Ann Arbor Art Fairs

The Ann Arbor Art Fairs are a group of four award-winning, not-for-profit United States art fairs that take place annually in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over 500,000 visitors attend the fairs each year. Prior to 2016, the fair ran Wednesday through Saturday. Beginning in 2016, the days have shifted and the fair will run Thursday through Sunday.

The four official fairs are the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original (52 years); the State Street Art Fair (44 years); the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair (42 years); and Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair (12 years).

In addition to art exhibits, the fairs feature music performances and children's activities.

The oldest of the four, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original, was established in 1960 by a collaboration between the Ann Arbor Art Association, the University of Michigan, and two business groups. Originally the Art Association did not believe artist would want their work to be displayed in the street stating, “No good artist will sit in the street.” The Association commissioned a study and eventually agreed to the idea.

The first fair attracted only 132 artist, 99 of them being local, by the third annual fair there were 220 artists. It was the first fair to jury an outdoor show in 1965 and created the online jurying system Zapplication, now in use by fairs across the country.

The fair has initiated events like the Townie Street Party, a free kick off event takes place the Monday before the start of the fairs and gives the community a chance to celebrate the art fairs before the crowds come to town. Other programs like the Kid’s Art Fair give young artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work. The New Artist Program allows university level artists to experience what it’s like to fully participate in the Street Art Fair.

The Performances on the Lawn program is mix of music, dance and magic by local community groups and professionals.

The Original Fair introducing the Zero Waste Program in 2008 with a goal of minimal environmental impact. This program was one of three invited to present at the 2009 annual MFEA Conference.

As a result of its leadership, The Original Fair has won awards, including the Governors Award (State of Michigan), several Reader’s Choice Awards (Ann Arbor News, Ann Arbor Current), a Gold Pinnacle Award (International Festivals and Events Association), and the title of the Number One Art Fair in the country (according to the AmericanStyle magazine readers survey, October 2004). It has made the list of Top Ten Fairs and Festivals every year since.

In 2003, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original relocated to North University Avenue and the streets surrounding the landmark Burton Memorial Tower. The new location on the University of Michigan’s Central Campus is set amidst elegant architecture and beautifully landscaped pedestrian walkways.

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