Artist/Crafter/Artisan Application 2025

Artisan Policies for the 2025 Vandergrift Artfest

Please take the time to carefully read the information in this application. We are excited to be preparing for this year's festival. Did you know that Vandergrift Artfest won a silver award for "Best Festival" in the Tribune Review's Best of the Best in the Pittsbugh East division for 2024? We want 2025 to be even more spectacular as we embrace the theme: Art Goes Grimm -- A nod to the original Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tales.

This is a first step application for participation in the 2025 Vandergift Artfest: Art Goes Grimm. Each application will be reviewed to consider the number of vendors already selling a similar product, originality and creativity of product, and participation in past events. If accepted, a link will be sent to you that provides a request for preferred arrival time, and a link to make payment. Please note that this year we have added a $25 additional fee for all payments received after May 15. We will continue to accept applications, and send out acceptance messages, until our spaces are filled. Because this is an art festival, those reselling products made by someone else, or MLM vendors will not be accepted. If pre-manufactured products must be used in the creation of your craft, these elements must be subordinate to the original work of that artist. Food vendors must complete the food vendor application.

Art Goes Grimm will take place on Sunday, July 27 from noon to 9 pm. Artists and vendors must be present for the duration of Artfest. In the case of severe weather, the Artfest Director may make the decision to close the festival. In the case of a personal emergency, please see a festival representative in the information booth if you need to vacate your space early.

We have approximately 70 spaces available on Grant and Farragut Avenues (the main street), and an additional 30 spaces on Columbia Avenue (adjacent to the stage and food trucks.) Early registrants will be given priority for Grant and Farragut Avenues. Because of the popularity of the festival, this year’s event will only provide single spaces so that we can welcome as many artists as possible. If you have extenuating circumstances related to location and size of your booth space, please share those with us in the comment space below. The Vandergrift Market Building will not be available for spaces this year, thus all artist/vendor spaces are outdoors. Your space will accommodate a 10X10 pop up tent. You must provide your own cover, table, chairs and other needed equipment. Access to electricity will not be available. Vendors will be assigned based on arrival time preference and date of reservation completion. We will also try to make sure that vendors with the same product types are spread out.

As in the past, vendors will be provided with an arrival time, and will be asked to unload their vehicles as quickly as possible and then move their vehicle to the parking lot. Please make every effort to only bring one vehicle for set up when at all possible. If you want to be next to another vendor, it will be up to you to arrive to the unloading zone TOGETHER (as in one vehicle behind the other) and we will then make sure that you are in adjacent booth spaces. Unloading times for the blocks will be 8 am to 8:30 am, 8:45 to 9:15 am, and 9:30 am to 10 am. You will be provided with a parking pass for ONE space in that parking lot. At the end of the day artists and vendors will be dismissed by sections by Artfest staff. Generally, load out is completed within one hour of festival close.

All fire codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations will be strictly observed. Nothing shall be affixed to public property. Vendors must provide a method to securely anchor their tent/display in case of inclement weather and wind. Weights of at least 40 pounds are suggested. Our Artfest Safety Coordinator will conduct a safety check at start of day.

Vendors are to sell only those items listed on their application and approved by the Artfest. Non-compliance will result in removal from the festival. Please remember that this is an Artfest that celebrates makers, and products must be created by the vendor. Food and beverage for immediate consumption may only be sold by authorized food vendors.

Sales of raffle tickets or games of chance are only permitted if pre-approved by Artfest. Those requesting to do a raffle must provide proof of small games license and proceeds must benefit a non-profit organization.

Artfest Committee will select and limit the vendors selling like products of arts, crafts, merchandise, food, or beverage. Please list all that you plan to sell on this application.

Those working in vendor booths are to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. No tolerance will be given to those who interfere with the operation of another vendor's space.

Material of a mature subject matter may be asked to be removed from public display at the discretion of the Artfest Committee. Vandergrift Artfest is not responsible to damage of person or property of vendors participating in Artfest.

Registrants cancelling their reservation prior to June 20, 2025 will be provided with a full refund minus a $5 cancellation fee.

