Gasparilla Festival of the Arts 2026 - Emerging Artists

The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts showcases the work of emerging artists representing a diversity of styles and media through the Festival's Emerging Artists Program (EAP). The purpose of the program is to recognize and showcase the work of up-and-coming artists who wish to establish themselves in a professional visual arts career. Fifteen emerging artists are selected to show in the Festival through a collaborative selection process involving the EAP Juror and a special committee comprised of members of the Festival's Board of Directors and Emerging Artists Committee. Selected artists participate at no cost and receive a 10'x10' display tent to showcase their work, plus $425 to reimburse expenses paid on Festival weekend. Although emerging artists do not compete with other Festival artists for prize money, their artwork is reviewed by the Festival Awards Juror who decides which emerging artist will receive the $1,500 Emerging Artist Award.

Applicants must not have an established record as a professional artist showing their work in museums, major galleries or major juried art exhibitions. Additionally, applicants must not make more than 25% of their total annual income from the sale of their artwork and must not be employed professionally as a visual artist working in the medium they intend to present at the festival. Artists must be at least 18 years of age by February 28, 2026. Each applicant must submit three digital images of artwork produced no earlier than January 1, 2022, with completion date, medium and dimensions included. Applications must be submitted electronically through ZAPP by 11:59pm on November 30, 2025, with jury results sent to all applicants in mid-December.

Emerging artists will have the opportunity to participate in several mentoring sessions with established artists and arts administrators intended to build skills and knowledge helpful in a professional career as a visual artist. Past mentoring topics have included skill building for traveling festival artists, accessing new markets, tax concerns for artists, and grant writing. Some sessions may occur in person, but all will be available on Zoom and recorded for those who reside outside of Central Florida.