Art Fair on the Square (Madison) facts for kids
Art Fair on the Square is a super popular yearly event in Madison, Wisconsin. It happens right on the Capitol Square. This amazing art fair brings together about 500 artists from all over America. They come to show and sell their art on the second weekend of July.
It's a "juried" event, which means experts choose the best artists to participate. You can find almost every kind of art here! This includes things like pottery, glass art, woven items, cool photos, drawings, sculptures, and even jewelry. There are also traditional paintings and prints.
For 50 years, this fair has been one of Madison's favorite events. Around 200,000 people visit each year. That includes artists, students, families, and anyone just looking for something fun to do! The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) organizes the fair. It's their main way to raise money for the museum. In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they held a special online version of the event.
Besides all the art, the fair has lots of other fun stuff. You'll find food trucks, music stages, and other entertainment all around the square.
What is Art Fair Off the Square?
Guess what? There's another art fair happening the very same weekend! It's called Art Fair Off the Square. This fair is special because it only features artists from Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople organizes this event. You can find it along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., which leads to the Monona Terrace. It's a great place to see local talent!
More Fun Things to See
In recent years, other businesses and artists have joined the fun. They set up along State Street, which leads to the University of Wisconsin campus.
Also, the Dane County Farmers' Market still happens on Saturday morning. It's usually on the square, but during the fair, it moves one block away. So you can enjoy fresh produce and local goods too!
