Art in the Park
Art in the Park: Our longest running event!
Did you know that Art in the Park was the very first annual event organized by the KAC?! Beginning in 1973; it has become one of our largest and most cherished outdoor festivals. Over time, Art in the Park has grown into a vibrant hub of creativity, culture, and community spirit. Over the past three decades, it has become recognized as a signature Canada Day event, and is attended by over 15,000 people every year!
Art in the Park is more than a festival — it’s a platform for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and community-building. Working with City of Kamloops and the Multicultural Society on July 1st, Canada Day, the KAC creates a day-long (9:00am – 4:00pm), family-friendly celebration which showcases the artworks of visual artists, musicians, cultural performers, and community organizations from all over the TNRD area! Through approximately 100 booths, live stage performances, art demos, hands-on workshops, and community art activities, we create an accessible, inclusive, and inspiring environment that brings people together through the arts.
Attendees benefit from a joyful, culturally rich experience that’s FREE to access! Your continued support of this annual event increases tourism, business traffic, and community well-being.
In short: It keeps the Kamloops arts community thriving.
Community members can get involved by applying to be artists, vendors, or performers, volunteering their time, or sponsoring the event. We also welcome community groups to set up interactive booths or demonstrations that align with our creative and inclusive values.
Applications for artist vendors open in January, Early Bird applications close March 15th and the regular registration deadline is April 15th every year, providing plenty of time to gather necessary information. Accepted participants are notified well in advance with all necessary event logistics and promotional support/materials.
Not a visual artist, but still want to contribute?
Of course, we could not run such a massive and successful event without the help of our dutiful volunteers! We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and abilities to help support this ever-growing pinnacle of connection, and keep things fun, safe, and running smoothly for our community! Volunteers gain valuable event experience, character references upon request, and a sense of contribution. If you or someone you know would like to give back to your arts community and keep art in the heart of Kamloops events, consider applying today!
Stay tuned for event updates and announcements via the Kamloops Arts Council website, our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook), email newsletters, press releases, and in collaboration with community and tourism partners, such as Tourism Kamloops and TRU Events!
Open for Sponsorships
Our sponsors play a crucial role in supporting this free public event. Past sponsors have included the City of Kamloops, Canadian Heritage, B-100, Aqua Pure, and Senor Froggy’s, and arts supporters. In-kind sponsors often help with staging, sound, signage, or services that contribute to the festival’s smooth execution.
The KAC is so grateful to the sponsors who enable us to provide regular programming and opportunities to our creative community, such as:
- The City of Kamloops
- BC Arts Council
- B100
- Kamloops Art Party
- Art Knapps
Frequently Asked Questions:
Excellent question! Once we close the applications for Art in the Park, we invite 3 members of the artist community to jury the applications. This is done to look at the quality of the art, ensure that we have a variety of artists, and that we have fair representation. So, we look to make sure the work is handmade, original, it won’t fall apart easily, that we do not have 20 booths of one medium of art and only 3 of another, and that the works are culturally authentic. This helps maintain the integrity of the event and the art.
Blind jurying means that the jurors review the applications anonymously, they do not know the names or details of the artists, they review the images, and can ask us some questions if more information is required to make a decision. And while the jury panel is anonymous, they are all arts professionals and community members with a strong understanding of the artistic mediums we see the most of for Art in the Park. Their decisions are guided by a shared commitment to quality, inclusivity, and artistic integrity.
Artwork is evaluated based on the following:
- Originality & Creativity
- Craftsmanship & Technique
- Overall Presentation
- Consistency in Style or Medium
- Suitability for an outdoor arts festival setting
Please ensure your photos reflect your best work and showcase the range and consistency of your practice.
3 – 5 high-quality images of your work and 1 booth/display photo if available. Your images should be well-lit, clear, and free of watermarks and identifying logos for blind-jurying.
Yes, you can! If you submit multiple mediums (painting, ceramics, textiles, etc.) you may submit them as part of a single application but be sure to identify each medium and submit 2 photos for each one. Please remember that while you may submit more than one medium, we may accept you but not some of your mediums. So if we approve you for painting and pottery, we may turn down your textiles.
Artists will be notified of their application status within two weeks of the deadline. Notifications will be sent out via email, on acceptance, what happens next, payments, set up, and event logistics. All application details, deadlines, and event updates will be emailed to you, posted on the Kamloops Arts Council website, and/or posted on social media.
It is unfortunate that we cannot accept everyone into Art in the Park. Sometimes, it is because of something in the application that we cannot approve, but other times it has to do with space, and the jurors’ decisions. If you are not accepted due to space, then you do have the option to be put on the waitlist in case one of the other applicants cancels.
If you feel like we have made a mistake, you may send us an email and we can discuss the reasons and feedback, but please remember to remain respectful and calm. It has nothing to do with the number of years you have been a part of the show, sales, or the date you submitted your application (unless it’s past the deadline, but we won’t accept applications in that case), and being rude to the staff will not accomplish anything positive.
- Mass-produced or imported goods
- Work not created by the applicant
- Commercial or resale items
- AI-generated art without significant original handwork
- Work that closely resembles another’s style
- Alcohol
- Food (we do accept dry goods)
- Anything that could hurt people or be seen as a weapon
- Anything portraying graphic violence or nudity
Yayy!!!! It’s good to have buddies, especially for Art in the Park. Co-artists can share a booth but they must each submit:
- A full application and admin fee
- Individual KAC memberships
- Their co-artist’s name on each application
If one is not selected, the other has the choice of paying the full fee or cancelling their application.
Yes, there is an application fee that helps cover the costs for the event, and no, it cannot be used against your registration fee or refunded if you are not accepted. The fee details are listed in the application process.
Yes. Artists are responsible for bring their own 10 x 10, or 10 x 20 pop-up tent, tables, display materials, chairs, and set up needs. KAC does not provide booth infrastructure. We do have a couple of emergency tents for a cost, but these are for rare or emergency circumstances and should not be counted on.
Note: If we notice that you do not have a tent at Art in the Park, you may be asked to leave for health and safety reasons. While we try to provide as much shade as possible, we need to make sure that you are taking the potential environmental conditions seriously. July 1st is traditionally the hottest day of the year, and we want to keep everyone safe. Part of our safety protocols is a guideline to everyone who is accepted, so they know what to bring, and best practices to stay hydrated and safe during the set up, take down and the entire event.
We are always looking for volunteers and performers! You can sign up to help out or take part in other ways. Tune in to our social media platforms and website for opportunities.