by me. I also agree to follow all festival rules as outlined in the prospectus. In partnership situations, we declare that our combined efforts made every individual piece of work we would exhibit, if accepted. I/We also agree to allow images of my/our work to be used in publicity and or materials.
Applications will be processed online through Juried Art Services (JAS) at www.juriedartservices.com. If you have any questions with the process of applying to our festivals, contact [email protected]
When applying in two categories, work in each must be substantially different. Four images of the work and one of the display must be submitted for each category. A separate jury fee is required for each category.
Online jury payments are processed directly by Amdur Productions through a secure payment system. Email confirmation of your payment will be sent. Please follow online payment instructions if paying your jury fee with a credit card. Your jury fee payment will be posted to JAS within three days after you submit your application. All questions or concerns regarding the payment of your fees should be directed to the office at 847-926-4300 or email [email protected].
If paying with a check or money order (US currency only) please send via US mail no later than 7 days after the submission of your online application. Applications will not be processed or forwarded on to our jury unless your jury fee is paid in full. The non-refundable jury fee check will be deposited on receipt.
All checks are to be made payable in US dollars to “Amdur Productions” and sent to:
Amdur Productions
PO Box 550
Highland Park, IL 60035
Please note the festival name on your check.
Once the jury process is complete, all artists will receive an email from Juried Art Services directing the artist to log into their JAS account to check the status of their application. Please keep your email up to date with JAS to receive this information in a timely manner.
All artists who have applied will be notified on February 20, 2020 via email. Your application status will be indicated by a color:
Invited artists will be required to submit their online registration and booth fee payment by March 20, 2020 for participation. If the booth fee is not received by the deadline date, the artist will automatically be put on the wait list. Late fees apply on booth space fees paid after March 20, 2020. The late fee on booth space fees are $20 per show fee.
Credit card payments are processed directly by Amdur Productions. All questions or concerns regarding the payment of your fees should be directed to Annette in our accounting office at 847-926-4300.
If paying with a check or money order (US Currency only) please send via US mail on or before the registration due date (03/20/2020). If we do not receive the check on or before the registration due date, you will be put on the wait list. Include artist’s name and name of festival on your check.
All checks are to be made payable to “Amdur Productions” and sent to:
Amdur Productions
PO Box 550
Highland Park, IL 60035
If you have any questions regarding status notification or our payment process please contact us.
Applications will be processed online through Zapplication (Zapp) at www.zapplication.org. After reviewing our prospectus, if you have any questions contact us via email or phone, and we will assist you with the process of applying to our festivals.
When applying in two categories, work in each must be substantially different. Four images of the work and one of the display must be submitted for each category. A separate jury fee is required for each category.
Online jury payments are processed by Zapplication. All questions or concerns regarding the payment of your application fees should be directed to Zapplication.org.
Once the jury process is complete, all artists will receive an email from Zapplication with their status (invited, wait list, or decline). All artists who have applied will be notified on January 20, 2020 via email.
Invited artists will be required to submit their online registration and booth fee payment by March 20, 2020 for participation. Online registrations are NOT through Zapplication.org. It is on AmdurProductions.com. If the booth fee is not received by the deadline date, the artist will automatically be put on the wait list. Late fees apply on booth space fees paid after March 20, 2020. The late fee on booth space fees are $20 per show fee.
Credit card payments are processed directly by Amdur Productions. All questions or concerns regarding the payment of your fees should be directed to Annette in our accounting office at 847-926-4300.
If paying with a check or money order (US Currency only) please send via US mail on or before the registration due date (03/20/2020). If we do not receive the check on or before the registration due date, you will be put on the wait list. Include artist’s name and name of festival on your check.
All checks are to be made payable to “Amdur Productions” and sent to:
Amdur Productions
PO Box 550
Highland Park, IL 60035
If you have any questions regarding status notification or our payment process please contact us.
An Artist Statement describing the technique, materials, and processes used in the creation of your entire body of work must be included with each entry. Co-artists must describe the collaboration. Your Artist Statement may be used in the promotion of the festival through public relations efforts and should be no longer than a maximum of 1000 characters (including punctuation and spacing).
The artistic work submitted by each artist is juried based on the criteria listed below: