OSU Arts Festival
The Student Union Activities Board is working toward establishing a culture of art appreciation and celebration of expression across campus through different events including the OSU Arts Festival. This festival is a juried art show showcasing the creative and distinctive talents of national and local artists. The 2024 OSU Art Festival will be our fifth annual show and we hope it will continue as a popular event, attracting OSU students and visitors from the local community.
Event Details
Thank you to everyone who participated in the OSU Arts Festival on October 13, 2023. You helped make this event a success! Stay tuned for more information to come on the 2024 event details.
- General Information
Important dates for 2024 coming soon!
Vendors and Performers
We are looking for artists, musicians and music groups who are interested in being part of this continued tradition that celebrates and encourages participation in a variety of art platforms. Review the information below to learn how you can be a part of our annual community event.
- Vendor Application
Application Requirements
- We only accept applications submitted online through the attached webform.
- Artists must submit a completed application with five photographs (including 1 booth shot) by the deadline date in order to be eligible for consideration by the OSU Art Festival jury panel. Applications must be received by midnight, CST, on the specified deadline.
- OSU student artists interested in having a booth or sharing a booth with other students will only have to submit two photographs of their work and do not need one of their booth.
- Artists may present work in more than one medium and will need to indicate all details on the application.
- If an artist submits multiple applications, the most recent application submitted before the deadline date will be the only application considered for that artist.
- Applicants may not revise their applications after the deadline date.
Jury Panel Convenes: TBD
- Jurors convene to review applications and select artists.
- All decisions made by the jury panel are final, and the scoring process is confidential.
- We will not release jury scores or notes.
Notification to Artists: TBD
- The Student Union Activities Board will notify all applicants through email of their status by 8 pm CST on the specified deadline.
- Due to the short turnaround time from notification to the date of the festival we will not have an alternate list. If you are not selected in the first round of Artists, you will not be reconsidered at a later date for this year’s festival.
Artist Acceptance Deadline: TBD
- Artists must accept their invitation to participate in the OSU Art Festival by 6 pm on te specified deadline.
- Artists who do not accept by the deadline will have their invitations rescinded
- All booth payments are due the day before the event date to “Oklahoma State University” at 211 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078.
Cancellation Details:
- We will not refund booth fees for cancellations, but do appreciate timely communication if at some point you are no longer able to participate.
Festival Audience Profile and Anticipated Attendance
- This will be the fourth OSU Art Festival and we hope it will continue as a popular annual event, attracting OSU students and visitors from the local community. A profile of the anticipated OSU Art Festival audience includes individuals who are knowledgeable collectors, budding collectors, museum patrons, students, and artists. Additionally, the festival will feature live entertainment from talented local and campus performers and a space for interactive family activities.
Festival Hospitality and Artist Amenities
- To ensure artists have a positive festival experience, OSU offers artists complimentary meals on the following dates.
- Lunch and Dinner: Friday, October 13, 2022
- Complimentary beverages are available throughout the festival.
- Student Union Activities Board provides booth sitters to artists requesting this service.
Security
- OSU Police will provide standard campus security 24/7 throughout the festival. However, OSU and festival organizers urge artists to be diligent and alert. Exhibiting at the OSU Art Festival is at the discretion of the artist and every artist participates at his or her own risk. OSU does not insure the personal property of any exhibitor/artist. All exhibitors/artists participate at the OSU Art Festival as independent contractors.
Sales and Sales Tax
- Exhibitors are responsible for overseeing the promotion and sale of their work during festival hours. All proceeds earned from sales belong to the artists. By law, artists must collect and remit sales tax on work sold during the OSU Art Festival. The sales tax in Stillwater, Oklahoma is 8.813%. Artists will find a tax instruction form in the packet they receive at registration.
Jury Process
- OSU invites one to two highly respected, credentialed art professionals to participate as members of the OSU Art Festival jury panel as well as students on the SUAB Executive Board. Jurors evaluate artwork based solely on the five or two digital images submitted with each application. Four photographs must represent the artist’s current work, and one photograph features the artist’s booth. OSU students are only required to submit two photos of their work. Because jurors do not know the identity of applicants, the jurying process is blind, allowing for fair consideration of all artwork. Reflecting on originality, quality and marketability for a wide variety of buyers, jurors review applications in the order they were submitted.
- Images of Artwork: Artists must provide four photographs that accurately represent the body of work they plan to show. OSU students are required to submit two photographs that accurately represent their work.
- Image of Booth Display: Artists must provide one photograph that accurately represents how the artwork will be presented during the festival. Applications that do not include a photograph of an artist's booth will be removed from consideration. The artist's name or trade identity cannot be visible in the booth photograph. OSU Students are exempt from this requirement.
