Starkville Area Arts Council offers a number of programs and submission opportunities, from the annual Cotton District Arts Festival to period calls for submissions posted throughout the year. All applications are now taken online - no more postage, no more CDs or DVDs, and no more printing and lost materials!

Submission requirements vary for each program. So, be sure to read all instructions (and make sure you are submitting to the right program)!

Join our newsletter list, or check here from time to time, to see what calls may be open.

PLEASE NOTE: Submittable is best viewed on a desktop or through the Submittable App.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SAAC is an equal opportunity organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, operation of programs, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the public, all members of our staff, volunteers, vendors, and artist communities.

We expect all SAAC & CDAF board members, volunteers, participants, vendors, and grantees to follow the same community-engagement policy.

Thank you for your interest in Public Art in Starkville, MS! 


If you have a proposal for a public art project in Starkville this is the place! All submissions must include: 

- Proposed project overview

- Proposed budget 

- Proposed timeline

- Photos of the proposed project and examples of other works. 


Submissions to this form are reviewed as they come in. Please be aware that our funding is very limited for public art projects. 


For questions, please email Juliette at arts@starkvillearts.org. 

SAAC will be hosting a Friends & Lovers Market in the backlot of our space with Proof Bakery at 109 W Main St. on Saturday, February 15th, from 4-6 PM. There is no set theme and all mediums are welcome, but if you would like to sell Valentine's-themed items, the choice is yours. We're expecting to accomodate up to 20 vendors.


Artisan and Food vendors welcome! This includes cottage food vendors.


The deadline is February 5th at midnight. All applications must be made online. Applications will be reviewed by SAAC Staff and volunteers, and accepted vendors will be notified via email by Feb 7th. More information will be sent to accepted vendors at this time as well.

This Art Market will have a $15 booth fee for accepted vendors.  Booth Payments can be made by cash, card, or check. This will go towards the cost of planning the event, refreshments, etc. You must supply all your own tables/decor. Limit one table per vendor. All final sales go to the vendor. Sales taxes WILL be collected by SAAC on behalf of all vendors and reported to the Department of Revenue. 


All sales from the SAAC Artist Store or other SAAC merchandise will be handled by SAAC Staff or Volunteers.


For questions, please contact director@starkvillearts.org.  

This application is for consideration for SAAC's new SAAC Artist Store.


About the SAAC Artist Store:
SAAC has moved in with Proof Bakery to a new space on Main Street in Downtown Starkville! With a greater Main Street presence, we'd like to share this opportunity with artists in town who would like to sell their unique artwork in our space.  Our space is limited to 4-5 artisans at a time, so reserve your spot today! 


 The SAAC Artist Store is located at 109 W Main Street (inside Proof Bakery) and is open during SAAC business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10 am - 4 pm, excluding Holidays) as well as availability for sales during Proof business hours. SAAC handles all sales, taxes, and payments to artists. Specific rules and information can be found below.

Rules and Important Notes: PLEASE READ THOSE BEFORE APPLYING.
 

  • All forms of work are eligible for acceptance, including but not  limited to: Ceramics, Graphics, Jewelry, Literary Materials, Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Crafts (including but not =limited to woodworking, candle-making, fiber arts, etc.) The goal is to have all accepted artists displaying different mediums, styles, etc. to provide customers with variety.  
  • Space is very limited, so we can only accept 4-5 artists at a time. Shelf dimensions vary and placement is based on currently available space and the mediums of accepted artists. All works must be for sale. All works must be original by the artist contracted with SAAC. Any items not meeting these requirements may be subject to removal.
  • Artists will receive 60% commission of sales for works sold on their shelf. A 40% sales commission will be assessed against the retail price provided by the ARTIST. The ARTIST will be paid the gross, less commission and sales tax, on or about the 10th of the month following the month of sale. During special events (such as unWine or other events) that require discounts for participation, SAAC will discount pieces a maximum of 20% of listed price. The 20% sales commission will still be assessed and the artist paid the gross of the discounted price less commission.
  • SAAC only provides the space to the ARTIST. The ARTIST will need to supply any and all decorations, business cards, signage, etc. for their shelf. 
  • Artists may change inventory at any time (by appointment with SAAC) to reflect new work, holidays, seasons, etc. Artist must provide SAAC with an updated Inventory Sheet upon any changes made to inventory.
  • Space occupancy is first come first serve. Terms may be for 6 or 12 months, which may be reassessed at the end of the term. Limit 12 months total per artist. 
  • All accepted artists must follow our Community Engagement Policy (available on our website). 
  • A blank example Letter of Agreement and Terms and Conditions can be found on our website (www.starkvillearts.net). 



