Welcome

The 2025 Tallman Arts Festival (TAF) is a two-day juried fine arts and fine craft show sponsored by the Rock County Historical Society (RCHS). It is held on the grounds surrounding the historic Lincoln-Tallman Museum. This is an outdoor event that goes on rain or shine with no rain dates.

The Tallman Arts Festival strives to enhance the art festival experience for both vendors and attendees. Please notice modifications in this year’s application requirements, designed to assist us in selecting quality fine arts and fine crafts vendors for the festival.

TAF admission this year will be a $5.00 suggested donation in an effort to increase attendance. Proceeds from the festival support the operations and maintain the grounds of the Rock County Historical Society.

Thank you for your support, understanding and interest in participating in the 2025 Tallman Arts Festival.

Important Dates

• Application available:   April 1, 2025
• Acceptance and Notification: Rolling basis
• Final Jury deadline:  July 13, 2025
• Final Notification:     July 17, 2025

2025 Jury Process

The Tallman Arts Festival utilizes a blind jury process to select vendors. Early registration is encouraged. Select vendors who have participated in the festival in the past may be invited to participate at the sole discretion of TAF.

Criteria for selecting vendors include:

• Originality: Jurors look for interpretation that showcases the artist’s individual perspective and creativity.
• Proficiency: Quality of execution will be a determining factor in the selection process.
• Consistency: Evidence of a cohesive body of work that demonstrates the depth of the artists focus and technique.
• Presentation: Jurors look for stand out submissions that contribute to an engaging festival experience.

There will be two application deadlines with a matching jury date. This allows TAF to notify vendors of acceptance as soon as possible while allowing for later applications.  TAF may accept applications submitted after the deadlines at its sole discretion.

In addition to submitting a completed application, each applicant must provide images for the jury process. Please submit at least one image of your booth and two images of the type of work you plan to sell. Only one work of art should be shown in each image of the work you plan to sell.

Submitted files should be labelled with your first initial and last name, a dash, and the content.  Example:  wjones-booth.jpeg or wjones-art1.jpeg.  Apart from the file name, images of art should not reveal the identity of the artist.

Images may be submitted electronically via the TAF website or as photographic prints.  Printed applications, photos, and fees should be mailed to Tallman Arts Festival, 426 N. Jackson Street, Janesville, Wisconsin 53548.

Non-electronic images may be returned to the vendor. If desired, please submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope for image return. Note the important dates for information on the application and jury deadlines.

Separate payments must be submitted for the non-refundable $20.00 application fee and your booth fee. The check for your booth fee will be returned if you are not accepted for TAF.

Booth assignments are made based on the date of the application. Special requests will be considered but not guaranteed.

Awards

TAF acknowledges excellence in artistic achievement. Best of Show and other awards will be announced. These awards will include ribbons, cash prizes, and future festival benefits.

2025 Booth Guidelines

Only the work of one vendor may be exhibited in any booth.

Booth size is limited to a 10’x10 canopy. All art, craft, or display shall be contained within the parameters of the booth. TAF is held on the lawn, and ground may not be level. Please be prepared to level displays, tables, etc.

Vendors must supply their own tent, tables, chairs, etc. The Tallman Arts Festival will not supply any booth materials.

Each booth must be covered by a tent. Art/craft pieces must be displayed on tables, racks, bins, or walls. Only floor or ground installation pieces may be displayed on the ground.

Tables should be covered with an opaque tablecloth that reaches to within inches of the ground. Supplies may be neatly stored under tables.

Tents must be secured with weights within the 10’x10 booth space.

All participants must display an 8×10 typed and framed artist’s statement of 150-200 words. Statements should clearly identify the artist and medium, and provide for the festival audience some insight into the artist’s work. Business cards are encouraged.

Prices for each item must be clearly displayed. Items may not be displayed as on sale or discounted.

Booths shall be set up by 9:30 AM both days of the festival. Set-up is permitted on Friday evening before the show and on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Exact times will be announced with letters of acceptance. Tallman Arts Festival Committee Members reserve the right to review booths for compliance with the guidelines.

Booths shall not be taken down before closing time each day except in the case of an announced emergency. Leaving the show early without permission may be cause for rejection of any future festival application.

2025 Artist Eligibility

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

All work on display and for sale must be original work created by the artist. Tallman Arts Festival accepts both fine artists and crafters. A Crafter’s Market will be organized for vendors whose work focuses on skilled creation of practical objects. Craft entries may make use of kits, commercial molds, or patterns.

Hospitality

The grounds open at 6 AM each morning for registered artists and vendors. Complimentary coffee is made available each morning.

Restrooms are available on the grounds.

Bottled water is provided to registered vendors throughout the event.

Free parking is available nearby. More information will be provided with letters of acceptance.

Food vendors are available on the grounds.

Tallman Arts Festival makes every effort to have volunteers available for unloading assistance and brief booth sitting breaks. However, vendors should have a self-sufficient plan.

2025 Restrictions

Use of generators is not permitted.

Pets are not permitted inside of booths. Any anticipated presence of registered service animals should be reported to [email protected].

Vendor Responsibilities

Vendors are solely responsible for the set-up and take-down of booths. Tallman Arts Festival makes an effort to have volunteers on site to assist, but artists should have a self-sufficient plan for their display.

Vendors are required to be present in their booths during TAF operating hours. Occasional short breaks are acceptable.  TAF makes an effort to have volunteers available to provide brief respite, but artists should have a plan for independently managing their booth.

Artists and Vendors are encouraged to donate a piece of their work for the silent auction benefiting the Rock County Historical Society. Donating vendors will receive a participation ribbon for their booth.

Security is not provided at Tallman Arts Festival either Friday or Saturday night. TAF and its partners are not responsible for any loss or theft of vendor displays, inventories, or materials. Insuring work and possessions are the sole responsibility of the vendor.

Vendors are solely responsible for collecting their sale proceeds. They are also responsible for collecting and paying state/county sales tax of 5.5%. Seller’s permit tax numbers are reported to the state as required by law.

Vendors are encouraged to share information about their participation in the Tallman Arts Festival with their families, friends, and followers. Accepted vendors may receive marketing materials for their use.

Agreement and Liability

Submission of application indicates acceptance of conditions here set forth: If work exhibited on the day of the festival is not of the same nature as the photos submitted, the artist will be asked to leave. Artists and vendors provide their own display measuring no greater than 10’x 10’. Weights are required to secure tents. Artists provide their own table(s) and chair(s). Festival goes on rain or shine. Application fees are non-refundable. Booth fees are non-refundable after acceptance.

We appreciate your participation in the Tallman Arts Festival. We encourage all artists and vendors to have insurance to safeguard against potential risks and liabilities.

Rock County Historical Society and the Tallman Arts Festival will exercise all reasonable precautions; however, exhibitors shall indemnify and hold harmless the Rock County Historical Society, its Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers, sponsors, and the City of Janesville against any and all liability for loss or damage to works of art and/or property, theft, and injury.

Photography Rights and Reproduction

Acceptance of the application allows Rock County Historical Society and its Tallman Arts Festival photographers the rights to use images of your art, person, or booth in our marketing of current and future events.

2025 Artist & Vendor Application & Fees

Applications and images may be submitted online or via the U.S. Mail.

Download the application here:2025 Tallman Arts Festival Application

Online applicants may pay the $20 application fee online. Payments for booth fees must be submitted by check. Checks are payable to: RCHS and shall be mailed to: Tallman Arts Festival, 426 N. Jackson St. Janesville, WI 53548

Apply Online Now: