ArtFairCalendar.com has announced the results of its 4th annual "America's Best Art Fairs" survey. This survey is the only national online listing of the country's juried art fairs and craft shows, designed to reward the festivals that create opportunities for artists to sell their work.
The study opens the voting beyond the traditional "art fair insiders" such as artists and show organizers to focus on voting by art fair patrons, fine art collectors and the public that attends art shows and festivals nationwide, every event needs these 3 groups of people to make it work: show organizers, artists and the art buyers.
We asked our mailing list of over 55,000 art fair patrons what was the best art fair in the country and had an outstanding nationwide response. Nearly 90% of the respondents completed our lengthy 25 question survey and the answers were both expected and intriguing.
The winners reflect who voted. The winning shows shared the survey, got their constituents involved and knew that the resulting PR would pay off for their event. Just like in any election its all about getting out the vote.
Best City for Art Fairs: Chicago
Chicago has it all, indoor and outdoor art fairs. 10 of this city's shows were voted into the Top 50, with 6 of them in the Top 20. Congrats to this city full of art lovers. Making a trip to the Windy City? Plan it so you too can catch an art festival. Our list of Chicago events.
Our #1 art fair is the Old Town Art Fair for the second year in a row.
The show earned more than double the votes of any other event.
Survey said:
- The setting is fantastic in the historic Old Town Neighborhood. It has a wide variety of artists with high quality art. We buy art here always.
- great art, great city - What could be better than Old Town Chicago????
- PERFECT mix of art, culture, food and FUN
2016 AMERICA'S BEST ART FAIRS - the Top Ten
- Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, June 10 & 11, 2017
- The Ann Arbor Art Fairs, Ann Arbor, MI (all 4), July 20-23, 2017
- One of a Kind Show and Sale, Chicago - Dec. 1-4, 2016
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL- March 18-20, 2016 (image at right)
- La Quinta Arts Festival, La Quinta, CA - March 2-5, 2017
- Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original, Ann Arbor, MI - July 20-23, 2017
- *Saint Louis Art Fair, Saint Louis, MO - Sept. 8-10, 2017
- *St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY - Oct. 6-8, 2017
- Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO - July 3-5, 2016
- *Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Cedar Key, FL - April 8 & 9, 2017
Our entire Top 50 art festivals, a year round listing to encourage "art fair tourism": www.BestArtFairs.com
* - new to the Top Ten
At that link also find
- who took the survey
- why people come to art shows
- what they buy, why they buy and why they don't come to some shows any more, including a lot of great tips for show organizers.
For more anecdotal information listen to a recent podcast with Lynn Smith, vice chair of the Old Town Art Fair, where she shares her insights on why the OTAF garners so much enthusiasm throughout the greater metropolitan area, making it a "must attend" event. Art buyers from Florida and Ohio also join us to tell us why they attend art fairs and buy art. Winners! 2015 Best Art Fairs
Show directors, we have prepared an extensive report full of
helpful information with insider information from experts who already know how to produce a successful art fair including:
- Our analysis of the extensive survey results and how to use them to make your show a "best art fair"
- 5 Important Keys to a Successful Art Fair +++
- Our 5 favorite ideas for encouraging buyers to attend
See the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/
ArtFairCalendar.com's mission is to promote the American tradition of art fairs by showcasing events where art collectors find hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind fine work and encourage the interaction of client and creator.
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