Lakefront Festival of Art 2026

Milwaukee's Lakefront Festival of Art (LFOA) is celebrating 61 years as one of the most highly rated art festivals in the country. This outdoor festival takes place rain or shine on the magnificent shoreline of Lake Michigan on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum from June 12-14, 2026. The festival proudly features 150 professional fine artists across 15 disciplines, welcoming more than 16,000 art-loving attendees over three days.

Presented by Friends of Art (FOA), a support organization of the nonprofit Milwaukee Art Museum, net proceeds support exhibitions and art acquisition for the museum, cultivate leaders and volunteers, and promote awareness of the visual arts. Applications are due December 13, 2025, with artist notification on January 13, 2026. The non-refundable entry fee is $45 and booth fee is $575. Artists must submit six images (five art images and one booth image) and be present throughout the entire festival.

A total of $10,000 in awards will be presented, with ten awards of $1,000 each determined by jurors based on the artist's entire presentation. Award-winning artists are automatically invited back the following year and receive a commemorative artwork. Artist benefits include website listing, complimentary meals, 24-hour security, free museum admission, and convenient load-in/out access. Artists retain all sales proceeds and are responsible for Wisconsin sales tax (7.9%).