- Scoring: Each juror must review every application and assign a numerical score between one of the two ranges: 1-3 for lower scoring applications and 5-7 for higher scoring applications. Because each application must receive a score that will distinctly indicate a status, the jurying process removes 4 from the scoring. Every application receives one score from each juror, and the three scores are totaled and averaged for a final score. Jurors review applications and record scores anonymously. If necessary, jurors can access pertinent details that describe the artist's process, the materials used, and artwork size.
Disclaimer:
- We are committed to maintaining and sustaining a successful community event, OSU and the committee overseeing the OSU Art Festival reserve the right to present a show that is welcoming, balanced and responsive to the festival's wide variety of buyers. In order to preserve the integrity of the OSU Art Festival, organizers have the authority to take the following actions.
- To invite artists on the waitlist to participate as festival exhibitors; and
- To refuse to extend an invitation to a returning artist whose previous interactions and behaviors at the OSU Art Festival or Stillwater Art Festival were considered to be unethical or unprofessional.
Media Categories
- Basketry: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created from materials that are woven or plaited.
- Clay/Porcelain: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using clay and/or porcelain. Clay or porcelain jewelry will not be accepted in this category. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work is prohibited. An artist presenting multiple pieces of the same design should sign and number each piece.
- Fiber/Leather: Functional, decorative, and/or decorative work created using fiber and/or leather. Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, belts, handbags and sculpture qualify if the primary materials used are fiber and/or leather.
- Glass: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using glass. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work is prohibited.
- Jewelry: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using precious and/or non-precious materials. Precious materials include but are not limited to 14K gold, sterling silver, precious stones, and enamels. Non-precious materials include but are not limited to glass, ceramics, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, and semi-precious stones. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work is prohibited. Work created from commercial casts and/or molds are prohibited.
- Painting/Drawing: Work created using oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, chalk, charcoal, pencil, wax crayon, inks and/or washes. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work and reproductions are prohibited.
- Printmaking: Works created using traditional printmaking techniques that involve plates, stones, and/or screens. Work must be created in limited editions and signed and numbered on archival quality material. Artist must provide details about his or her technique and disclose his or her creative and printmaking processes. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work is prohibited. Reproductions created using photogravure, photocopy and/or offset printing are prohibited.
- Metal: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using metals. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made and/or mass-produced work and production studio work are prohibited.
- Mixed Media: Work, both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional, created using two or more media. Work defined as soft sculpture is included in this category.
- Photography/Digital Art: Work created using an artist's original photographic negative or work created from an artist directing or supervising the digital image process. Work must be created in limited editions and signed and numbered on archival quality material. Artist must provide details about his or her technique and disclose his or her creative and printing processes. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made or mass-produced work is prohibited. Reproductions created using photogravure, photocopy and/or offset printing are prohibited.
- Wood: Functional, decorative, and/or sculptural work created using wood. Work must be hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved. All work must be original; therefore, machine-made or mass-produced work is prohibited.
- Sculpture: Three-dimensional work created by shaping or combining materials such as plastic, sound, text, light, stone, rock, marble, metal, glass, or wood and are created directly by finding or carving, assembled, built together, fired, welded, molded, or cast.
Rules/Regulations
- OSU requires artists to be present and available during festival hours. While agents, representatives, and/or assistants are welcome, they cannot act as a replacement or substitute for an exhibiting artist.
- Artists must remain at the festival until 5:00 p.m. on October 13. OSU requests artists respect this important festival rule. Artists who breakdown their booths and leave early compromise their standing with OSU and the OSU Art Festival and may forfeit their ability to exhibit in future festivals.
- Artists must exhibit only original, handcrafted work. All work must be available for sale. Artists may not exhibit or sell subcontracted work for another artist. Mass-produced work is prohibited. Work created using commercial casts/molds, kits, patterns, and/or copyrighted designs is prohibited. Reproductions are prohibited. Items such as imports, plants, velvet paintings, and commercially or factory-produced merchandise from artist shops is prohibited. Commercially fabricated embellishments must not form more than 25% of any work art.
- Collaborating artists are welcome to apply, but OSU restricts the collaboration to no more than two artists. The application must indicate that the work is collaborative and must include signatures from both artists.
- Artists may only exhibit artwork that reflects the quality and craftsmanship of the pieces presented with their applications. Artists may only exhibit artwork specific to the categories indicated on their applications and artwork that clearly relates to the body of work selected during the jury process. Artwork that is inconsistent with the quality and craftsmanship expected is subject to rejection by OSU and festival organizers.
- An artist may submit applications in multiple categories. The artist must indicate all categories they intend to show in their most recent application before the application due date.
- Artists must maintain high standards of professionalism. Festival organizers reserve the right to remove any vendor and/or exhibitor whose conduct and/or merchandise are unacceptable and do not support the terms of the OSU Art Festival contract.
