Ann Arbor Art Fairs facts for kids
The Ann Arbor Art Fair is a huge art event held every year in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the United States. It's actually made up of four different art fairs, and they are all non-profit, meaning they don't aim to make money. More than 400,000 people visit the fairs each year!
Before 2016, the fair ran from Wednesday to Saturday. Since 2016, it runs from Thursday to Sunday, usually in the third weekend of July. The fair was cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it came back in 2021.
The four official fairs are:
- The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original
- The State Street Art Fair
- The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
- Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair
Besides showing off amazing art, the fairs also have live music, art demonstrations, and fun activities where you can create art yourself!
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The Ann Arbor Art Fairs
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original is the oldest of the four fairs. It started in 1960. It was created by a team including local business groups and the Ann Arbor Art Association. At first, some people thought artists wouldn't want to show their work on the street. But they were wrong!
The first fair had 132 artists. By the third year, there were 220 artists. In 1965, it was the first fair to have a jury pick the artists for an outdoor show. In 2000, it helped create Zapplication, an online system used by many art fairs today.
Fun Events at The Original Fair
This fair has started some cool events:
- Townie Street Party: This is a free party held on the Monday before the fairs begin. It's a way for local people to celebrate before the big crowds arrive.
- Dart for Art: This is a one-mile race held with the Townie Street Party. There's a race for fast runners and one for the community.
- Youth Art Fair: Young artists get to show and sell their own artwork here.
- New Art, New Artist Program: University students can experience what it's like to be a full artist in the fair.
You can also enjoy music and dance performances by local groups and professionals at the Fountain Stage.
Awards and Location
The Original Street Art Fair has won many awards. These include the Governor's Award from Michigan and being named one of the Top Ten Art Fairs in the country by USAToday. It's still known as one of the best fairs in art fair magazines.
In 2003, the fair moved to North University, East Washington, and the University of Michigan's Ingall's Mall. This new spot is surrounded by beautiful buildings and walkways.
Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair
In 1967, businesses in the State Street area decided to start their own art fair. The State Street Area Association runs this fair using its own people and money. For over 50 years, this fair has welcomed artists from all over the world. Many artists come back every year and feel like part of the neighborhood.
The State Street Art Fair has a unique feel. Local businesses set up alongside artists of all kinds. Artists apply and are chosen by a jury. Many artists who show their work here have customers who visit them every year.
Shopping and Food
Local shops also have summer sidewalk sales during the fair. This is a great chance to shop at stores that are usually busy with university students.
Restaurants in the area offer places to sit down and cool off. You can enjoy delicious food while taking a break from walking and shopping.
In 2019, a new event called the Ann Arbor State Street Hand-Crafted Marketplace started. It shows off handmade goods as an alternative to factory-made items. However, this event was cancelled the next year.
The State Street Art Fair happens every year, starting on the third Thursday of July. Artists who want to be part of the fair can apply between October and February. More information is on the StateStreetDistrict.org website.
Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair
The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair takes place in two areas: State Street (from Madison to William) and along Main Street and Liberty to Fifth Avenue. It's put on by The Guild of Artists & Artisans. This is a non-profit group that helps artists find places to sell their work. This fair features 375 artists chosen by a jury.
How it Started
It all began in 1970, about ten years after the first Ann Arbor Street Fair. A group of young artists wanted a fair where new artists, craftspeople, and art students could show their work. They called it the Free Arts Festival and set it up on the University of Michigan's "Diag" (a central grassy area). The artists themselves helped fund and manage this fair.
As these young artists grew, so did the Free Arts Festival. In the mid-1970s, it became an official part of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and was renamed the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.
At the same time, this group of artists realized they needed an organization to support them. They formed The Guild of Artists & Artisans. Today, The Guild is one of the largest groups for professional artists in North America. Its members still lead all of The Guild's fairs and programs.
Ann Arbor South University Art Fair
The Ann Arbor South University Art Fair is known across the country for its high-quality fine arts and crafts.
Unofficial Fairs
Over the years, some other art fairs have started up at the same time as the official Ann Arbor Art Fairs. These are for-profit fairs, meaning they aim to make money. They try to attract visitors who come for the main fairs.
One unofficial fair is in a private parking lot downtown. Another, called Ann Arbor Art Fair at Briarwood, started in the parking lot of Briarwood Mall. This mall is where shuttle buses pick up people to go to the downtown fairs.
The art at these unofficial fairs is often priced lower than at the official fairs. This might be because the fees for artists to set up a booth are lower, or the artists might be less experienced.
Art Fair Food
You can find classic fair foods like French fries, cotton candy, and caramel apples. But many vendors also offer special dishes from local restaurants across the city. It's a great chance to try different kinds of food!
Protest from Residents
Some people who live in Ann Arbor don't like the fairs. They say the fairs cause traffic problems and bring too many visitors for a week. They have protested with the slogan "It's not art, and it's not fair."
To build a better relationship with locals, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original, started the "Townie Street Party" in 2005. This party is held on the Monday before the fairs begin, giving the community a chance to celebrate.
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