Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts Launches Emerging Artists Program

TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts has opened applications for its 2027 Emerging Artists Program, offering up-and-coming artists an opportunity to gain professional experience and exhibit their work at the 57th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Fifteen artists will be selected for the program and will exhibit at the festival on March 6-7, 2027, in Tampa.

Each selected artist will receive a free booth to present and sell their work to more than 30,000 art lovers expected to attend the two-day festival. Participants will also receive a $450 stipend to help offset expenses associated with preparing for the event. In the months leading up to the festival, participating artists will receive mentorship from established artists and arts administrators. The program is designed to provide participants with firsthand experience preparing for and exhibiting at a major juried fine arts festival.

One of the 15 participants will be selected to receive the Emerging Artist Award, which includes a $1,500 cash prize. The Emerging Artists Program is open to all up-and-coming artists who will be 18 years of age by March 6, 2027. Applications open on October 1, 2026, and the deadline to apply is November 29, 2026.

The 57th Annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts will be held on March 6-7, 2027, in Tampa.

The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, a major juried fine arts festival, attracts more than 30,000 art lovers each year, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. The festival, which has been held annually since 1968, is a significant event for the Tampa arts community, offering a unique opportunity for artists to connect with potential buyers and gain valuable experience in the art world.

The Emerging Artists Program, which is open to all up-and-coming artists who will be 18 years of age by March 6, 2027, aims to provide emerging artists with the resources and support they need to develop their careers. The program includes a free booth, a $450 stipend, and mentorship from established artists and arts administrators. One of the 15 participants will receive the Emerging Artist Award, which includes a $1,500 cash prize.

Gasparilla Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists and expanding access to the arts, has been hosting the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts since 1968. The festival, which attracts more than 30,000 art lovers each year, provides a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work and connect with potential buyers. The festival's Emerging Artists Program, which is open to all up-and-coming artists who will be 18 years of age by March 6, 2027, aims to provide emerging artists with the resources and support they need to develop their careers. The program includes a free booth, a $450 stipend, and mentorship from established artists and arts administrators. One of the 15 participants will receive the Emerging Artist Award, which includes a $1,500 cash prize.