Art State Arizona Festival Jury Process

ART STATE ARIZONA FESTIVAL & EVENT ARTIST JURY PROCESS & QUALIFICATIONS

Over 500 artists will exhibit in Art State Arizona’s (formerly SAACA’s) Festival Season. Images submitted by applications will be reviewed by a panel in a blind review jury process. ALL artwork must be handmade by the artist presenting and selling the materials or must directly supervise the production of the art by a limited number of assistants or employees. Applications will not be considered complete if an image of the artist producing their work in studio is not attached.

Vendors that buy/sell goods or mass-produced items are ineligible to apply as an artist and must apply under the exhibitor application. Exhibitor applications are in limited quantities and not subject to the formal artist jury process but will be evaluated on a case-by-case application.

Art State Arizona has the final authority to determine if the artist applicant meets these guidelines.

Questions? Contact festivals@artstateaz.org.

Jury Criteria

Vendors will be juried based on:

1. The creativity and craftsmanship of the work
2. Presentation of booth display
3. How the work will add to the value of the overall festival

Artwork is considered solely on the merit of the work projected. The better the image presented, the better your opportunity for this highly competitive jury process.

The jury is comprised of anonymous art and event professionals. They are provided with the artist statement and submitted photography. A well-balanced show of artistic excellence, quality, creativity, and overall impression of work are the criteria for the selection of exhibitors. Art State Arizona does not have any quotas for category mediums. The top applicant scores receive invitations based on jury dates; the balance of artists in the final round is retained to comprise a waiting list of alternates. Decisions of the jury panel are final.

Guidance for Jurors

• Selection criteria are based on artistic excellence: quality, creativity, and overall impression of original hand-crafted work.
• There is no entitlement or quota per category or ratio of applications received.
• The goal is a show representative of diverse styles, techniques, and price ranges.
• Jurors are asked to utilize their expertise, but also look beyond personal preference, aiming for a diverse, well-balanced show formed by consensus.
• Jurors provide critical and honest observations with respect and understanding. While opinions may differ, the final balance is reached by consensus.

Jury Process FAQ

Number of jurors scoring applications:

4–5 depending on the size of the festival

Juror scoring scale:

1–10

How artists are selected:

• Quality of artwork
• Booth presentation
• Overall value to festival

How images are viewed by jurors: TV screen and/or computer monitor

Vendors excluded/ineligible:
Mass-produced or buy/sell

Application presentation to jurors:
Single panel scoring across all mediums

Images required (5 total):

1. Three images of individual pieces of work
2. One image of the artist creating work
3. One image of booth or display showing continuity and presentation

Appeal process:
Decisions of the jury panel may be appealed within 7 days of notification.