The non-profits section is strategically located in the middle of the fair to encourage maximum foot traffic.

The Ann Arbor Art Fair is comprised of three independently juried, nonprofit art fairs that run consecutively: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair.

Key Art Fair Facts:

• Over 400,000 visitors per year
• Spans over 30 city blocks
• Attendees from around the globe
• Largest art fair in the nation

Applications open February 1, 2025.

Washtenaw Non-Profits operates as a contracted confederation of member organizations, whose goal is member representation at the Ann Arbor summer Fair, as per 1991 City Council resolution. Meeting the terms of the Policies, Rules and Regulations of WNP establishes membership status; decision-making is conducted under simple majority rules with a spirit of agreement-seeking so that the voices and views of each member organization representative are recognized and addressed in reasonable terms. All meetings of the Washtenaw Non-Profits follow open-meeting provisions.

Governance

WNP is governed by an evolving steering committee comprised of past and present member organization representatives. Member organizations are invited to join the governance committee. The committee’s functions include overseeing WNP policies, activities and accounting. See Policies, Rules and Regulations.

 Steering Committee

Annie Dalton (President & Treasurer), John Jourden (Vice President) & Bill Shea (Secretary)

Staff

John Jourden has coordinated and managed the non-profit section of the Ann Arbor Art Fairs since the 1991 Ann Arbor City Council Resolution that ensured its central location in the Fair.

Annie Dalton joined the team in July 2019.  She has a background with Business Management and Event Coordination. Her experience with Sky Foundation Inc. (a non-profit dedicated to pancreatic cancer awareness and funding) will be a great fit for our expanding non-profit section.

February 2020 the Washtenaw Non Profits officially became a nonprofit 501(3)c and will be accepting sponsorships to host the nonprofit section of the Art Fair. For inquiries, please contact Annie at Annie@EventsByAnnie.com.

When do we know we’ve gotten a booth?

Does WNP give membership preference to political, social or religious orientations?

What if our organization is outside of Washtenaw County?

What if our organization has applied too late and all the booth spaces are taken?

What size is the booth?

Where can I get a booth frame or materials for building one?

Do we have to build a booth structure and provide a covering?

How do we ensure that our booth structure conforms to the Fire Marshal’s regulations?

Can we play music, videos or other media?

Can we sell or give away food or drink to starving or parched passers-by?

Can we display or sell any merchandise with a commercial logo?

Can our organization run a fundraising raffle?

Can our organization secure two booth spaces?

We only want a booth for 2 days of the Fair. Can we do this?

Can we have a booth space next to another org whose values and mission chime with ours?

When will I receive a refund for my security deposit?

Do we have to go to meetings? Back To Top

A representative of each WNP member organization is required to attend an organizational zoom meeting scheduled on a date in July 2023 TBD. See calendar.

When do we know we’ve gotten a booth? Back To Top

Once you’ve completed and submitted materials, your organization will appear under Members; member organizations are listed on an ongoing basis in order of receipt of completed application materials.

Does WNP give membership preference to political, social or religious orientations? Back To Top

No. WNP is open to all non-profit organizations, regardless of mission, cause or political orientation and provided they meet the terms of Policies, Rules and Regulations.

What if our organization is out side of Washtenaw County? Back To Top

WNP applications from Washtenaw County non-profit organizations have priority over out-county non-profit applications until June 1st. After that date, out-county organizations outside are accommodated, as space allows. Refer to Policies, Rules and Regulations.

What if our organization has applied too late and all the booth spaces are taken? Back To Top

WNP keeps a waiting list of those organizations whose applications were received after all 75 booth spaces have been assigned of “filled.” After June 1, Washtenaw County and out-county orgs are on equal waitlist footing. Typically, 2 or 3 organizations cancel membership late in the game, thus opening up booth spaces for organizations on the waitlist.

What size is the booth? Back To Top

Booth footprint spaces are 6′ by 6′ and up to 10′ high. Refer to Policies, Rules and Regulations, item 4. Booth spaces do not include framed structures or coverings.

Where can I get a booth frame or materials for building one? Back To Top

Many members use plastic or aluminum piping or wood (provided the latter is flame retardant) to construct the frame. Booth coverings (tarp, canopies, etc.) must comply with the Fire Marshal’s regulations stipulated in the Policies, Rules and Regulations. Structure materials are available at home building supply stores; covering materials are available at camping, tent and some homebuilding stores. Please consider local and independently owned businesses (such as Fingerle, Fox Tent and Awning and others) over mega discount stores.

Do we have to build a booth structure and provide a covering? Back To Top

You are not required to build a booth structure or provide a covering (though given the notoriously fickle Art Fair weather, you’ll want some protection from rain and sun). Some organizations’ booths are comprised simply of a table and a few chairs!

How do we ensure that our booth structure conforms to the Fire Marshal’s regulations? Back To Top

The Fire Marshal’s regulations are stipulated in the Policies, Rules and Regulations, item 5.

Can we play music, videos or other media? Back To Top

Yes, provided that your media does not disturb other WNP members. WNP does not supply electrical connections. In the past, members have requested extension cord hook-ups from nearby businesses. WNP does not facilitate members’ contacts with businesses for this purpose.

Can we sell or give away food or drink to starving or parched passers-by? Back To Top

You can give away sealed, pre-packaged food or ?drink or sealed bottled water. You can ask for donations for these. See Policies, Rules and Regulations, item 3.

Can we display or sell any merchandise with a commercial logo? Back To Top

No. Policies, Rules and Regulations.

Can our organization run a fundraising raffle? Back To Top

Yes, but all such fundraising ventures must comply with the laws governing them pertinent to your organization. See Policies, Rules and Regulations, item 3.

Can our organization secure two booth spaces? Back To Top

A single organization will have the opportunity to obtain 2 booth spaces after all applicants have been registered.  If you have expressed interest in two booths, you will be notified on the week of July 1st.  You can also share your booth space with another non-profit as long as that group is registered as a WNP member. See Policies, Rules and Regulations.

We only want a booth for 2 days of the Fair. Can we do this? Back To Top

No and yes. Booths must be staffed during all hours of the Fair. Many organizations get around this staffing problem by sharing a booth space with another registered WNP member organization. See Policies, Rules and Regulations, Item 10.

Can we have a booth space next to another org whose values and mission chime with ours? Back To Top

You can request such proximity and we’ll do our best to accommodate the request.

When will I receive a refund for my security deposit? Back To Top

All refunds are processed after the fair, usually by mid August.