Call for Art and Artisan Vendors

BECOME AN ART, ARTISAN OR FOOD COTTAGE VENDOR AT CHALK THE BLOCK and/or Dia de los Muertos!
Artisan Vendors with homemade products and original art are invited to apply for the upcoming MCAD Signature events happening this fall. These include our 17th Annual Chalk the Block Public Arts Festival and our Día de los Muertos Festival and Parade.

THE EVENTS
CHALK THE BLOCK
On October 11th, 12th and 13th, 2024, the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) in partnership with the El Paso Community Foundation will host the Chalk the Block Public Arts Festival (CTB17). Chalk the Block has become a signature El Paso event that provides an opportunity for the community to experience downtown in a whole new light with amazing sidewalk chalk art competitions, live music, local food & art vendor, and last but not least large scale temporary public art installations. In 2023 over 50,000 people attended the event, making it the largest public art festival in the southwest.

Artisan Vendor Opportunities for Chalk the Block this year are on October 12th and 13th:

Hours of Operation:
Saturday, October 12th: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, October 13th: 11:00am – 3:00pm

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

On Saturday, November 2nd, 2023, the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) will host the annual Downtown Dia de los Muertos Festival and Parade. Dia de los Muertos has become a signature El Paso event. This festival includes the themed parade, live music, local food & art vendor, and lots of activities happening inside and outside the museums. In 2023 this event was visited by over 35,000 people.

Artisan Vendor Opportunities this year are on November 2nd:

Hours of Operation:
Saturday, November 2nd: 11:00am – 9:00pm

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Applications must be received by 10am MST on Saturday, August 19th. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Submission of application does not guarantee acceptance.

*Accepted art vendors will be notified by September 07th and charged a fee for their space.

*Vendors are responsible for all operation equipment and supplies.
*Spaces are limited and will be selected through a Chalk the Block Panel Review.
*PARTICIPATION IN 2023 EVENT DOES NOT GUARANTEE SELECTION FOR CTB17 or Dia de los Muertos.


For further information or assistance, please contact Paulina Rosas at (915) 212-1769 and/orRosasp@elpasotexas.gov. All technical assistance must be requested by Wednesday August 10th at 6pm.
ART VENDOR APPLICANT INFORMATION

ART VENDOR CRITERIA AND SELECTION

  • All artwork must be original and handmade by the applicant.
  • Absolutely NO resale items or copyright images or materials are permitted for CTB17
  • The MCAD Signature Event Committee will review applications with *SOME* resale items for Dia de los Muertos that are suitable and follow the Dia de los Muertos/theme.
  • No additional items may be sold (i.e. water, candy, etc.) unless allowed by the coordinator. Providing of services (i.e. facepainting, tarot card reading, henna tattoos, etc.) is also strictly prohibited.
  • These events are family-friendly and artwork must be appropriate for the venue.
  • Art Vendors must have a current Tax ID and operate in compliance with all MCAD vending guidelines and standards.
  • In order to ensure diversity and product integrity the MCAD Signature Event Committee will review all applications and select participants.
    • The MCAD Signature Event Committee looks to include local and regional artists among a wide array of mediums and techniques.
    • Art and artisan vendors not selected will be placed on an Alternate List and contacted in the event of a cancellation. *Please note - alternate vendors may be called on a last-minute basis if spaces open up.
    • MCAD committee reserves the right to curate and limit the number of vendors selected in each category. Please note that vendors with the following items such as Jewelry, Woodwork, Beef Jerky etc will be limited due to the high number of applications will get for these.
Downtown Artist and Farmers Market (DAFM) Food Cottage Vendors:

Current DAFM Food Cottage Vendors are invited to apply for our signature events. All food cottage vendors must adhere to Texas Food Cottage Law and Department of Public Health Temporary Food Establishment permitting guidelines. All items sold must be pre-packaged, appropriately labeled, food item sales ONLY.

The committee will rank applications according to the following rubric. Each event will be scored separately.

Excellent (+2) Good (+1) Neutral (0) Needs Improvement (-1) Does not meet quality standards (-2)
Aesthetic of Vendor Booth set up and Photographs
Items on brand an on theme to signature event
Craftmanship and uniqueness of items
FEES and PERMIT NOTICE

General City of El Paso Vendor Permits are not necessary as the event includes permitting. All selected participants that have paid their dues will be issued a Vendor Permit on the day of Mandatory Orientation.

Vendor Fees (non-refundable):

CHALK THE BLOCK
Regular Artist Rate: $250
Student Rate: $150
School ID belonging to person applying must be submitted with application and at time of payment to receive the discount
The Market Vendor (The Market) Rate: $150
To qualify for the The Market vendor rate, Vendors must have participated in the The Market at least 25 times in the 9 months prior, and be in good standing, to the payment deadline to receive the discount. Attendance will be verified by the The Market Coordinator.

Dia de Los Muertos
Regular Artist Rate: $150
Student Rate: $75
School ID belonging to person applying must be submitted with application and at time of payment to receive the discount
The Market Vendor (The Market) Rate: $75
To qualify for the The Market vendor rate, Vendors must have participated in theThe Market at least 25 times in the 9 months and be in good standing, prior to the payment deadline to receive the discount. Attendance will be verified by theThe Market Coordinator.

Payment options will be discussed at the notification of approval

IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR VENDOR PARTICIPATION
**Please note:
-All applications are reviewed by a selection panel comprised of MCAD and City staff and community members.
-Participation in theThe Market or previous MCAD markets or events does NOT guarantee selection/participation at Signature events.
-Accepted The Market vendors MAY be eligible for a discount pending the attendance verification requirement.
-Please note that approval for one event does not mean automatic approval for the others.
VENDING GUIDELINES and EVENT LOGISTICS

VENDOR BOOTH REQUIREMENTS

 · Vendors must bring their own supplies and equipment (tent, table, easels, table cloths, chairs, etc).

· Booths may not exceed the standard 10’ X 10’ tent size. For special events - MCAD will only allow white tents or branded tents

· Spaces will be assigned and numbered on the pavement on the morning of set-up.

· Space assignments will be emailed out 24 hours before the event begins.

· Space Assignments are final.

· Vendors MAY NOT reassign themselves but may trade with another participating vendor if approved by the coordinator. 

· Booths are Non-Transferable.

** All parties involved in violation of this rule will be barred from the event and future participation.**

· Access to electricity is NOT provided.

· Light towers will be provided in the general vendor area and throughout the event footprint

· Vendor permits must be displayed at all times in booth. Vendors without these permits will be asked to leave.

· All vendors must be set-up and ready for business on time and maintain full operations throughout the event.
Art booths should be fully staffed and stocked at all times. 

*MCAD staff will not tolerate harassment of any kind in advance of, during and after the application process and event.

EVENT LOGISTICS
Will be discussed at the orientation.

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