Lubbock Arts Alliance Seeks Emerging Artist Applicants by August 31st
The Lubbock Arts Alliance is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Emerging Artist Program, which equips early-career visual artists with the practical skills, professional guidance and real-world experience needed to successfully exhibit and sell their artwork at arts festivals.
Selected artists will participate in four expert-led, in-person workshops covering festival applications, booth design, artwork presentation, pricing, marketing, customer engagement and sales. After completing the required workshops, each participant will receive a complimentary booth at the 49th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival, April 10–11, 2027, at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
Artists will also receive professional feedback and promotional support through the Lubbock Arts Festival. Participants will retain 100% of their art sales.
“The Emerging Artist Program helps talented artists bridge the gap between creating artwork and successfully presenting it in a professional festival setting,” said Elizabeth Grigsby, executive director of the Lubbock Arts Alliance. “Participants gain practical knowledge, confidence and firsthand experience that can help them build sustainable careers and pursue opportunities at festivals throughout the region.”
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, the Lubbock Arts Alliance especially encourages applications from artists working in heritage arts and traditional craft mediums. These may include leatherwork, quilting, woodworking, metal arts, ceramics, fiber arts and other practices reflecting America’s cultural traditions and creative heritage.
Applicants must have fewer than five years of professional experience, may not be represented by a gallery and may receive no more than 50% of their income from art sales. Participants must create a cohesive body of original artwork suitable for display and sale at the 2027 Lubbock Arts Festival.
The four required pre-Festival workshops will be held September 19, October 24 and November 14, 2026, and February 6, 2027. Participants must attend all four workshops in person to receive their complimentary booth and participate in the Festival. A final meeting and program evaluation will be held May 22, 2027.
Applications must be submitted through ZAPPlication by August 31, 2026. Artists may apply under the “Emerging Artist” category at https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=14653. No booth image is required during the application process; applicants should upload images of their artwork instead.
Applicants will be notified of their selection status by September 8, 2026.
A nonrefundable $25 application fee is required. Artists accepted into the program must pay a $150 participation fee, bringing the total cost for an accepted artist to $175.
The Lubbock Arts Alliance is committed to making the program accessible to everyone. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact 806-744-2787 or [email protected] at least two weeks in advance.
The Emerging Artist Program is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts. In the event of reduced funding, the program may be altered, postponed or canceled.
About the Lubbock Arts Alliance
The Lubbock Arts Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the creation, understanding and enjoyment of the arts. Through the Lubbock Arts Festival, arts education initiatives, professional development opportunities and public art projects, the Alliance connects artists and audiences while expanding access to meaningful arts experiences throughout Lubbock and the surrounding region. For more information, visit www.lubbockarts.org.
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