Gasparilla Festival of the Arts 2026 56th Annual

About the Open Call

The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is a premier outdoor fine art festival, recognized as one of the top in the United States. The 56th Annual Festival will take place from February 28 to March 1, 2026, at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa, Florida. Presented by Gasparilla Arts, Inc., a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, the festival selects up to 235 artists through a juried process. These artists exhibit their work to an estimated 30,000 visitors and compete for over $92,000 in award money, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award. The festival is free to the public. This application is for the main show; a separate Emerging Artists Program application will be available in October. Follow @gasparillaarts on social media for updates.

What is Offered

Opportunity to exhibit at a top-rated outdoor fine art festival, exposure to 30,000 visitors, and a chance to win from over $92,000 in award money, including the $15,000 Raymond James Best of Show Award.

Requirements

Applicants must be artists 18 years of age or older. All submitted work must be original, created by the artist within the last three years, signed, and available for sale with clear pricing. A booth shot is required as part of the 4 image submission. Accepted artists must be present during the entire festival hours. Only accepted artists' work can be displayed; subletting booth space is prohibited. Artists may apply in multiple medium categories, but each requires a separate application and fee. Only one medium category may be exhibited per single booth. Prohibited items include manufactured jewelry, commercially molded items, art supplies, commercial displays, craft kits, and non-original commercial reproductions (e.g., posters, t-shirts). Reproductions, if displayed, must be clearly labeled as such and kept in a separate browsing bin. Artwork created using artificial intelligence is not permitted. All paintings must be framed or mounted. Stakes or ground-penetrating tools are prohibited for booth setup. Each artist must exhibit a minimum of five works. Refer to the festival website for full rules and regulations.

How to Apply

Artists must apply through the ZAPPlication platform (login required for application ID 13551). A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 is required. If accepted, a non-refundable exhibition (booth) fee must be paid by December 1, 2025. Booth fees vary by size: $525.00 for a single, $675.00 for a corner, $1050.00 for a double in-line, and $1400.00 for a double corner booth. Detailed rules and regulations are available on the Festival website at https://gasparillaarts.com/application-rules/.