Emerging Artist Program
EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM (EAP)
Applications for Emerging Artists and Mentors Are Open
Applications Close: July 15, 2026
To Apply
Mentor Application
Emerging Artist Application
Before applying:
- Review the Emerging Artist Program Prospectus (includes fair rules and eligibility requirements for both applying emerging artists and mentors).
- Join or renew your membership with Tennessee Craft if you haven’t already. Only current members are eligible to exhibit in the Emerging Artist Program.
- If you have further questions regarding the Emerging Makers Tent, please contact the show’s Fair Director.
Fair Fair Dates: October 9-11, 2026
FRI 10AM-6PM | SAT 10AM-6PM | SUN 10AM-4PM
Artist Load-In and Set-up Date: Thurs., Oct. 8th
The Emerging Artist Program is an exclusive opportunity, with a heightened educational curriculum-based component, for member artists interested in taking their craft business to the next level. In the Emerging Artist Program tent at the fair, up to 18 artists learn in a shared group tent from two mentors who will be share the space on-site during the fair. Emerging artists sell their artwork in this entrepreneurial environment to gain practical experience with exhibiting their work at a major art show. This experience is designed to help emerging makers take the next step toward exhibiting as independent artists on the main tent circle at Tennessee Craft fairs. For those of you who are familiar with past Tennessee Craft Fairs’ Emerging Makers Tent program, this newly designed Emerging Artist Program’s shared group space will not be structured into chapter sections. Focus is no longer chapter affiliation, but offering this educational experience to THE emerging artists. Emerging Artists in the fairs’ EAP will each be conducting all aspects of their artwork’s fair exhibition and retail.
Emerging makers may be artists of any age or background who are:
- beginning their craft career,
- working in a new medium, or
- not experienced in exhibiting at a major art show as an individual artist with their own booth.
