WISCONSIN ARTS BOARD

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Introduction

2008 Shows Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec NEW! The 2008 Wisconsin Art & Craft Fairs Directory is also available in Portable Document Format (PDF). In order to view PDF documents, you first need to download and install the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader. 2008 Directory (365KB)

The Wisconsin Arts Board has published the Wisconsin Art & Craft Fair Directory annually since 1976 as a governmental service to artists, arts organizations and the general public. The directory is a comprehensive listing of over 200 art and craft fairs throughout the state. 50,000 copies of the directory are printed each year and distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. The events listed within the directory are also posted on this website and the Portal Wisconsin website at www.portalwisconsin.org.

Whether an artist or an arts enthusiast, the Arts Board hopes that you will find the Wisconsin Art & Craft Fairs Directory a valuable resource. We hope you are able to enjoy a number of the quality art and craft fairs that you will find in Wisconsin.

Sponsors interested in listing a show/fair in the directory should contact the Wisconsin Arts Board. (See below for more information).  

Thank you for your interest and support of the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Key to Directory Codes/Terms

Most of the terms used within this directory are self-explanatory; a few, however, require some elaboration, while others have been assigned numbers to conserve space. We hope the following definitions provide all the details you need.

• Application Fee: The dollar amount required for exhibitors to submit with an application. In most cases this is a non-refundable jury fee; call to verify.

• Eligibility definitions for exhibitors:

• Open: no restrictions on entry
• Juried: participation is determined by a review panel
• Slides, photos and/or digital images of artwork and/or the display may be required for panel review. 3/1 Slides, for example, indicated 3 slides of your artwork, plus 1 slide of your setup/display are requested for review.
• Closed: entry process is closed to the general public (e.g., by invitation, members only, etc.)
• Restricted: limited to who may participate (e.g., senior citizens, Dane County artists, etc.)

• Booth Size/Fee: Smallest, largest booth dimensions/lowest-highest exhibitor fees.

• Awards: Total value of cash and/or purchase awards.

Acceptable work codes: 1  Fine art 2  High quality, fine crafts 3  Jewelry 4  Country crafts 5  Handicraft items under $25 6  Painted or appliquéd     clothing/accessories 7  Manufactured or resale items 8  Imported art or other items 9  Photography

Facility codes: 1  Indoor event 2  Outdoor event 3  Food available 4  Tent 5  Electricity (may be limited/fee     charged) 6  Security 7  Free parking

Advertising a Fair

Advertising Next Deadline:  November 3, 2008 The application will open in late September 2008 for the 2009 Directory. Instructions and  Form to Submit >>

All art and craft fairs held in the state of Wisconsin and open to the general public are eligible for inclusion in the directory. In order to be included in the directory, event sponsors must submit a form AND a listing fee to the Wisconsin Arts Board. The form for listing in the Wisconsin Art & Craft Fairs Directory is an online submission, and can be accessed from here each September.

Listing fees are calculated according to a formula (Number of Exhibitors x Lowest Booth Fee x .025) with the amount—minimum of $25/maximum $250—emailed to you after you submit your online form. To finalize your application, listing fees must be mailed to the Wisconsin Arts Board office after your online submission. Events received through the online form will not be published unless we receive the listing fee. Complete information will be included in the Confirmation Email you will receive after you submit your event.

All fairs submitted for the printed directory are also added to this website. Sponsors often make corrections after the directory has been printed so check this website often for any changes or new fairs. Sponsors of fairs can contact renee.tertin@wisconsin.gov with corrections or to add a fair that was not listed in the original printed version.

To be notified when the next year’s Art & Craft Fair form is available, submit your name and email address to the Wisconsin Arts Board. Please notify us if your email address changes; we will not be able to inform you when the form is available without a current email address.