- Artists participate at the OSU Art Festival at their own risk and assume responsibility for maintaining liability insurance that covers any damages or losses during the OSU Art Festival.
- OSU and the partners overseeing the OSU Art Festival reserve the right to present a show that is welcoming, balanced and responsive to the festival's wide variety of buyers. In order to preserve the integrity of the OSU Art Festival, organizers have the authority to take the following actions:
-
- To invite artists on the waitlist to participate as festival exhibitors; and
- To refuse to extend an invitation to a returning artist whose previous interactions and behaviors at the OSU Art Festival were unethical or unprofessional.
Set-Up
- Exhibitors may check in and set-up between 3:00-9:00 p.m. on the day before the event date. During registration, artists must present a photo ID. Artists' booths must be set-up and prepared for sales by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Exhibitors should note that OSU does not provide dollies, hand trucks, wagons, or other moving equipment.
Booth Assignments
- Festival organizers are responsible for assigning booths and will attempt to accommodate requests for specific booth locations whenever possible. Swapping booths among artists is not allowed.
- Please note that after the specified deadline all booth assignments are firm and nonnegotiable.
Booth Specifics and Display
- Artists may decide how best they want to showcase their work. Using a tent is optional. Every artist will have an exhibition space that is 10'x10'. As noted, artists needing larger spaces may request two exhibition spaces. Booths will be arranged in groups on a smooth, brick surface Tents will NOT be able to be staked, but must be accurately weighted down according to fire code.
- OSU will provide one 6 foot table and two chairs for all booth displays. Artists must furnish their booth display, which includes additional tables, chairs, contents, etc. Artists will not have access to power for their booths. Artists need to be certain their booth and its contents easily fit into the area provided and are able to withstand large crowds and weather. Exhibitors should make arrangements to accommodate rain. Festival organizers and OSU are not responsible for damages to artists' booths, art work or personal property.
WEATHER
- The Festival will be held outdoors rain or shine; please come prepared with umbrellas,
canopies, or tents if desired. In case of very severe weather, we will not relocate
to an indoor facility but may consider canceling the Festival.
Legal Agreement / Policies
CERTIFICATION OF PRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL WORK
- I hereby certify that all work is of original design and produced by the artist or two-person collaboration. The work exhibited and booth matches the quality and style of work as represented in the submitted digital images.
- Oklahoma State University (OSU) reserves the right to deny space or exhibition of any work we feel has been misrepresented.
PUBLICITY WAIVER STATEMENT
- If selected for participation in the 2024 OSU Art Festival, I authorize the use of
the images submitted with this application or duplicates thereof for publicity or
documentation.
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY TO MAKE FINAL INTERPRETATION OF ALL RULES
- Oklahoma State University and the 2024 OSU Art Festival committee, reserves the right to make final interpretation of all rules.
LIABILITY RELEASE
- Although every care will be taken, you understand Oklahoma State University and/or its members will not be responsible for the loss, damage, theft or vandalism of artwork displays or equipment while at the Festival, or while in transit. We encourage you to provide your own liability insurance.
- The undersigned agrees that Oklahoma State University or any of its agents, agencies, boards or staff, shall be released from liability, claims or demands whatsoever in the event of any accident or injury to said participant resulting directly or indirectly from their participation in an Oklahoma State University event.
- The undersigned Artist discharges Oklahoma State University and the 2023 OSU Art Festival, of and from all manner of actions, suits, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law or equity, from any loss or damage to the Artist’s property, while in the possession, supervision, or auspices of the 2023 OSU Art Festival, its agents, representatives or employees.
- Musician Application
Application Requirements
- We only accept applications submitted online through the linked webform below.
- Musicians must submit a completed application with a 2-3 minute recording and a set list by the deadline date in order to be eligible for consideration by the OSU Art Festival jury panel. Applications must be received by midnight, CST, on the specified deadline.
- You will be asked to indicate your preference for the amount of time you would like to perform: 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or an hour.
- If a musician or music group submits multiple applications, the most recent application submitted before the deadline date will be the only application considered for that musician or music group.
- Applicants may not revise their applications after the deadline date.
Jury Panel Convenes: TBD
- Jurors convene to review applications and select musicians.
- All decisions made by the jury panel are final, and the scoring process is confidential.
- We will not release jury scores or notes.
Notification to Musicians: TBD
- The Student Union Activities Board will notify all applicants by email of their status by 6 pm CST on the specified deadline.
- Due to the short turnaround time from notification to the date of the festival, we will not have an alternate list. If you are not selected in the first round of musicians, you will not be reconsidered at a later date for this year’s festival.
Musicians Acceptance Deadline: TBD
- Musicians must accept their invitation to participate in the OSU Art Festival by 5 pm on the specified deadline.
