Call Description

The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission would like to invite you to participate in our first annual Cathedral City Festival of the Arts, located at the beautiful Cathedral City Community Amphitheater on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..  The Amphitheater is located at 68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City, CA 92234.

The festival has space for up to 50 artists.  The first 32 will be provided a 10x10 tent with space for additional 10 x 10 or 10 x 20 spaces which will require the artist to provide their own tents.  More than one artist can display in the designated space.

One of our goals in founding this annual event is to create a space that is more inclusive and affordable for artists. Our entry fee is a low $125.00 per booth space and there will be no commission charged on sales.  The booth fee will only be charged for artists selected to participate.

This is a free event to attend.   In addition to the art for sale, there will be jazz and blues performances on the main stage, children's activities, food trucks, and ample free parking.

Artists are strongly encouraged to register early. Registration will close when 50 artists are accepted.

Festival Goals

The purpose of the festival is to promote artists and artisans, and provide them with a venue to display, sell, and share their handmade pieces. This event is designed to:

• provide opportunities for artists to show and sell their work;
• create a positive image of the Cathedral City  Public Art Commission;
• support City goals of providing equitable and inclusive opportunities for participation;
• enhance the Cathedral City downtown area and community at large; and
• expose adults and children to a wide array of fine art, hand-made crafts, and education opportunities locally and within the region.

Rules

1. Read all of the rules. Any and all participants that are represented by employees or family members are responsible for explaining and interpreting these rules and regulations to their employees and/or family members.
2. The festival committee reserves the right to accept or reject vendors and/or items into the market based on availability of space and type of artwork. This includes the possibility of duplicating similar items in the market.
3. Artist tents will be provided up to 10x10 to the first 32 artists to have submitted an application meeting all event requirements.  Additional space for up to 18 artists is also available for artists wishing to provide their own tents.
4. There will be no electricity, tables, or chairs provided. No generators will be allowed. Vendors must bring their own means to display their work.
5. All items available for sale must be originally crafted or created by the artist.
6. Set up may begin on Saturday morning at 8 a.m.. Artists should be set up and ready to go when the show opens at 10 a.m. and vendors may not take down their displays or leave until after the event ends at 5 p.m. Loading zones will be available.
7. This event is advertised as “rain or shine” and is treated as such. All participants are expected to participate during inclement weather.
8. All selected artists must provide proof of liability insurance, naming the City of Cathedral City as additional insured. Google "Art Festival Vendor Insurance" for multiple low-cost options.  A copy of your insurance certificate should be emailed to publicartscommission@cathedralcity.gov no later than March 13, 2026.
9. Selected artists will need to submit their booth payment of $125.000 no later than March 13, 2026.  Failure to make payment by this deadline will result in your booth space being forfeited.
10. Each vendor is responsible for space clean up.
11. Tables should be covered by a cloth. All products should be marked properly for sale and prices should be clearly posted.
12. This is a family-friendly event. Vendors shall not sell merchandise of an adult nature, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, nor any merchandise that may imply, suggest, or support this type of activity.
13. Vendors shall not sell sharp objects, such as knives, nor shall they engage in any activity that results in the creation of a sharp object, such as cut glass work.
14. Participants shall be responsible for the behavior of their children. For safety reasons, all children under 13 years of age must be confined to the participant’s space or have parental supervision while browsing the market.
15. The Festival committee reserves the right to ask any participant at any given time, for any reason, to leave the event.
16. There is no smoking at this event.
17. The City will not charge commission on sales, however artists should charge appropriate sales tax on any eligible transactions.  The sales tax rate for Cathedral City is 9.250%.
18. The Cathedral City Public Art Commission does NOT in any way guarantee sales or customer buying performance.
19. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE EARLIER IF WE MEET OUR VENDOR CAPACITY OF 50 ARTISTS.
20. ARTISTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ACCEPTANCE BY MARCH 6, 2026 OR SOONER. 
21. Any questions - please contact event chair Don Stouder at 619-602-5151 during normal business hours or email publicartscommission@cathedralcity.gov.

Application Requirements

• Completed application
• If selected, provide copy of insurance and payment of $125.00 registration fee no later than March 13, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
• Artists must submit a complete application and entry fee for consideration.
• Submitted art must comply with the Rules and Procedures for Artist Vendors.
• Artist must be available to stay for the entirety of the event.
• Artist must provide proof of insurance prior to the event.