Arbor Lakes Art Fair 2025 Application

Saturday, June 21, 2025
Sunday, June 22, 2025


Background

We are looking for artists with original handmade art to share with the general public in June. The event will be the weekend of June 21-22, 2025 at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove, MN 55369.

This outdoor shopping mall in the heart of Maple Grove, boasts a stunning backdrop for any event. We will be able to host up-to 45+ artists with ease, with room for a music stage, some food options and also a kids activity center or art supply kit, run by Maple Grove Arts Center volunteers.

This year we have a slightly different application and payment scale for artists. We will have a three stage process:

  • A non-refundable jury fee of $30 and full application should be submitted electronically via this page. Deadline for this is March 28, 2025. Forms, images, tax forms and any other documentation must be provided at this point.

  • Acceptance or refusal notices will be emailed out by April 16, 2025. If accepted, you will be directed to an online payment processor. At this point, you can choose either a double booth or single booth. All payments MUST be made electronically by May 14, 2025.

  • Single booths will $215 (10’ x10’ space) or double for $400 (20’ x 10'). There are NO refunds on booths after May 14, 2025.

  • Artwork is considered by a panel of well qualified judges and the jury decision is final.

  • We are offering a small refund to any accepted artist that brings in another artist, that has not exhibited at Arbor Lakes in the last three years. They must have named you on their application and have been accepted into the fair. If those conditions are met, Maple Grove Arts Center will refund you $30 for each additional accepted artist you recommend. The payment will be done via a refund to your original funding source late May/early June.


Requirements

  • We request that all artwork is handmade by the exhibiting artist. We do not accept any third party sellers into our fair, it’s strictly artist made work.

  • The exhibiting artist must be at least 18 years of age.

  • We do require that the artists are present the whole weekend (Sat 10 am - 6 pm // Sun 11 am - 4 pm). Visitors enjoy the interaction with the artist and it can be a great asset to making sales.

  • Artists need to have a MN tax ID and be prepared to charge tax at the prevailing rate on their sales. Sales tax is currently 9.025% in Maple Grove. You will be asked for this documentation on the application. If need a sales tax ID, apply now to MN Tax office.


The Weekend of the Fair

The event goes ahead rain or shine, so please be prepared for all weather contingencies.
You will need the following:

  • A white canopy. The spaces are 10’ x 10’ or 20’ x 10’ if you bought a double. We do try to space the booths with a little wriggle room, but that cannot be guaranteed, so please ensure that your tent will fit. You will also require side panels, so your tent can be secured overnight, weather permitting.

  • Weights. All tents must be weighted. If you need to purchase weights, the best ones are homemade concrete filled tubes that you hang from the top of your tent leg. The gravity helps secure the tent. These can be supplemented with sand filled bags or metal disc weights. At least 35lb per leg minimum, more can be needed if wind gusts over 15mph. Last year was windy and even with 50lb on each corner tents flew. Be prepared. if you are unsure, visit some art fairs and look what established artists are using. We will be checking the tents this year and directing people to go and secure weights if needed. Gallon water bottles on each leg are not sufficient. You are liable for any damage to persons or structures if your tent or display flies or falls. Please consider buying event insurance to cover yourself. A good company for artists is ACT Insurance.

  • Display materials and table coverings. Make your display look enticing, you are here to sell.

  • Method of taking payment. Bring change if anticipating cash sales. There is no electricity at the venue, so please bring power blocks for cell phone charging. We recommend taking credit/debit cards, this greatly increases your chances of a sale or increased value sale.

  • Water and food. We will have volunteers handing out water and also places to buy food, but it’s always good to be prepared.

  • Comfortable clothing, footwear and sunscreen, it’s a long two days!

You will be able to leave your tent overnight, weather permitting. We, however, strongly advise removing your items and either taking them home, or there may be some mall storage available. Details to follow.
We do hope to be able to provide an empty shop retail unit as an “artist chill room”. That will have restrooms and extra snack food and water available. This is dependent on a retail unit being available for our use.

We also present one “Best of Show Award” each year. The winning artist is given a free booth space the following year.
There is also one space available for an Emerging Artist. This space has reduced booth fee of $100 for a single space. Please indicate on the application if you qualify for consideration. Our definition is that 2025 is their first season and have also just graduated from an arts inspired course.


Next Steps

Please begin your application by pressing the orange button below.

We will let all applicants know if accepted into the fair by April 16, 2025. Booth fees are due at that time. Successful applicants will be given further direction.

We reserve the right to balance art mediums included in the fair.

Any questions, please contact Gretchen Mickelson, she will either help or direct you to help.

Please have your images, three artwork, one booth and your ST-19 ready to upload.


Here is a document that is continually being updated with local information, please download and read for more information, particularly if you are new to our event.


Artist Checklist

Please note that we do need all the elements of the application for the jury to consider you for the Arbor Lakes Art Fair - thank you for your cooperation. We don’t have the resources to chase up missing elements.

  • Online application filled and sent email.

  • Non-refundable jury fee of $30 paid electronically

  • ST-19 printed and uploaded via the button above

  • Images uploaded via the button above - 3 of artwork and 1 booth shot from a previous outdoor event. If you do not have that, please send us a written description or photo of indoor event. We use your images to promote the event and also do an individual Facebook post for each accepted artist nearer the event.

  • All three waivers accepted.