Application Process & Deadlines
October 27, 2025: Zapplication jury application begins. APPLY TODAY.
December 19, 2025: Zapplication jury application closes
January 21, 2026: Zapplication jury results emailed to artists
January 21 – Febryary 9, 2026: Accepted artists complete booth application via Zapplication and purchase their booth(s)
February 16. 2026: Waitlist artists will be notified of booth openings (if available).
March 16, 2026: Booth refund deadline. Artists must submit a written request (via email or mail) for a booth refund. An artist requesting a booth refund, for any reason, before the stated refund date will receive a 75% refund of their booth fee.
May 15, 2026: Booth set up. Time varies according to booth location.
May 16 – 17, 2026: Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair weekend.
Jury Process
SOCAF has partnered with Zapplication for our jury and booth applications. The SOCAF jury is a blind jury done in December, with anonymous volunteer judges who have a master’s level or higher art degree and/or hands on experience in the field.
ALL artists are to complete a Zapplication jury application and be juried into the Fair each year. Award winners (excluding Civic Purchase) from the previous year’s Fair must also complete a Zapplication jury application for the Fair, but these artists will be exempt from jury and will receive an automatic booth invitation into the next year’s Fair.
