Grand Marais Arts Festival 2026

The Grand Marais Arts Festival is the 35th annual event organized by the Grand Marais Art Colony, a nonprofit arts organization established in 1947. Located on the Lake Superior harborfront in Grand Marais, Minnesota, the festival draws over 10,000 visitors and is known for its high-quality exhibitors and well-established, art-loving community. The festival will accept 60 10 x 10 booth spots. Artists of all fine arts mediums are encouraged to apply, including ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, metal, printmaking, leather, sculpture, and wood.

Applications must be received by February 23, 2026. Applicants must submit 5 images of their artwork via Zapplication. The jury fee is $35 (non-refundable). Notification of acceptance will be sent by March 16, 2026. Accepted artists must pay the booth fee by March 23, 2026, or forfeit their place. The external jury is comprised of professional artists and arts retailers who score submissions on excellence in composition and design (30%), originality and clarity of artistic intent (30%), cohesive body of work and visual voice (30%), and customer appeal and salability (10%).

The festival runs July 11-12, 2026, with hours 9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. This is an outdoor event; artists must provide their own 10 x 10-foot tent. No electric access is available. Reported average sales per artist is $3,300. Two artists may share one booth space if both submit applications and are accepted; shared booths pay two jury fees ($35 each) and one booth fee ($225 total). Awards include Best of Show and Best Booth, with winners automatically accepted into the next year's show and jury fee waived. Overnight security, booth sitting volunteers, and other amenities are provided.