The Bayou City Art Festival, produced by the Art Colony Association Inc. (ACA) and benefiting Houston-area nonprofits, is inviting artists to apply for the opportunity to showcase and sell their work at the nation’s premier spring outdoor art festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 2026, in Downtown Houston. The artist application deadline for the spring 2026 festival is Monday, December 1, 2025, at midnight CST.

The festival, held twice annually in the spring and fall, has provided a venue for more than 20,000 artists to connect with thousands of art enthusiasts from around the world. Patrons have the opportunity to meet artists, view original works, and purchase world-class art. The festival also benefits local nonprofits and features live music, food and beverages, entertainment, an Active Imagination Zone, a Middle School Art Competition, a culinary arts stage, and more.

Applications are reviewed by ACA jurors, with more than 1,000 submissions expected from 19 different disciplines. Applicants come from across the globe, including Canada, Mexico, and South America. Only 250 artists will be selected to exhibit at the Spring 2026 festival. Artists with experience in two or fewer juried art festivals are encouraged to apply for the “Emerge: Artists on the Rise” program. Selected participants receive a dedicated booth and may submit an additional fifth image of their work instead of a booth image.

Each festival invites a new panel of five to seven jurors, including artists, collectors, educators, curators, and industry professionals from the performing and literary arts. Jurors are selected based on expertise and professional knowledge to ensure all forms of art are properly represented. Awards at the festival include cash prizes for Best in Show, second and third place, as well as ribbons for Best Booth and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Curatorial Award. Winners also receive jury-exempt status for two years and priority booth placement.

Artists must submit five images and a $50 application fee by the deadline. Selected artists will be notified by December 15, 2025. For more information or to submit an application, visit the Bayou City Art Festival website. 

Since its founding as the Westheimer Art Festival, the Bayou City Art Festival and the Art Colony Association have raised nearly $4 million for local nonprofit programs. The festival provides a premier venue for artists and art lovers, funded in part by City of Houston grants, corporate sponsorships, private contributions, in-kind support, and volunteers. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available through the festival website.