Applications
Artist Applications
Iowa Arts Festival – June 6-8, 2025
The Iowa Arts Festival features a juried art fair where over 100 artists can present and display their craft. You can see past artists here.
Please note that this is a juried fine art show. There is no Arts and Crafts category to which to apply.
The 2025 Art Fair application is now closed.
ELIGIBILITY AND REGULATIONS: All artists age 18 and above are eligible. Artists may only display and sell original artwork in the category in which they are accepted and must be present for the duration of the event. An artist may sell prints of original artwork, but those prints may not comprise more than 50% of the work displayed for sale. Commercially manufactured items, import items, food, commercially cast jewelry, or works of art from molds and kits are not acceptable.
Timeline
- Deadline to apply: March 1, 2025
- Application fee: $35.00; booth fee if accepted: $235 for a 10’x10′ space
- Jury dates: March 2-20, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: by March 25, 2025
- Deadline to pay: April 10, 2025; no refund after May 3, 2025
Iowa Arts Festival – Emerging Artist Area, June 7-8, 2025
The Emerging Artist Area at the Iowa Arts Festival showcases students from Iowa colleges, universities and high schools AND young people between the ages of 16-25 who are not enrolled in high school or college.
The 2025 Emerging Artist Area application is closed.
Timeline
- Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2025
- Notification of acceptance by: April 11, 2025
- Booth fee: $35.00
- Deadline to pay: April 25, 2025
Iowa City Jazz Festival – Artist Row, July 4-6, 2025
A limited number of Artist Vendor Booths are available for the Iowa City Jazz Festival each year.
The 2025 Iowa City Jazz Festival Artist Application is closed.
To read the 2025 Rules and Regulations, click HERE.
HOURS
Friday, July 4: 5:00PM – 8:30PM
Saturday, July 5: 11:30AM – 8:30PM
Sunday, July 6: 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Timeline
- Deadline to apply: April 1, 2025
- Notification of acceptance by: April 15, 2025
- Booth fee for a 10′ x 10′ space: $200
- Deadline to pay: April 29, 2025
Performers Applications
Festival Performers
- Friday Night Concert Series
- Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings
- Iowa Arts Festival
- Iowa City Jazz Festival
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025 season.
Summer of the Arts festivals feature a variety of opportunities for musical performers and entertainers.
Please review the information for each series and festival below, then fill out the Musician/Entertainer form.
PLEASE NOTE: We receive a high volume of inquiries and are not able to respond to everyone. If the festival committee is interested in booking your act, they will contact you. If they are not interested at this time, they will not contact you.
Friday Night Concert Series
This weekly event primarily books area bands up to 100 miles from Iowa City, and bands with ties to Eastern Iowa. Bands play on the Ped Mall Stage.
Rhythms at Riverfront Crossings
This event primarily books area bands up to 100 miles from Iowa City, and bands with ties to Eastern Iowa. Bands play on a mobile stage in Riverfront Crossings Park.
Iowa Arts Festival
The Main Stage typically features local openers and national or international headliners working in many genres. This festival historically featured rock, folk, bluegrass, and Americana/roots music.
The Ped Mall Stage primarily features local entertainment suitable for children and families including solo acts, acoustic performances, world music, and dance.
Street Entertainment primarily features local entertainment suitable for children and families including solo acts, acoustic performances, and small groups.
Iowa City Jazz Festival
The Main Stage features well-known national and international acts.
The Side Stage features state, local, college, and youth performers.
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Performers
- Market Music
- Party in the Park
- Other Parks & Rec opportunities as available
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025 season.
The Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department contracts with Summer of the Arts to book Market Music, Party in the Park, and other events as needed.
Please review the information for each event below. Please fill out the Musician/Entertainer form.
Deadline to apply: January 31, 2025.
- Performers are required to provide their own sound equipment.
- Pay for Market Music is $400.
- Pay for Party in the Park is $300.
Booking info:
- If you are selected as a potential performer, you will receive an email in early 2025 asking for your availability for the appropriate event.
- Once availability is confirmed, you will be notified of the date you are scheduled to perform at which time you’ll need to complete the contract and W-9 form for the City.
- You will be required to provide a short bio and photo for promotional purposes.
- If you are NOT selected for 2025, please feel free to apply again in 2026. We will only contact those selected to perform.
Market Music
Individuals and small groups perform Saturday mornings 9 AM-12 PM at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market, in the Chauncey Swan Park.
Party in the Park
Party in the Park events are held at a different Iowa City park each week during the summer, Thursday evenings from 6:30-8 PM.
Food Vendor Applications
Food Vendors – Iowa Arts Festival and Iowa City Jazz Festival
ALL Summer of the Arts Food Vendors are required to use biodegradable or compostable foodware.
Please download the 2025 Food Vendor Rules and Regulations (PDF) for complete information regarding this area of our festivals.
For more information or if you have questions regarding our application process, contact Marigona Gashi by email or call our office at 319-337-7944.
Timeline
- Deadline to apply: March 1, 2025
- Notification of acceptance: by March 17, 2025
- Payment deadline: April 1, 2025
Booth Fees
- 13′ x 15′: $650 per event
- 13′ x 20′: $965 per event
- 13′ x 25′ $1275 per event
Fun Stops Applications
Fun Stops – Iowa Arts Festival and Iowa City Jazz Festival
Fun Stop booths are perfect for nonprofit organizations and community groups to share information about who they are and what they do. These booths must include a hands-on activity for people of all ages and enhance the festival experience for our attendees by providing opportunities to engage in artmaking and/or creative play. Fun Stop organizations must provide their own tent, weights, tables and chairs. No electricity is available.
For more information, or if you have questions about Fun Stops, please contact Andrea Truitt by email or call our office at 319-337-7944.
Businesses: if you are interested in having a booth, please email Eric Johnson, Development Director, to discuss a Sponsor Booth.
Timeline
- Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2025
- Notification of acceptance by: April 15, 2025
- Deadline to pay: April 29, 2025
Booth Fees
- 10′ x 10′ space, nonprofit/community group: $50