The Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts Planning Committee and the City of Arkadelphia are implementing new procedures for Artist Row at the 2024 Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts (AFOTA).
In an effort to recruit more artists to this year’s festival, AFOTA coordinators are lowering registration fees and removing the jury process for artists wanting to participate in the festival.
Prior to 2024, all artists had to be approved by a panel of third-party judges and pay a $100 registration fee to be featured on Artist Row. While AFOTA coordinators will still review the work of each artist to ensure it is of clean content, they believe removing the professional jury process will open the door for up-and-coming artists to participate.
“The biggest request we heard at the end of AFOTA23 was to bring in more artists for 2024,” Special Events Manager Halle Posey said.
“We are still going to review the work of each artist that registers, but our goal is, and always will be, to celebrate all types of art at AFOTA. We hope that by lowering the cost and removing the jury process that we see more engagement from local and regional artists.”
AFOTA coordinators have implemented staggered registration periods for Artist Row. Early registration is ongoing until May 1 for $50. The standard registration period will begin May 1 and end July 1 for $75. Late registration will begin July 1 and end August 1 and cost $100. See below for more information.
| Registration Period | Begins | Ends | Registration Fee |
| Early Registration | – | May 1 @ 12:00 a.m. | $50 |
| Standard Registration | May 1 @ 12:30 a.m. | July 1 @ 12:00 a.m. | $75 |
| Late Registration | July 1 @ 12:30 a.m. | August 1 @ 12:00 a.m. | $100 |
Another key change coming to the AFOTA24 Artist Row is tents will no longer be provided. All artists must bring their own setup with them.
“We have absolutely loved the look of Artist Row over the past three years, but it comes at a cost,” Posey said. “By having artists bring their own setups, they’re able to better show off their work and personalities, and we’re able to invest those funds into new, interactive elements at the festival.”
Volunteers will be available to assist artists with setting up and breaking down their spaces at AFOTA24. Tables and chairs will be available upon request.
The Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts Planning Committee and the City of Arkadelphia strongly suggest all tents be weighed down to avoid damage to persons or artwork at the event. The City of Arkadelphia and the Arkadelphia Festival of the Arts Planning Committee will not be held liable for any damages to an artist’s work caused by weather or mismanaged tents.