- Musicians who do not accept by the deadline will have their invitations rescinded.
Cancellation Details:
- We do appreciate timely communication if at some point you are no longer able to participate.
Festival Audience Profile and Anticipated Attendance
- A profile of the anticipated OSU Art Festival audience includes students, community members, and artists. The festival will feature local and student artists and a space for interactive family activities.
Festival Hospitality and Artist Amenities:
- To ensure artists have a positive festival experience, OSU offers artists and musicians complimentary meals on the following dates.
- Lunch or Dinner (whichever is closest to your performance time): Friday, October 13, 2023
- Complimentary beverages are available throughout the festival.
Jury Process
- OSU invites one to two highly respected, credentialed art professionals to participate as members of the OSU Art Festival jury panel as well as students on the Student Union Activities Executive Board. Jurors evaluate musicians/music groups based solely on the video submissions with each application. Reflecting on quality and potential for widespread appeal to festival attendees, jurors review applications in the order they were submitted.
- Review of music: Musicians must provide 2-3 minutes of musical performance that accurately represents the set they plan to perform.
- Scoring: Each juror must review every application and assign a numerical score between one of the two ranges: 1-3 for lower scoring applications and 5-7 for higher scoring applications. Because each application must receive a score that will distinctly indicate a status, the jurying process removes 4 from the scoring. Every application receives one score from each juror, and the three scores are totaled and averaged for a final score. Jurors review applications and record scores anonymously.
Disclaimer:
- We are committed to maintaining and sustaining a successful community event, OSU and the committee overseeing the OSU Art Festival reserve the right to present a show that is welcoming, balanced and responsive to the festival's wide variety of attendees. In order to preserve the integrity of the OSU Art Festival, organizers have the authority to take the following actions.
- To refuse to extend an invitation to a returning musician or music group whose previous interactions and behaviors at the OSU Art Festival or Stillwater Art Festival were considered to be unethical or unprofessional.
Rules/Regulations
- OSU requires musicians to be present and available in sufficient time before the assigned performance slot to set up and be ready for their performance.
- Musicians or music groups may only perform music that reflects the quality of the pieces presented with their applications.
- Musicians and music groups must maintain high standards of professionalism. Festival organizers reserve the right to remove any performer and/or exhibitor whose conduct and/or merchandise are unacceptable and do not support the terms of the OSU Art Festival contract.
- Musicians and music groups participate at the OSU Art Festival at their own risk and assume responsibility for maintaining liability insurance that covers any damages or losses during the OSU Art Festival.
Set-Up
- Musicians and music groups may check in and set-up an hour before performance time. During registration, all musicians must present a photo ID.
- Musicians must be set-up and prepared to perform by their time slot start time. Performers should note that OSU does not provide dollies, hand trucks, wagons, or other moving equipment.
Time Slot Assignments
- Festival organizers are responsible for assigning performance time slots and will attempt to accommodate requests for specific times whenever possible. Swapping times among musicians is not allowed.
- Please note that after the specified deadline all time slot assignments are firm and nonnegotiable.
Performance Specifics
- Musicians may decide what songs they want to include in their performance set and must provide a set list in their application. Sets will be no more than an hour long. Accommodations regarding performance length can be made at the discretion of the musicians and OSU Art Festival organizers. Musicians should make arrangements to accommodate rain. Festival organizers and OSU are not responsible for damages to musicians’ equipment or personal property.
Weather
- The Festival will be held outdoors rain or shine; please come prepared with umbrellas, canopies, or tents if desired. In case of very severe weather, we will not relocate to an indoor facility but may consider canceling the Festival.
- Oklahoma State University (OSU) reserves the right to deny space or exhibition of any work we feel has been misrepresented.
PUBLICITY WAIVER STATEMENT
- If selected for participation in the 2024 OSU Art Festival, I authorize the use of the name submitted with this application for publicity or documentation.
- Oklahoma State University, 2024 OSU Art Festival, reserves the right to make final interpretation of all rules.
LIABILITY RELEASE
- Although every care will be taken, you understand Oklahoma State University and/or its members will not be responsible for the loss or damage of equipment while at the Festival, or while in transit. We encourage you to provide your own liability insurance.
- The undersigned agrees that Oklahoma State University or any of their agents, agencies, boards or staff, shall be released from liability, claims or demands whatsoever in the event of any accident or injury to said participant resulting directly or indirectly from their participation in an Oklahoma State University event.
- The undersigned Artist discharges Oklahoma State University and the 2023 OSU Art Festival, of and from all manner of actions, suits, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law or equity, from any loss or damage to the Artist’s property, while in the possession, supervision, or auspices of the 2023 OSU Art Festival, its agents, representatives or employees.