The Art Colony Association Inc. (ACA) has announced an open call for artists to apply to showcase their work at the Bayou City Art Festival.
2023 Bayou City Art Festival
For more than five decades, ACA has produced the festival, which takes place in the spring and fall and welcomes thousands of attendees. Since its inception, the event has raised nearly $4 million for local nonprofits. The 2025 spring festival, which will feature live music, an activity zone, a middle school art competition, a culinary arts stage, and more, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30. While the fall festival will take place in Memorial Park, the spring event will be held in downtown Houston.
Artists from around the world are invited to submit their work to be reviewed by ACA jurors. The jury panel is comprised of five to seven members with experience in a range of art disciplines, including visual, literary, and performing arts. The panel will select 250 artists to exhibit at the spring festival and cash prizes will be awarded for “Best in Show,” as well as second and third places. Additionally, ribbons will be awarded for “Best Booth” and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Curatorial Award.
Applicants must submit five images and pay a $50 application fee by the December 2 deadline. Selected artists will be notified by December 16. Read the full list of rules and regulations and apply here.
Additionally, the Bayou City Art Festival invites Houston-area college students to apply for The Collegiate Art Collective. Launched in 2022, this initiative is an opportunity for local visual art students to exhibit their work at the event. Students must be enrolled in a college art program at a local college or university. While there is no application fee, a $250 participation fee will be required by selected students. Interested applicants must submit three images of their work by February 2, 2025. Selected students will be contacted by February 5. Use this form to submit your work for The Collegiate Art Collective.
