While many of the European masters such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gough, and Leonardo di Vinci played a significant role in the development of art, American artists have had their fair share of success. As we continue our journey across the country, lets take a look at the best art festivals in the US.
Be sure to use a USA prepaid SIM card when visiting these festivals to maximise your experience.
Outsider Art Fair, New York
If you are looking for an art festival that celebrates alternative art, look no further than the Outsider Art Fair. Taking place during January on a bi-annual basis, the New York suburb of Chelsea is the focus of artists and art lovers as patrons take refuge from the chilly New York weather to celebrate art.
Established: 1993
Date: January (bi-annualy).
Venue: The Metropolitan Pavillion.
Theme: Alternative Art.
Things to do: Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Tourist attractions: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.
Places to stay: the Carlton Arms Hotel, St Marks Hotel, and The Standard High Line New York.
Organisers: Wide Open Arts
Price: $20 – $75
Visitors: over 500 000.
LA Art Show, Los Angeles
If you are looking to attend one of the biggest art festivals in the USA, then the LA Art Show is for you. Taking place every January and February, the LA Art show is an encyclopedic art exhibition which was originally conceived by the Fine Art Dealers Association (FADA). it is the largest and most comprehensive contemporary art fair on the West Coast.
Established: 1995.
Date: January and February.
Venue: Los Angeles Convention Centre.
Theme: Contemporary Art.
Things to do: the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Tourist attractions: Universal Studios Hollywood, the Griffith Observatory, and The Getty Center.
Places to stay: the Kawada Hotel, The Clouds, and the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel.
Organisers: the LA Art Show Organising Committee.
Price: $10 – $250
Visitors: over 500 000.
FOG Design & Art, San Francisco
FOG is a focal point for early-in-the-year art and design discovery. It is easy to see why this is one of the most anticipated art festivals of the year. One of the best known art fairs in San Francisco, the focus of the west coast turns to the Fort Mason campus which always amazes and excites art and design lovers from all over the world.
Established: 1987
Date: late January.
Venue: Fort Mason Centre
Theme: contemporary art
Things to do: Cable Cars, the Walt Disney Family Museum, the California Academy of Sciences.
Tourist attractions: Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Oracle Park.
Places to stay: the LUMA Hotel San Francisco, The LINE San Francisco, The Mosser Hotel.
Organisers: Fog Design + Art Steering Committee.
Price: Free
Visitors: over 500 000
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Michigan
If you are looking for an art fair that celebrates local artists, than the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the festival that you need to attend. Celebrated over multiple days, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair takes street art to a new level and showcases talent that sells and undertakes commissioned work from interested patrons.
Established: 1960
Date: July
Venue: University of Michigan
Theme: Street Art
Things to do: the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Gallup Park, and The Creature Conservancy.
Tourist attractions: Michigan Stadium, the University of Michigan, and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Places to stay: the Bell Tower Hotel, Sonesta Simply Suites Detroit Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Regent Hotel and Suites.
Organisers: The Ann Arbor Art Fair Organising Committee
Price: Free
Visitors: over 400 000.
The Old Town Art Fair, Chicago.
The Old Town Art Fair in Chicago is one of the biggest art festivals in the USA. Exhibiting pieces from over 200 artists, the festival attracts over 40 000 tourists a year that want to view the best that US artists have to offer.
Established: 1950
Date: June
Venue: Old Town Triangle Historic District
Theme: Contemporary and Classical Art
Things to do: Six Flags Great America, Wolff’s Flea Market, the Blaum Bros Distilling Co.
Tourist attractions: The Art Institute of Chicago, Lake Michigan, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Places to stay: Baymont by Wyndham Morton, Super 8 by Wyndham Rochelle, Best Western Oswego Hotel.
Organisers: Old Town Triangle Association
Price: Free
Visitors: Over 400 000
If you are looking to take a break from conventional sightseeing, visiting the best art festivals in the US will allow you to reset your battery.
Top 5 Best USA art & craft festivals FAQ
- What is an alternative festival?
An alternative festival is a festival that celebrates something that is not mainstream. Some of the best examples are alternative music and art festivals.
- How many alternative festivals are held in the United States?
There are over 50 alternative festivals that are held in the United States.
- What is the biggest USA alternative festivals?
The biggest alternative art festival in the USA is the LA Art Show.
- Which USA state has the most alternative festivals?
The state in the USA that has the most alternative festivals is California.
- What is the most popular alternative festival in the USA?
The most popular alternative art festival in the USA is the LA Art Show.
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