
Artist Information
Art Beat 2026 is scheduled for August 15, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Applications are now closed for this year's event, but check back next March for the 2027 applications!
Do not accept application offers from any other entities on Facebook other than Art Beat and DTSB as the other parties are scammers.
Applicants will be notified by June 19 of their acceptance status.

Rain Date
Art Beat is ON! Rain or Shine!
After careful consideration and consulting with a meteorologist we've come to a decision: Art Beat will take place Saturday, August 15, rain or shine!
While there may be periods of rain throughout the day, the event will proceed as planned. We are excited to welcome our artists, vendors, performers, sponsors, and attendees downtown for a full day of art, music, food, and community.
Please plan to attend as scheduled on Saturday, August 15. We look forward to seeing you downtown!
Booth Listings
The listings are divided into the four "Scenes" plus Creative Commons and the Fine Arts Showcase.
Artists are permitted to use the exterior sides of their booths for additional display opportunities, so long as the displays are not protruding more than 6 inches from booth boundaries. Artist may also use 1 foot of space in front of their booths for display.​​
Set-up and Tear-down procedures
Click here for a map showing the one entry points and two exit point for this year's event and the directional flow of the one-way traffic. It's important that the following procedures be adhered to by participants to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during set-up and tear-down.
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NOTE - CREATIVE COMMONS participants will enter through the Century Center lot to set up their booths. The parking attendant will have a list of Creative Commons participants so you won't have to pay. Culinary booths have their own set of entry/setup instructions.
Set-up and Parking for Participants in Scene A, B, C, D, and Fine Arts Showcase
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Artists are responsible for their own 10x10 tent (can be any color), tables, chairs and tent weights (tent weights are mandatory for public safety; no staking is permitted.)
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Artists are responsible for bringing any additional help they may need for the event for set-up/tear-down, and manning their booth
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Enter from the west side of the Art Beat campus at M.L.K. Jr. Blvd and Wayne. This closure will have half the road open for cars to enter. The other closures will either be for exit only or will be blocked off entirely. See map for more details.
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Follow the one-way flow of traffic to drive to your booth.
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We recommend you scope out your booth location in advance of event day to better familiarize yourself with where you're going. Booths numbers are marked on the top of the curbs in 10 foot increments.
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Set up your booth in the street, facing the center of the street, with the sidewalk behind you. You may set up your booth a foot away from the curb and store extra supplies between the curb and your booth.
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Artists are permitted to use up to 6 inches on the exterior sides of their tent for display and up to 1 foot in front of their tent for display.
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Even booths are located on the north and east sides of the streets. Odd booths are located on the south and west sides of the street.
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Set-up times for even-numbered booths is 8:00 a.m., for odd-numbered booths is 9:00 a.m, but if you need extra time to get set up, you can come as early as 7:00 a.m. Arrival deadline is 9:30 a.m. and all vehicles must be out of the Art Beat layout by 10:00 a.m. The barricades will be put in place at this time.
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Important - park your car TEMPORARILY in your spot to unload your items on the sidewalk by your booth, then park your car (or have your booth buddy park your car - strongly recommended), then set-up. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR BLOCKING THE PATH WHILE YOU SET UP YOUR BOOTH! Be kind to your neighbors!
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Free parking is located in various points but the most convenient parking location will be in the Zion Community Church Lot.
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Tear-down
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Early tear-down is not permitted and no vehicles will be allowed to enter the Art Beat campus until 7:30 p.m. for pedestrian safety. Barricades will be removed at this time.
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Pack up your items and tear down your tent BEFORE retrieving your vehicle. Put your items on the sidewalk behind your booth location.
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Retrieve your car using the same entry point and one-way traffic flow as during set-up, park in your booth spot, and load up.
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Pat yourself on the back for being a part of Art Beat and look back fondly on your day and the new customers and friends you made!
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NOTE -set-up and tear-down are different for vendors at CREATIVE COMMONS and culinary vendors. They will be emailed their instructions.
Art Beat Booth Number Contest
Each year members of the Art Beat committee select recipients for the annual Art Beat Awards, in categories such as "Most Spirited", "Best Booth Display", and more (scroll to bottom of page for more info.) This year they are bringing back the "Best Booth Number Contest", encouraging participants to come up with a creative way to display their booth number. Guests always have a hard time finding booth numbers (because they are located on the curb behind the booths) so this is a fun way to help them out!
Eligibility Requirements
Artists living in the following counties are eligible for participation: St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall, Kosciusko, and Starke counties in Indiana and Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties in Michigan.
FAQS
Can I bring my pets?
Yes so long as they do not pose harm to other guests and remain on a leash. Please pick up after your pets as well.
Where can I find an ATM?
The nearest ATM can be found at the Everwise Credit Union branch at 823 E. Jefferson Blvd. Everwise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor for Art Beat 2026.
What restaurants are nearby?
Downtown South Bend is home to over 50 dining establishments. You can find a list and map by clicking here.
AWARDS
The following awards will be given out during the event:
Most Spirited
Best in Performing Arts
Best in Fine Arts
Best Newcomer
Best Booth Display
Best in Culinary Arts
Best Booth Number Signage
Best in Show
Award winners from Art Beat 2024:

Best in Show: Kamika Perry

Most Spirited: Carrie & Branden's Endless Wanders Photography

Best in Fine Arts: Kaitlyn Elise Studio

Best Booth Number Signage: Jamie Scallions

Best Booth Display: Maisy Miles Designs

Best in Performing Arts: Traviowhat

Best Newcomer: Horns & Halos

Best in Culinary Arts: Sugar Rush by Jessica, LLC







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