The Clifton Cultural Arts Center invites artists and makers to apply for CliftonFest 2025, an annual celebration of music, art, food, and family fun in the vibrant Ludlow Avenue business district of Gaslight Clifton. This year’s festival will have a renewed focus on showcasing local arts and culture, offering a platform for artists to connect with the community, display their work, and make sales to a diverse and engaged audience.

CliftonFest is a lively, all-day event blending art, music, and family fun—perfect for vendors offering work in the $25–$250 price range, where quality meets accessibility. With a vibrant crowd drawn by live performances and kids’ activities, it’s a great opportunity to connect with shoppers and sell widely. Please note: CliftonFest is focused on showcasing visual and handmade arts. We are not accepting applications for food or beverage vendors, as these offerings are managed separately by the festival.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from individual artists and makers of all mediums, including but not limited to:

• Visual Arts: Painting, illustration, photography, mixed media, prints
• Crafts: Ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodworking
• Wearable Art: Clothing, accessories, and handmade fashion items
• Gifts: Journals, ornaments, candles, cards, soap

Note: All work must be original and created by the applying artist, and if accepted, artist must only bring work in the modes represented in their submission. No MLM or wholesale will be permitted.

Fee Structure:

Entry Fee: $25 (non-refundable, due at the time of application, deducted from table fee if accepted)
Table Fee: $100 (due upon acceptance to secure your spot)

Table Fee Waivers: A limited number of fee waivers are available to reaffirm our commitment to platforming emerging artists and underrepresented groups. Please indicate in your application if there are financial obstacles between you and this opportunity.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of local artists and community members. Selected artists will be notified by April 15, 2025.

Booth Information:

• Booth Size: 10’x10’ space. Electricity is limited.
• Provided: Vendors will provide their own furniture or rent up to 1 table and 2 chairs through CCAC.
• Setup: Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
• Takedown: Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • You must keep your booth set up until the end of the event unless weather causes the event to end early.

Waitlist

Applicants who are not accepted may be placed on a wait list. If additional space becomes available through the course of planning, or due to cancellations, applicants on the waitlist will be notified as promptly as possible.

Weather Policy

Light to moderate rain is not considered severe weather and the event will remain open on rainy days. If there is severe weather, the event will be moved ~100-200 feet to the interior of the Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

Additionally

• Makers are responsible for any licenses, permits, sales tax and/or fees as required by law
• Neither CCAC nor CBA (Clifton Business Association) are responsible for any accidents or loss.
• If any items are deemed to be offensive, you will be asked to remove the items from display.
• Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited in the event vicinity.