Insurance Requirements for Artists and Non-Food Vendors

The Borough of Vandergrift requires festival coordinators to ensure that all participating vendors are appropriately covered with a liabilty insurance policy. If you are an artist or vendor who does more than 3 – 4 shows per year, we strongly encourage you to consider an annual liability policy. This takes the worry out of being sued because your tent has blown in the wind or injured someone, or because your chair gets knocked over and breaks products in your neighboring artisan’s booth. If you opt to go with an annual policy, you will also have some coverage for loss of your personal products/art in the case of a storm or the like. The State Farm Insurance Office in Vandergrift has put together an annual policy to offer local artists that can be paid for monthly, at a cost of around $25 per month. Such a plan is the best option to protect yourself and others. Call them at (724) 567-1555 to learn more or to register. Similar plans may be available through other agents. Simply tell your agent that you are looking for an annual policy for artists attending festivals that will provide liability coverage and some coverage for loss or damage to your inventory. There are many paths to securing the needed insurance coverage. If you have homeowners or renter’s insurance, you may contact your insurance agent to discuss adding coverage for your festival work to your plan. Depending on what you make and sell, this might be the most affordable option.

If you prefer to purchase coverage for just one day, we will assist you in that process as part of your registration. Even though these requirements feel challenging, we are committed to providing a safe and responsible Artfest for all involved.

How much is registration going to be this year?

Artisans who have their own liability insurance may purchase a 10X10 space for $45 (a reduction from last year.) You must be able to name the "Vandergrift Improvement Program and the Borough of Vandergrift" as additional insured on your policies and provide us with a certificate (or screenshot thereof). If you register with your own insurance you will be provided with an email to which to send this certificate.

Artisans who do not have their own liabliity insurance and wish to purchase it through the festival may purchase a 10X10 space for $60.

Regardless of whether an applicant is insured or uninsured, an additional $25 fee will be added to registration fees for applications and registrations received after May 15. We will be sending out acceptance notifciations on a rolling basis so make sure that you submit that payment before the rate incrase.

For questions, please visit our Facebook page for the Vandergrift Artfest and message us. We look forward to welcoming you to our land of Grimm Fairy Tales!

Additional Information:

Your products need not reflect the Grimmm Brothers theme. We will, however, have a people's choice award for the vendor selling a product or product that best reflects the theme. This artist will be granted free registration for the 2026 festival.

We will again be holding an Art Show in the Market Building. We encourage you to also apply to display a piece of your art in this show. In addiiton, we will be asking every vendor to provide a donation of your product to our basket raffle, which also takes place in the Market Building. This raffle really helps to offset festival fees so your participation is much appreciated! You may provide an entire basket or item of your product, or provide an item to be combined in a basket with other vendors.

Last, the Myers Family Palette Project has been a central aspect of the Artfest for many years. If you are a painter, we hope that you will consider creating one of these amazing palettes. Details for this are available on the Palette Artist application.

Your Personal Name*

First NameLast Name

Your Business or Booth Name*

Email*

example@example.com

Cell Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Website or Social Media Site

Please describe the items that you wish to sell at our event. Include all types of products that you plan to sell. Remember that these products must be made by you. *

Photo examples of my items that will be for sale*

Are there any extenuating circumstances you want to tell us about related to the size or location of your booth? Please note that electricity is not available in any of our vendor spaces.

Please provide a 100 word (or less) description that we can use to share your business on our social media page as a featured artisan?

Into which registration category do you fall:

I am applying for an artist/vendor space and I have my own liability insurance or will obtain and provide proof of insurance prior to Artfest ($45)I am applying for an artist/vendor space and I do not have my own liability insurance and will need to purchase a one-day policy through Artfest ($60)

I, the applicant, have read the “Artfest Policies” and agree to abide by said conditions. In addition, I, the applicant do expressly release the Vandergrift Artfest, the Vandergrift Improvement Program, and the Borough of Vandergrift of and from any and all liability for any property damage, injury or loss to any person, business or property which may arise from the occupation of the event space by the applicant, and agree to hold the above harmless of any damage, injury or loss by reason thereof. In consideration of the Vandergrift Artfest's acceptance of myapplication, I agree to accept all decisions of the Arfest Committee as final and will abide by the policies of the Artfest in regard to my acceptance as a vendor. Vandergrift Artfest will not be liable for refunds or any other liabilities whatsoever for the failure to fulfill this contract due to acts of God, public enemy, strikes, statutes, ordinances, or any legal authority, or any other cause beyond the Festival’s control. If accepted as a vendor, I give permission to use my name, business name, photos and their descriptions, item prices and any photographs, video, or images taken of me or my items for any and all purposes.*

I understand and I agree

Signature*

Vendor/Artisan Application