2027 Craft Objects & Design Atlanta Community Booth Application

Eligibility criteria and exhibitor requirements.

All Community Booth exhibitors must meet the same eligibility criteria as individual ACC fair exhibitors:

• Applicants must reside in the United States or U.S. territories
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time the fair occurs.
• Submitted work must be a small-studio production made under the applicant’s direct supervision. Direct supervision requires that the artist oversee production as it occurs and provide constant direction, feedback, and assistance.
• ACC requires that the majority of the work the artist sells at the fair be produced in the United States by or under the artist’s direct supervision. ACC allows for international collaboration as long as the artist is present, making or directly supervising the work while it is being made in that country. No more than 30% of the work may be made outside the United States.

ACC reserves the right to require authentication of the production process at any time by requesting documentary evidence.

Artists working in the following mediums are eligible to apply and participate:

• Accessories
  • An accessory is an item that is added to an outfit to complement it, express personality, and complete a look, rather than being a primary piece of clothing. Handmade items, such as bags, purses, and belts, are suitable for this medium. 
  • Jackets and coats are accepted in the Fibers + Textiles Wearable category.
  • Accessories do not include jewelry, which is its own medium.
• Basketry
• Brooms 
• Ceramics 
• Fiber + Textiles: Non-wearable 
  • Non-wearable fiber-based creations, which include, but are not limited to, tapestries, wall hangings, upholstery, rugs, banners, and sculptures created using various techniques such as weaving, knitting, hand-dying, and embroidery.
• Fiber + Textiles: Wearable (New!)
  • Wearable items such as scarves, gloves, hats, ties/bow ties, jackets, coats, blazers, vests, sweaters, pants, skirts, dresses, and tops. If you also make either clothing and/or accessories, you will need to submit separate applications for each.
• Furniture 
• Glass 
• Jewelry – Enamel
• Jewelry – Metal
• Jewelry – Non-Metal
• Lighting 
• Metal 
  • Sculptural or decorative work made from metal. No jewelry will be accepted in this category.
• Mixed Media 
  • The combination of two or more eligible materials, as outlined in the approved mediums list, within a single piece. For example, a sculptural object made from wood and glass. 
  • Pieces made from found objects must result in a distinctive final product. 
  • The American Craft Council does not accept materials and processes related to painting, drawing, or photography. This includes encaustic painting techniques, collage, and other processes related to painting and drawing. 
  • We accept forms of printmaking – please see the medium definition below. 
• Paper 
  • Original works that use paper as the primary medium, including the traditional technique of book arts.
  • This does not include book authors or published books.
• Printmaking 
  • Original printed works in which the artist hand-manipulates prepared plates or blocks to create images or designs. It can be printed on various materials, including, but not limited to, paper, fabric, wood, and metal. Prints must be signed and numbered as a limited edition. Screen printing is accepted. Printmakers are required to disclose their printing process. 
  • The ACC does not accept embellished commercially-made objects like t-shirts, note cards, etc. Photography, digital printing, and other methods that primarily rely on technology are not accepted.
• Wood
  • Original works, whether functional or sculptural, that are primarily crafted from wood and do not include furniture, which is its own medium.

ACC does not accept:

• Craft kits as a product type
• 2D work such as paintings, photographs, or graphics (including etchings and web- or sheet-fed offset printed matter). ACC does accept printmaking
• Manufactured work (work made by a machine rather than the human hand)
• Embellished commercially-made objects (e.g., T-shirts, note cards, etc.)
• Works assembled from commercially available kits
• Work that is not produced by the applicant or under the direct supervision of the applicant. 
• Consumables such as candles, apothecary, or food products. 
• Work that incorporates unsustainable and/or endangered species or materials.

Exhibitor requirements.

In addition to meeting all eligibility criteria, each artist within the Community Booth must be able to meet the following requirements to participate in Craft Objects & Design Atlanta:

• Each artist must present work consistent with the type and quality represented in the application submission.
• All booths must have 8-foot-tall “walls” that cover the interior of the entire booth. 8-foot pipe and drape is included in the booth fee for 2027 Craft Objects + Design Atlanta.
• Each artist must be present for the duration of the fair. Exhibitors’ employees or sales representatives may not substitute for the exhibitor.
• Each individual artist must have a valid state sales tax permit from each state in which they are participating, unless there is only one point of sale. If that is the case, the Community Booth lead will need to obtain the valid state sales tax permit. Exhibitors are responsible for collecting and reporting sales tax where applicable.

ACC reserves the right to require authentication of the production process at any time by requesting documentary evidence.

Early Career Artist Program.

For Community Booths that include early-career artists, participation in ACC’s Early Career Artist Program is highly encouraged, though not mandatory. This program is designed to help early-career artists enter the high-end craft fair market. It gives new exhibitors guidance and structure to help them succeed. In addition to virtual professional development programs and additional resources, it offers program participants exclusive access to $100,000 in grants, steeply discounted booth fees to showcase your work at premier craft fairs nationwide when an artist is ready to go solo, and more – all on top of the full benefits of ACC membership. Check eligibility here.

Photo requirements.

