The countdown to one of South Florida’s most beloved annual events has officially begun. Artist applications for the 63rd Coconut Grove Arts Festival are now open, marking the first milestone in a months-long journey toward Presidents Day weekend, February 13–15, 2027, when the vibrant spirit of creativity once again takes over the waterfront village of Coconut Grove.
For artists, this is their once-a-year opportunity to join one of the nation’s most prestigious outdoor juried fine arts shows — celebrated for exceptional sales, enthusiastic collectors, and a setting unlike anywhere else in the international arts world. For Executive Director Camille Marchese, it signals the start of an exciting evaluation process that will ultimately result in 285 highly skilled artists across a wide range of disciplines exhibiting at the 2027 show. Since applications opened July 10, Marchese reports the response is already quite promising. “That’s a very good sign,” she says.
The 2026 Festival generated over $4.4 million in reported sales — with individual works ranging from $0 to $115,000 — and awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to Miami-Dade students. The Festival also operates one of the most successful Emerging Artist programs in the country, dedicated to showcasing the next generation of talent.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- Applications Open: July 10, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 11, 2026, at midnight
- Jury Process: September 15 – October 12, 2026
- Artist Notifications: October 14, 2026, at noon EDT
- Booth Purchase Deadline: November 20, 2026
- Festival Dates: February 13–15, 2027
How to Apply
Each artist must submit a separate online application for each medium category, along with a $40 application fee per entry — waived for 2026 CGAF Award Winners. Artists may apply in as many as three categories but may only be accepted in two. Each application requires five images: four of individual works and one mandatory booth shot. The booth image must be an authentic outdoor shot — not computer-generated — and must not include any identifying signs or photos of the artist. A 300-character artist statement describing materials and technique is also required and will be read aloud to jurors. Apply at cgaf.com or through the artist application portal at zapplication.org.
The Jury Process
The Festival selects artists through a blind jurying process. A panel of five independent judges — including museum curators, gallery owners, professional artists, and art educators — reviews applications virtually. In the first round, jurors score each application yes, no, or maybe; any application receiving five “no” votes is eliminated. Remaining applications are scored on a 1–10 scale, with jurors convening virtually to discuss and reach consensus. All decisions are final. On average, approximately 1,100 applications are submitted annually, with around 240 artists selected through the jury and 45 exempt artists invited to participate.
Categories
The Festival accepts work in 15 categories:
- Claywork
- Digital Art
- Drawings and Pastels
- Fiber
- Glass
- Jewelry
- Metal
- Mixed Media 2-D
- Mixed Media 3-D
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Watercolor
- Wood
All work must be original, handcrafted, and created by the exhibiting artist. Reproductions are strictly prohibited, with the exception of Digital Art and Photography, which may be limited edition prints of 250 or fewer, signed and numbered on archival materials. Work generated with the aid of artificial intelligence is not permitted.
Booth fees range from $875 to $1,750.
About the Festival
The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is presented by the Coconut Grove Arts and Historical Association, a nonprofit with a full-time professional staff, an active Board of Directors, and more than 600 volunteers. Event proceeds support educational and community initiatives throughout the region. The Festival is supported, but not funded, by the City of Miami.
For more information on the application process and to apply, click here.