Alden B. Dow Museum Summer Art Fair 2026

The Alden B. Dow Museum presents the 58th Annual Summer Art Fair, held outdoors on Main Street in Downtown Midland. The fair features over 100 artists exhibiting original fine art and craft work, along with local musical entertainment, a Children's area with art activities, artist demonstrations, and food. Admission is free to the public. Proceeds benefit museum exhibitions, art and science classes, workshops, outreach and educational programs.

The fair is open to all artists who exhibit work of original concept, design and execution. Work must be the original creation of the artist and cannot be made with commercial kits, molds, plans, prefabricated pieces, or mass production methods. Vendors whose primary sales come from non-art items such as soaps, oils, candles, cosmetics, MLM merchandise, sauces, or pet treats will not be accepted. Jewelers must be the designers and hands-on makers of their work; purchased gems may be used but assembled, prefabricated jewelry is not allowed. Commercial prints of photographs using non-photographic methods are not permitted.

Each exhibitor receives a 10' x 10' open space and must provide all display equipment and weather protection. Booth fees are $250 for museum members and $270 for non-members; double booths are $400 (members) and $440 (non-members). Artists may submit up to 2 entries at $40 for the first entry and $5 per additional medium. Approximately 100 artists are accepted through a blind jury process based on image quality and originality. Award winners are selected by street jury: Best of Show ($1000), Second Place ($750), and Third Place ($500). The fair runs May 30-31, 2026, with artist setup on May 30 from 6am-9am. Cancellations by May 1, 2026 receive a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee; no refunds after that date. Each artist is responsible for collection and payment of 6% Michigan sales tax. Artist must be present with their work for the duration of the fair.