Community Booth applicants must include:

• A logo or an image that represents the collective artists.
• One clear product image per participating artist showcasing the work that best represents them
• One booth image showcasing the collective’s work (optional)

Images must be .jpg, .tiff, or .png high-resolution files (72–300 ppi) and must be representative of the body of work that will be exhibited at the fair. Ideally, images must be 1400 px on the longest side. The maximum file size is 5 MB. Individual artists with multiple medium categories in their work must choose the medium category that best represents what they will sell at the fair. ACC limits the number of mediums to three per artist.

Images, bio, and Q&A within the application may be used by the ACC Marketing Department to promote artists, artists’ work, and/or Craft Objects & Design Atlanta.

*We are not a blind jury; there is no need to omit names, logos, or other indicators of who you are in your images.

Group Bio for Promotion

In 600 characters or less, give us an overview of the community group. This should be media-ready, as ACC may utilize it to promote the group as a whole through various channels, including signage, social media, our website, and more. The goal of writing this statement is to provide ACC with additional information and background for potential promotional use.

If accepted into the fair, this bio may be used by the ACC Marketing Department to promote artists, artists’ work, and/or Craft Objects & Design Atlanta.

*We are not a blind jury; there is no need to omit names or other indicators of who you are in your statement. Please write in the first person for your statement.

Jury process.

Community Booths are selected to participate in Craft Objects & Design Atlanta by a jury of professionals in the field. Jurors score each Community Booth application as a whole, based on work samples, application answers, quality of product images, brand, composition, and command of medium and technique.

Each factor listed below is graded on a scale from 1 (low) to 7 (high). 

• Imagery, Brand, Originality: Work is presented through clear, high-quality images that minimize distractions. The application reflects the artist’s individual voice and presents a cohesive body of work.
• Design and Composition: Demonstrates thoughtful design, strong visual composition, and an intentional approach to form, function, materials, and aesthetics. Elements work together to create a cohesive and well-considered piece.
• Craftsmanship, Command of Medium and Technique: Demonstrates a high level of technical skill, attention to detail, and mastery of materials and processes. Work is well executed and reflects a strong understanding of the medium and its possibilities.
• Presentation and Professionalism: Work is presented clearly and consistently. The applicant demonstrates an understanding of how to present their work to an audience and identify their intended market or customer base.

After juror scores are submitted and compiled, ACC staff will invite groups to participate or place them on a waitlist based on their work scores and curatorial needs for a balanced fair. If there is an artist in the group who works in multiple mediums, they should select the medium category that best represents the majority of the work they plan to bring to the fair.

Waitlist policy.

Community Booths are assigned waitlist numbers based on jury score and categories. ACC will continue to invite waitlisted groups up to a week before the fair as spaces open in their categories. ACC cannot predict when, or if, a space will become available, or guarantee that a waitlisted group will receive their first booth size or location choice.

When a waitlist space becomes available, ACC will call and leave a message for the group’s lead contact, in addition to sending an email. The lead will have 48 hours (Monday through Friday) to respond whether they would like to take the space or not.

Event marketing.

The American Craft Council promotes Craft Objects & Design Atlanta nationwide through digital marketing, social media, email marketing, and public relations activities. It places particular emphasis on promotion within the Atlanta area.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that the American Craft Council may use submitted images, biographical information, and responses to application questions for promotional and communications purposes, including to highlight participating artists, their work, and American Craft Council programs and events.

Refund policy.

If a Community Booth withdraws (cancels) from the event, all fees are nonrefundable except in a handful of cases. Exceptions for refunds:

• Bodily harm resulting in an inability to exhibit
• Unexpected death in the family/close relations
• Act of god (accidents, natural disaster)
• Testing positive for coronavirus

All cancellations need to be made to the Programs & Events at [email protected]

Fair Programs

Craft Objects & Design Atlanta features a special series of programs and initiatives designed to showcase and engage the Atlanta community and give visitors opportunities to explore the world of craft.

Peer Support Program

Did you know the American Craft Council put on its first craft fair in 1966? Our long history has shown that the key to a successful craft fair is to build and nurture a strong community of artists and makers who support and guide each other. ACC’s Peer Support Program aims to facilitate connections and build a supportive craft ecosystem.

ACC’s Peer Support Program connects craftspeople seeking mentorship with artists who have years of experience running a craft business and exhibiting in fairs. Paired-up exhibitors are expected to share tips, guidance, feedback, and support with one another before and during our fairs. If you are an experienced ACC exhibitor who can volunteer your time and expertise or a new artist hoping to gain knowledge and tips, this is the program for you.

Early Career Artist Section

This juried showcase provides a pathway for early-career artists into our established craft fairs. With portions of expenses underwritten by ACC, professional development support, and craft fair award opportunities, this program gives early-career artists an unparalleled opportunity to grow their clientele and professional practice. Artists who would like to apply for subsidized booths in the Early Career Artist Section must be in ACC’s Early Career Artist Program.

Let’s Make!

Let’s Make! is an interactive space at Craft Objects & Design Atlanta showcasing the processes and skills involved in making handcrafted goods. Explore fun demonstrations and engaging activities led by regional arts organizations, partners, and businesses.