Art on the Square 2026

Welcome to the 24th Annual Art on the Square – One of the nation's top juried fine arts festivals presenting the work of approximately 100 artists which takes place on the Public Square in Belleville, IL in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Art on the Square is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by an all-volunteer executive board with the assistance of hundreds of community volunteers. The show has been in the top 1% of art fairs since its inception in 2002 and is known for its innovative Art Cash program. In addition, Art on the Square offers $32,000 in artist awards including Best of Show ($5,000), 4 Named Awards of $500 to $3,000, 11 Best of Category awards ($1,500) and 8 awards of excellence ($500 each).

The festival features strong average attendance of over 60,000 visitors, regional advertising worth more than $100,000 and a reputation for great hospitality. The event takes place Friday, May 15 (4:00PM-9:00PM), Saturday, May 16 (10:00AM-7:00PM), and Sunday, May 17 (11:00AM-4:00PM), 2026 on the historic Public Square in downtown Belleville at the intersection of Main Street and Illinois Street. Artists must submit 4 images representing the complete range of work they plan to show plus a required booth image. All work must be original and created within the last three years.

The show provides artists with complimentary meals, snacks and water delivered to booths throughout the weekend, direct booth access for set-up and loading, twenty-four hour security provided by the Belleville Police, and free electrical service to all booths. Art on the Square accepts work in multiple categories including Ceramics, Digital or Graphic Design, Drawing or Printmaking, Fine Craft, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Wood. The application is free with notification on February 1, 2026.