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May is Washington State Arts Education Month. Join us on the first Friday in May to kick off our celebration with the Bellingham Children’s Art Walk presented by Allied Arts of Whatcom County. For the first two weeks in May, stroll through downtown where over 50 businesses will be exhibiting works by youth created in schools througout Whatcom County.
Allied Arts Reuse Thrift Store is a program that is seeking to benefit the community in Whatcom County. The purpose of this store is to sell re-used products or materials to make arts, to explore creatively, and to have new conceptions of art. Items for sale are collected through donations, and sold at lower costs or are re-purposed in our Arts Education Project.
The Arts and Culture Guide is a comprehensive list of studio, gallery, performing arts center, theatre, or other arts-related business in Bellingham and surrounding areas. We print thousands of copies, which are featured in local hotels, tourism and visitor centers, libraries, bookstores and other locations; as well as in all the locations featured on the map.
The Holiday Festival of the Arts is an indoor and online, 5 week-long festival featuring over 100 artisans from our region. The two-fold purpose of our festivals is to encourage and support the creation and sale of locally produced fine art and craft while providing an opportunity to connect artists and craftspeople with the general public.
RARE provides a platform for eco-friendly artists to showcase their art created from recycle materials. RARE also promotes art organizations and facilities that incorporate sustainability in their facilities and programs. One of our main objectives for this event is to educate the community on the role that the arts can play in the sustainability movement.
Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival Application
***All dates and protocols subject to change pending the most up to date COVID-19 information***
Please fill out the application on this page or click here to fill out a pdf version and submit by the application due date
Applications Due: February 9, 2024
Event Date: March 15, 16 & 17, 2024
Event location: Performances, Art & Craft Exhibition at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
This year’s Cultural Arts Festival will consist of an exhibition and vendors at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and online market, live interactive workshops and performances.
The Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival seeks to celebrate the various diverse cultures that populate our great area. We invite people of all backgrounds to show off what makes their culture unique through fine art, craft, food, song, dance, storytelling and any other creative endeavor.
Representation of as many cultures as possible is a festival goal. Participants are asked to create artwork, performances or food that is inspired by their cultural training and background. Participants of all skill levels working in all mediums are encouraged to apply.
Allied Arts Membership is not required to apply for participation in Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival, but it is greatly appreciated. Click here to become a member.
The following are descriptions and expectations for each type of opportunity within the festival. If you have any questions, please email artsfestival@alliedarts.org
Opportunities for Visual Artists and Craftspeople
Artists can have a booth or two to display of items at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Single booths are 3′ deep x 6’wide double booths will be two 3′ deep x 6’wide spaces. As well as a store on the Allied Arts Online Market.
*A double booth is possible depending on the number of entries.
Performances, Workshops, and Presentations
We are looking for music, performing arts, workshops and presentations that fit the Cultural Arts theme, for example but not limited to a musical theater performance or a musical performances representing our cultural diversity. Please attach a description of your proposed performance. Compensation will be available for select performances based on funding.
Use the online form below to complete your application, or you may a printable PDF version here. If you choose to print your application:
Mail packets to:
Allied Arts of Whatcom County
Whatcom Cultural Art Festival
PO Box 2584
Bellingham, WA 98227
Drop off applications at: The Allied Arts of Whatcom County offices, located at 1213 Cornwall Avenue, in Downtown Bellingham. We are open Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 4pm.
Children's Art Walk - Business Registration
Important Dates to Remember:
- April 1st: Registration & Payment Deadline
- April 29 & 30: Installation of Artwork
- May 2nd: Children’s Art Walk
- May 16th & 17th: Artwork Removal
For additional questions, contact caw@alliedarts.org
Click here for PDF version of Application
"*" indicates required fields
Holiday Festival Application
Please read the following guidelines and timeline information before beginning your application. All 2025 Holiday Festival applications are due by April 24, 2026 at 4:00pm. Juried decisions are made in May.
If you have any questions about any part of the application contact us at (360) 676-8548 or email us at holidayfestival@alliedarts.org
The Holiday Festival of the Arts is a five-to-six-week-long indoor arts festival featuring 100 artisans from our region. Aside from vendors selling their wares, the festival boasts live music and workshops for children on the weekends. The booths are unstaffed, with central checkout, meaning we stay the long hours for you.
**NOTE** This is a highly competitive juried festival. Allied Arts strives to choose a varied selection of new and returning exhibitors in a wide range of media and price points. Participants from last year are not automatically accepted again this year.
Festival Dates: November 20 – December 24, 2026
Set up: Tuesday and Wednesday November 17 & 18 times TBA
Festival Hours: November 20 – December 24 Seven Days a Week 10am – 6pm Closed Thanksgiving Day, Closing at 3pm on December 24
Take-down and Clean up: December 24, 26 & 27, times TBA
Guidelines for the 2026 Holiday Festival
By applying to the 2026 Holiday Festival, you are agreeing to comply with the following guidelines:
Application deadline Friday, April 24th, 2026 by 4pm. All applications must include images, application form and needed Allied Arts Business membership, to be considered for the Holiday Festival.
Artists may only display work in the categories in which they are accepted.
All work must be hand-made by the artist applying: no work from kits, commercial plans, mass produced, factory made or assembled items are permitted. The artist must have direct, hands-on involvement over the creative and production processes. Soap, bath and body, and food vendors must submit ingredient lists for their products.
Artists may not exhibit the work of other artists.
All work displayed must be of the quality submitted for jurying. Allied Arts reserves the right to require removal of items that are not of the quality and/or category approved through the jury process.
In order to sustain a high quality of work, everyone must jury, regardless of past participation.
Work must be merchandised within the allotted booth space in a creative and artistic manner.
