Gasparilla Festival of the Arts 2027 - Emerging Artists Program

The Emerging Artists Program showcases up-and-coming artists establishing professional visual arts careers. Fifteen artists are selected by the EAP Juror and a committee to participate in the Tampa festival without a booth fee, with a provided 10'x10' display tent. Each receives a $450 stipend on Festival weekend to reimburse expenses. One emerging artist receives the Emerging Artist Award, including a $1,500 cash prize. Selected artists also participate in mentoring sessions with established artists and arts administrators.

Applicants must not have an established record as a professional artist showing work in museums, major galleries, or major juried art exhibitions; must not earn more than 25% of their total annual income from artwork sales; and must not be employed professionally as a visual artist in the medium they intend to present. Applicants must be at least 18 years old by March 6, 2027. Submit electronically three digital images of artwork produced no earlier than January 1, 2024; each image must include the work's completion date, medium, and dimensions. The application fee is $10. The page gives November 30, 2026 as the deadline, but lists 12:00 AM PST in Key Details and 11:59pm in the application instructions; verify the cutoff time on Zapplication. Jury results will be sent in mid-December. Selected artists participate in mentoring sessions; some occur in person, but all are available on Zoom and recorded for those outside Central Florida. Artists must be available to load in no later than the Friday before Festival weekend and attend all open hours: Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. The Festival is outdoors in a city-owned park, with no refunds due to weather or other events affecting attendance. Selected artists pay no booth fee and receive a 10'x10' display tent. Each receives a $450 stipend paid on Festival weekend to reimburse expenses; one emerging artist receives a $1,500 cash prize through the Emerging Artist Award.