Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

Participation is open to all artists 18 and older who exhibit work of original concept, design, and execution.  Space is limited and jury selections are based first and primarily on jury score and secondly on media balance, market variety, and diverse representation of both new and returning artists to maintain the highest standards for both artists and visitors.  

Media

Painting, Jewelry, Fiber, Wood, Metal, Glass, Photography, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Pottery, Illustration/Drawing, Leather. 

Dates 

Application Deadline: Monday, July 15th, 4 PM

Notification of Acceptance:  Monday, August 5th

Set Up: Thursday, October 31st 

Market: Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd from 10 AM - 4 PM

Tear Down: Saturday, November 2nd 4 PM - 6 PM

Submission Guidelines

Each applicant must submit 5 digital images including 4 of current work and 1 of a real & fully-stocked booth or table display similar to what the artist intends to set up at the market.  AI & Photoshop-generated images of a booth and images prominently featuring the artist or artist will not be accepted. Artists should intentionally select high-quality and detailed photos that represent the evolving range and quality of what their booth will offer.

Booths

  • The Holiday Artist Market is best thought of as a boutique art fair as space is finite and booths are smaller than typical outdoor booths.  Booth space does not include additional space between where one artist ends and the next begins. Please refer to our Booth page in the application for a better understanding of how tables are set up and what the spaces can accommodate and plan accordingly prior to applying if space may be a challenge for you. The Sculpture Court is a unique shape and has limited space so understanding the set up and flow of the market and not exceeding the space allotted to you is of great importance in making this a successful and enjoyable event for all.
  • Booths will located throughout the upper and lower court and assigned by the DMC staff based on market flow, accessibility, and variety and size of media. Special requests may be submitted to event management but may not be accommodated.
  • 2 artists can share a booth but each artist must apply and be selected individually.   Please send a note to nzeiler@nmc.edu with the 2 artist names requesting to share a table.  Please note whether or not each artist would like to participate on their own if only one artist is selected by the jury as well.
  • The DMC will provide a 6’ or 5’ table with white linens and 1 - 2 chairs per standard booth and a 6’ plus and additional 5’ table with linens by request.  A questionnaire will be sent to selected artists to collect requests. Detailed measurements will be provided.
  • Additional display pieces are allowed but must fit within the allotted booth space and must remain a minimum of 12” away from gallery walls.  Displays must not exceed 6’ in height.  Displays nearing 6’ should be described to management prior to the event to assist in mapping and planning to make the event aesthetically pleasing and successful for all participating artists.
  • Electrical outlets are available upon request. Artist must supply their own power strip and extension cord.
  • Tents and canopies are prohibited.

Rules & Regulations

  • Artwork is juried based on quality, creativity, originality, and design.  Committee members may change yearly.  Applications are scored blind in random order by computer monitor. 
  • All artwork must be original in concept, design, execution, and of the artist’s own creation. Work made with commercial kits is not allowed. Jewelry and clothing must be handmade or substantially altered by artistic effort.  
  • Commercial photography, giclees, and prints are permitted but should be signed and numbered. Offset reproductions of original art may be sold but should not comprise more than half of the display space.
  • Artwork is professionally represented in your application photos.  DMC reserves the right to refuse exhibition, sale of work, or booth space if an artist’s work is not consistent with application images.
  • To ensure impartiality during the jurying process, the artist name, company name, artist photo, or other personal identifiers must not be visible in images or written in text statements within the application.  
  • Artists, not representatives, must be present with their work for the duration of the market.
  • The DMC’s goal is to present a well-rounded ever-evolving market within the finite space available that brings visitors back year after year.  There is no predetermined number or percentage of spaces established for any medium category. The committee may intentionally select artists who have not participated in previous events to ensure fresh talent and diverse representation. Due to a finite number of available slots, not all applicants can be accepted year after year, and we encourage artists to celebrate the success of the art markets and support the new talent showcased.
  • A waitlist will be created and filled based on jury scores and media. Waitlist artists will be notified of their alternate status.
  • Exhibitor participation is at their own risk. Applying to the market means you release the Dennos Museum Center, their employees, volunteers, and representatives free from any and all liability, as well as giving DMC the right to use your name, images, and/or media for promotional purposes.  DMC is not liable for artwork/items stolen or damaged during the artist market.
  • Exhibitors agree to act professionally and respectfully with fellow exhibitors, staff, volunteers, and patrons. Failure to abide by any of the Holiday Artist Market rules or regulations, whether in the application or created thereafter by the committee, or to act professionally may result in expulsion from the market without the right to rebate any fees paid.
  • Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on the NMC campus.
  • Booth fees are non-refundable after October 1st, 2024.

2024 Fees

Application Fee $10

Standard 8’ x 6’ Booth $150

Extended 10’ x 6’ Booth Limited Availability $250

Milliken Auditorium Standard 8’ x 6’ Booth $100 

Milliken Auditorium Extended 10’ x 6’ Limited Availability Booth $150

Market Stats

The committee typically receives between 40-60 applications to fill the 22-28 spaces available.

Attendance averages of the last 3 years: Friday 875, Saturday 1269, 2 Days Combined 2276 Visitors.  2023 attendance was 2688 Visitors total.

Promotion & Benefit To Artists

  • Promotion will begin when you are juried into and accept your invitation to the market.
  • Artists will be featured/tagged on our website, Facebook page and Instagram, and in email marketing to our museum members, our e-news subscribers, and the Northwestern Michigan College community.  The market will be promoted in the Record Eagle, Ticker, and Facebook ads, community calendars, a postcard mailing to our 1000 plus DMC members and our Holiday Artist Market mailing list captured at previous markets, and on yard signs in Traverse City.
  • DMC will provide morning treats and beverages for artists and a conference room throughout the day to eat and relax. Volunteers will be on hand to sit with your booth during breaks.
  • Free parking is available.

Questions may be directed to the event manage, Nicole zeiler, at nzeiler@nmc.edu or by phone during the week at 231-995-1587.

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