Allied Arts of Whatcom County reserves the right to make any necessary alteration to a booth to attain the highest level of presentation.
Inventory must be maintained at a reasonable level throughout the duration of the show. Allied Arts of Whatcom County reserves the right to refuse future participation to any artist not maintaining their inventory.
All vendors are required to complete three (3) 3-hour shifts for a single booth and 3 additional 3-hour shifts for a double booth to receive the 30% commission rate. If artists do not complete these shifts, a 50% commission will be taken and your participation in future festivals may be jeopardized.
Membership Requirements:
Allied Arts requires that everyone who applies for the 2026 Holiday Festival, must be an Allied Arts Business Member. To upgrade your membership to become a Business Member please check the appropriate box on the application form and include your dues payment with your submission.
Application Guidelines:
**NOTE** The jury committee may not be familiar with your work. Supplying quality photos of your works and booth set-ups is highly encouraged.
Applications are due no later than April 24, 2026 | INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
To be considered for the 2026 Holiday Festival your application must include:
- 4 – 10 current images: High-quality photographs taken within the last 2 Digital files must be at least 300 dpi and in jpg format. If you have participated in other festivals, please include at least one picture of your display. If you are accepted, your images may be used for publicity now and in the future.
- An image list with descriptions of each (Include size, medium, price and year produced)
- A brief description of your technique and/or artist’s Soap, bath and body, and food vendors please include ingredient lists for your products.
Mail packets to: Allied Arts of Whatcom County
2026 Holiday Festival
PO Box 2584
Bellingham, WA 98227
Drop off packets at: The Allied Arts of Whatcom County offices, located at 1213 Cornwall Avenue, in Downtown Bellingham. We are open Tuesday through Saturday 11am to 4pm.
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your photographs or CDs returned. If you are accepted to participate, your portfolio will not be returned until after the festival.
If you have any questions about any portion of this application, please call us at 360-676-8548 x102, or email at holidayfestival@alliedarts.org.
Online Holiday Festival 2026 Application Form
HF 2026 Vendor Application.docx
RARE Application
Below is the application and guidelines for the recycled art exhibit. You may fill out the application online using the form at the bottom of this page, or download a PDF version of the application here: RARE Application 2025.
Application Due: Friday, March 4th, 2025 by 4pm – No Jury Fees!
We invite artists, businesses and organizations that focus on our environment and sustainability with a passion for recycled art to become a part of RARE. Allied Arts Membership is not required to apply for participation in RARE, but very appreciated. Click here to become a member.
Definition of recycled For the purpose of RARE, we define recycled art as consisting of at least 75% materials that would otherwise have been thrown away if not for their creative use in art. The following are descriptions and expectations for each type of opportunity within the expo. If you have any questions please email gallery@alliedarts.org
Artist Exhibitors
You can jury to be a part of the ReArt Show held at the Allied Arts Gallery downtown. Artists may submit up to three fine art pieces for consideration to be included in the exhibit. Allied Arts Membership is not required to apply for participation, but very appreciated. Makers who create smaller multiples of the same item may have a small display on one of our pedestals in the gallery with more than three pieces. Display requirements will be discussed when accepted.
Special requirements Artist exhibitor applicants must attach a long (100 word) and short (25 word) description of the work they plan to show and what the pieces are made of. Applicants must also provide at least 4 digital images (digital or hardcopy) of their work and accompanying image list to be reviewed by a jury.
Workshop Facilitators
Workshops can teach anything from “how to market your green art”, to kids recycled art, to salvage garden art and more! Workshop facilitators must provide all of their own art materials. Workshop holders may charge a fee for their class, with commission taken by Allied Arts of Whatcom County.
Special requirements Please attach a description of your workshop idea to this application. Please limit the description to one page and include photos to help give the jury a better understanding of what you will be teaching during the workshop. Answer questions like, what is the final product going to be? Will each person in the class be making something to take home? What are your learning objectives? The locations of the workshops are TBD and the information you provide will help us select the most suitable venue.
Speakers
role of speakers at RARE is to communicate the importance of recycled art. Speakers can include artists, sustainability experts, conservation activists etc. Topics can be broad but must have an emphasis on green themed artistic endeavors.
Special requirements Please attach a description of what your speech will be about and a resume of prior speaking engagements.
Performances
Live performances at Allied Arts Gallery April 4. We are looking for music and performing arts that fit the RARE theme, for example but not limited to a, “Stomp-like” musical theater performance (music made with garbage cans or other salvage materials), a musical performance powered by al-ternative energy, or even a recycled fashion show. The performing arts are often overlooked as re-cycled art and RARE is unique in that we want to be one of the first celebrations of recycled art to bring the performing arts to life.
Special requirements Please attach a description of your proposed performance. You may also send us a audio/video recording of your performance. Include any facility requirements in your description. Performance locations are TBD and the information you provide will help us select the best venue. Please be aware that this a rain or shine event.
If you are interested in participating in one of the above categories, please fill out the following page.
Business and Non-Profit Table
$50: 3’ x 6’ table in the Allied Arts Gallery for April (non-profit booths are $35). Business and Non-Profit tables will be a part of the Allied Arts exhibit. Businesses working in sus-tainable materials and products, and local non-profits can interact with the community and sell their wares.
Special requirements Booth applicants must attach a long (25 word) description of the work they will be selling and what the items are made of to be used in publicity. Applicants must also provide at least 4 images (digital on a CD or printed hardcopy) of their work to be reviewed by a jury committee.
Arts & Culture Guide Application
Applications for the 2025 – 2026 Whatcom County Arts and Culture Guide is now open! Click here to access the application.
Submit by March 28, 2025.