The Show
The 49th annual Utah Arts Festival is scheduled for June 19–22, 2025, at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Each summer the Utah Arts Festival transforms downtown Salt Lake City, attracting 35,000+ attendees and generating close to $1 million in art sales. Being one of the only remaining multi-disciplinary events in the nation, we strive to combine high quality artistic presentations bringing together the best local, regional and national talent across all programs. We proudly present four days of award-winning fine arts in the artist marketplace, more than 100 live music performances, dance, literary and street theater performances along various stages throughout the grounds, as well as an internationally recognized short film program, urban arts program, a children’s art yard filled with free make-and-take projects, demonstrating artists, workshops and a wide variety of culinary and beverage options.
New in 2025
We’re adding back Thursday evening from 5pm to 11pm at a discounted price for attendees. We will bring back free admission for children age 12 and under, as well as offer discounted ticket prices for those arriving in our less attended, earlier hours on Friday afternoon. We’re also working on a completely updated site layout and re-tooling programming to enhance the patron and participant experience.
About the Program
The intent of the Emerging Artist program is to provide opportunities, resources and a platform for under-recognized and up-and-coming artists to show their work and evolve their craft. This program encompasses artists of all ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, and ability whose careers are on the rise in their respective mediums and genres. We’re seeking artists whose voices and artistic perspectives break barriers and contribute to a greater dialogue in our community about issues of social justice, belonging, inclusion and diversity. Our ultimate goal is to help to define new styles, lift up amazing work, give under-represented artists a voice and further support professional development, and to do that across all programs of the Utah Arts Festival.
We are accepting applications from individual artists or small groups seeking to perform, exhibit, or propose ideas for unique projects they wish to share with the community that meet the above criteria. When you complete your 2025 Utah Arts Festival application, you will specify your medium.
Please note that if you were accepted as an individual emerging artist and participated in any past Utah Arts Festivals, you are not eligible to apply through this program in 2025.
If you are an organization and would like to discuss opportunities to be involved with the Festival, please contact Amanda Neff at
All applications must be completed online. NO drop-off applications are accepted.
2025 Deadlines & Important Dates
- January 22, 2025: Completed applications must be received by the Utah Arts Festival
- Friday, March 14, 2025: Notification emails sent to applicants
- Friday, March 28, 2025: Signed contracts due back to Festival
- June 19 - 22, 2025: Utah Arts Festival
Resources that will be offered to accepted artists:
- Opportunity to be mentored by a seasoned artist in your medium or genre to help you make the most out of your experience.
- Access to a professional photographer and/or videographer to help build your profile and set you up for future success.
- A chance to meet with our program coordinators to better understand the application process, and tips for the best way to promote yourself as an artist.
- Visual Artists: Not only will we waive the application fee and booth fee, but we’ll also provide you a 10x10 tent, one 6’ table, two chairs, and three pieces of grid wall. You will also be invited to the Artist Marketplace Reception during set-up to mingle with other visual artists.
- Performing Artists: Music/Dance/Literary/Street Theater: Paid performance slot between 10-50 mins long depending on comfort level of carrying a set with available material and schedule availability.
- Film Artists: Opportunity for your work to be seen and included as part of our People’s Choice Voting for that program.
