2027 Craft Objects & Design Atlanta Application

Eligibility criteria and exhibitor requirements.

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

Exhibitors who wish to apply with multiple mediums are required to submit a separate application for each one. ACC limits the number of applications to three per artist.

If an applicant submits an application that includes more than one medium category, ACC will ask the applicant to resubmit with only one medium. For example: if an applicant intends to sell both sculptural glass and lighting made with glass, separate applications are needed for each: one application for the medium of Glass and one application for Lighting. If the booth will contain solely lighting products, apply under the Lighting medium. Or, if an applicant intends to sell both furniture and sculptural pieces from wood, separate applications are needed for each. Wooden jewelry falls under the medium of Jewelry Non-Metal.

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, applicants must be able to meet the following requirements to participate in Craft Objects & Design Atlanta:

• Exhibitors 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.
• Exhibitors must be present for the duration of the fair. Exhibitors’ employees or sales representatives may not substitute for the exhibitor.
• Exhibitors must have a valid state sales tax permit from each state in which they are participating. 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 eligibility.

Early Career Artist subsidized booths are a feature of ACC’s Early Career Artist Program, designed to help early-career artists enter the high-end craft fair market. It lowers barriers to participation by providing a reasonable entry point to an established craft fair and gives new exhibitors guidance and structure to help them succeed. Artists are given a 10w x 5d exhibition space within the fair’s early-career artist section, highlighting the work of talented early-career artists in the field.

ACC prioritizes early-career artists within their first 3 years of having a subsidized booth at any ACC fair. There is no cap on how many times an artist may have a subsidized booth; however, we receive many applications, and ACC will prioritize early-career artists who are new to the fair.

If an Early Career Artist Program artist applies for a subsidized booth and is waitlisted, they will be offered the opportunity to move to and participate in a non-subsidized booth on the main floor. It is uncommon for early-career artists to withdraw; we tend to see minimal movement on the early-career artist booth waitlist.

Application image & bio guidelines.

Application images must accurately represent the work being submitted and allow the jury to clearly evaluate its materials, craftsmanship, and overall quality. AI-generated, AI-altered, or heavily manipulated images are not permitted. Basic photographic adjustments, such as cropping, exposure, and color correction, are acceptable as long as they do not materially alter the work’s appearance. Images should focus on the work itself, with minimal props, backgrounds, or other visual distractions.

Images Required

• 5 images of artwork
• 1 booth image
  *Booth images must be accurate representations of the artist’s display

Photo Requirements

Applicants must submit five clear images of their work and one indoor booth image. Images must be .jpg, .tiff, or .png high-resolution files (72 ppi – 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. For more details on image requirements and uploading files, please visit this Zapplication page.

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.

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

Artist Bio for Promotion

Applicants must submit a short (600 characters or less) artist statement. This should tell us who you are as a maker, what you make, and how you make it. This should tell a narrative, draw us into your work, and provide a snapshot of your work. 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.

A jury of outside professionals selects applicants to participate in Craft Objects & Design Atlanta. Jurors score each application individually based on work samples, application answers, product image quality, 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: Be clear and concise, with no extra background noise. The work should showcase the artist’s individual voice, feature high-quality images, and form a cohesive body of work.
• Craftsmanship, Composition, Command of Medium and Technique: Demonstrates a high degree of difficulty, elements flow together, outstanding mastery of medium and its uses, and the composition works as a whole.
• Presentation, Storytelling, Narrative: Mastery of presentation context, understands and communicates their work through a clear and concise narrative, and can identify their market and customer base.

Once final jury scores are submitted and compiled, ACC staff will invite artists to participate or be placed on a waitlist based on the scores of their work and curatorial needs for a balanced fair. Applicants who wish to apply for multiple medium categories must submit an application for each medium. ACC limits the number of applications to three per artist.

Waitlist policy.

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

When a waitlist space becomes available, ACC will call and leave a message, in addition to sending an email. Applicants have 48 hours (Monday through Friday) to respond with whether they would like to take the space.

If an artist submits multiple applications, is accepted under one, and is waitlisted for the others, the waitlisted work may not represent more than one-third of the booth under the accepted application. However, if the artist’s number on the waitlist is reached, the artist may choose to include the waitlisted work in any proportion.

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.

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.

Refund policy.

If an artist 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 must be made in writing to [email protected], ACC Programs & Events Staff