  If you still have questions after reading the instructions, please send an email to Juliette at director@starkvillearts.org. If you have technical issues with the application form itself, contact Submittable by clicking the "?" in the upper right or lower left of the form.

Acceptance Notes
  All applications will be reviewed for acceptance by SAAC Staff and our current Board President.  IF ADMITTED,  you will receive a Letter of Agreement and Terms and Conditions. No admitted vendor will be allowed to set up until the Letter of Agreement is signed by the participating Artist and returned to SAAC.
  The next round of applications will be reviewed and accepted before January 2, 2025. 

$15.00

This application is for consideration as a VENDOR in the Artisan's Village. If you wish to participate in the Juried Arts Exhibit, you must also submit that application. Application deadline is March 1st, 2025. #CDAF2025 is set for April 19, 2025.

Detailed rules are located at www.cdafestival.com/applications.html. THERE ARE CHANGES TO THE RULES THIS YEAR 2025 - PLEASE READ THOSE BEFORE APPLYING. If you still have eligibility questions after reading the instructions, please send an email to CDAFArtisans@starkvillearts.org. If you have technical issues with the application form itself, contact Submittable by clicking the "?" in the upper right or lower left of the form.

IF ADMITTED,  you will receive a SECOND FORM to pay your booth fee. No admitted vendor will be allowed to set up until booth fees are paid. Booth fees are $150 per 10x10 booth (limit of 3 per vendor). If you apply by February 1st, 2025 - you will pay the "Early Bird" Booth fee of $125 per 10x10 booth (limit of 3 per vendor). 

Thank you for submitting to the 2025 Cotton District Arts Festival Singer Songwriter Competition  Showcase! The top 10 applicants will be selected to compete in a live performance date on March 1, 2025, at Starkville Community Theatre AT 4 PM


 

  • Songs must be original works written, composed, and performed by the submitter. 
  • Musicians may submit up to 3 songs per person.
  • In the application form, please paste the URL link where the Songwriter Committee can view/listen to your song online. 
  • Once selected, Showcase participants will be contacted for further details regarding the Showcase. 
  • The Top 3 winners of the Showcase will be invited to perform at #CDAF2025 in shared time slot! (Plus, in the past, various winners from this competition have been hired to play at SAAC's annual fundraiser Forks  & Corks).


 

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025 @ MIDNIGHT

$15.00

This form is for NEW FOOD VENDORS. Vendors who attended previously should contact Taste of Starkville directly at TasteofStarkville@starkvillearts.org for the appropriate form.

For all rules, please visit www.cdafestival.com

$15.00

This application is for the Juried Arts Exhibit, which is a competitive fine art show where pieces are listed for sale in a gallery setting. If you wish to participate in the ARTISAN'S VILLAGE to sell your work from a booth, you must also submit in that category. 


Judging occurs in 2 phases: 1) acceptance to the show and 2) competition for prizes at the show. Starkville Area Arts Council and the Cotton District Arts Festival encourage submissions that reflect a diversity of talent, perspective, and medium. Show us what you've got! 


DEADLINE: February 23, 2025
NOTE: The Juried Arts Extended Show runs from April 9–April 21, 2025 and will be located in the MSU Visual Arts Center in the Cotton District. A reception for will be held the night before the festival on Friday, April 18 at the VAC. Awards will be announced the morning of the festival on April 19. 


RULES: All rules may be found on the CDAF website on the applications page.

Are you a potter, painter, photographer... or any other artist interested in exhibiting your works in a one-person show? SHARE YOUR WORK WITH US!


Send us your best work (images you provide must represent the work you wish to submit).

How it works: 

  • Submit your works online
  • Our committee will review your submission and reach out to you when vacancies for Solo Exhibits need to be filled. Art in Public Places exhibits generally last 2 months per show and alternate between group and solo shows, so solo spots are VERY LIMITED annually.
  • Response times to your submission will not be immediate and may be months after you have submitted. 
  • You do not need to withdraw your submission unless you no longer wish to exhibit with us or your work fundamentally changes. 
  • For all rules and regulations, please visit www.starkvillearts.net/creativeeconomy. 


For additional questions, please contact us at arts@starkvillearts.org.

To view past Art in Public Places exhibits, please visit www.starkvillearts.net/aipp


Want to be considered as an act for our Music Stage(s)? Then fill out this form and we'll follow up with you! #CDAF2025 is scheduled for April 19, 2025 in the Cotton District! 


 Please be aware that our budget is limited and most accepted bands are from the local Golden Triangle area. For any questions, feel free to contact us at CDAFmusic@starkvillearts.org

Starkville Area Arts Council