To Receive the Directory

A printed copy of the Wisconsin Art & Craft Fair Directory may be obtained in one of the following two ways:

1. by calling the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, 6:00am - 10:00pm, 
   7 days/week at:

1-800-432-TRIP (8747)

2. by sending to the Wisconsin Arts Board:

• a 9" x 12" or larger envelope,
• self addressed, with $1.65 postage (Please do not send cash or check).

Mail the requirements noted above to:

Wisconsin Arts Board
First Floor, 101 E. Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53702

The Arts Board will use your SASE to mail the current (2008) Wisconsin Art & Craft Fair Directory to you. Please include a separate stamped envelope for each directory you request.

The 2009 edition will be available after January 1, 2009. We suggest that you retain this directory as a guide/information resource until you receive next year’s publication. Most art fairs occur around the same time every year and are usually sponsored by the same group.

Cover Image

On the 2008 cover:

“Block Quilt Cupboard” © Jim Rose, 2007. 76" x 51" x 19", hot rolled and found painted steel.

“Deeply influenced by traditional quilting and its utilitarian and parsimonious use of fabric remnants, this piece translates folk traditions and graphic legacy into the satisfyingly sympathetic and contemporary medium of steel. The components of sheet, cut and painted steel have been creatively reconfigured from their found state to this thoughtfully pieced, sparingly and meticulously crafted quilt cupboard. The historical references to the Shaker legacy of furniture making are communicated through proportion, clean lines and functionality in a piece intended for daily use.”

– Jim Rose

This represents the thirteenth in an annual series of directory covers featuring the artwork of a Wisconsin Arts Board Artist Fellowship Award recipient in the visual arts.

Cover design: David Max Beckes, BECKES Design/Illustration
  

For Additional Information

The Wisconsin Arts Board cannot guarantee the reliability of any listing; information is included as provided by fair sponsors. Individuals who require further details about any of the art & craft fairs included in this directory should call or write the contact person listed for the specific event. The Wisconsin Arts Board has no further details than what is provided.

From time to time, after publication of this directory, sponsors may change fair dates, times, locales or even cancel a fair. The Wisconsin Arts Board is unaware of these changes and has no further information about the fairs than what is listed in this directory. If you want to confirm information provided or require additional information about any of the art/craft fairs, please call, write, or email the contact person listed for the particular fair.

Obtaining a Seller’s Permit

Exhibitors can receive information on obtaining a seller’s permit, paying the appropriate sales tax, or registering to do business in the state of Wisconsin by contacting:

Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Temporary Events Program
265 W. Northland Avenue
Appleton, WI 54911
920/832-2910
Email: tempevtprg@dor.state.wi.us

Other State’s Directories

To obtain information about art & craft fairs in our neighboring states, contact the following nonprofit organizations:

Illinois Arts Council
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Suite 10-500
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-6750
info@arts.state.il.us

No charge.

Indiana Division of Tourism
One N. Capitol, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
1-888-ENJOY-IN

No charge (Festival and Events Guide).

Iowa Division of Tourism
Department of Economic Development
200 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
1-888-472-6035

No charge (Calendar of Events).

Michigan.org

Fairs and Festivals can be found on the Michigan.org website.

Midwest Art Fairs
PO Box 72
Pepin, WI 54759
1-800-871-0813
info@midwestartfairs.com

$15.95/yr., published in February and August.

News

CODA Economic Survey, State Summaries Now Available On-Line
Craft Organization Development Association
“The CODA Survey: The Impact of Crafts on the National Economy, individual state data break-out summaries are now available on the Craft Organization Development Association (CODA) website along with the summary of the national data; providing a much-needed tool for the administration of craft organizations. This landmark study released in 2001 found the direct impact of sales from handmade crafts on the national economy totals $14 billion. These statistics aid students, colleges and universities, state and local development agencies, state arts councils, consultants, as well as craftspeople and organizations in securing funding, recognition and promotional support. Armed with accurate statistics craft organizations are able to partner with state and local agencies to promote strategies encouraging growth and development of this important sector of home-based businesses.”

 

Updated: February 19, 2008