EAST LANSING, Mich. — The artist and emerging artist application deadline for the 46th Annual East Lansing Art Festival is fast approaching. Artists and emerging artist interested in exhibiting at the 2009 festival must submit their application by Jan. 31, 2009.

The 46th Annual East Lansing Art Festival will take place May 16, 2009 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and May, 17, 2009 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The festival annually welcomes more than 200 talented artists from across the United States and Canada to the streets of downtown East Lansing. Rated one of the top art festivals in the country, the East Lansing Art Festival draws an estimated attendance of 70,000 from across the nation and Canada. In addition to artist exhibitors, the festival features an Emerging Artist Program, free performances on two stages, an international-style food court and a hands-on art activities area for children. A qualified on-site jury awards exhibiting artists with cash awards, totaling an estimated $6,000.

ARTIST APPLICATION INFORMATION

Artists and crafts people interested in participating in the 46th Annual East Lansing Art Festival can showcase the following accepted media at the event: paintings, printmaking, drawings, photography, digital art, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, sculptures, functional and non-functional ceramics, metalsmithing, glass, wood, fibers, jewelry and leather. Three images of an artist’s work and one image of an artist’s booth must be submitted with an artist application by Jan. 31, 2009 for consideration. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of art experts for inclusion in the festival after the application deadline.

Artists can apply online through Zapplication, www.zapplication.org, a universal online application for art shows across the United States. Although Zapplication is the preferred method of application, the East Lansing Art Festival can also be contacted at mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com to request a paper application. The application fee is $30 for those using the Zapplication process and $40 if applying through the mail with a paper application. Accepted artists must have original work for sale and must be on site the entire weekend of the festival. No representatives, brokers, imports or commercially-made items or forms are permitted. The artist booth fee is $230.

EMERGING ARTIST APPLICATION INFORMATION

Eligibility for the Emerging Artist Program requires applicants to be currently enrolled in, recently graduated from or affiliated (within 2-3 years) with a university, college or art school. All emerging artist applicants will be reviewed and selected by a panel of art experts. Selection will be based upon quality, creativity, design, technical competence and presentation. The East Lansing Art Festival will waive the $230 booth fee for all emerging artists.

Artists interested in applying to the Emerging Artist Program must submit an application and four images of their work by Jan. 31, 2009. The following media will be accepted: painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, digital art, 2-D and 3-D mixed media, sculpture, functional and non-functional ceramics, metalsmithing, glass, wood, fibers, jewelry and leather. Artists are required to be present at all times designated.

Similar to the artist application process, the preferred method for emerging artists to apply is through online registration at www.zapplication.org. The online application fee is $30 (use coupon code: ELAF09EMRG and indicate your category as “Emerging Artist”). The paper mail-in application fee is $40. Emerging artists can request a paper application by e-mailing mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com.

Artists and emerging artists can find more details by visiting www.elartfest.com or calling (517) 319-6804.