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Chalk the Block 2026 - Art and Artisan Vendor Application

Call for Art and Artisan Vendors

BECOME AN ART, ARTISAN, OR FOOD COTTAGE VENDOR AT CHALK THE BLOCK!
Artisan Vendors with homemade products and original art are invited to apply for the the 19th annual Chalk the Block Public Arts Festival, one of the City of El Paso’s signature festivals happening in fall 2026

ABOUT CHALK THE BLOCK
On October 3rd and 4th, 2026, the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) will host the Chalk the Block Public Arts Festival (CTB19 ). Chalk the Block has become a signature El Paso event that provides an opportunity for the community to experience the Downtown Arts District in a whole new light. The yearly event features a juried competition of sidewalk chalk art, live music, local food & art vendors, and last but not least, large scale temporary public art installations. In a typical year, over 45,000 people attend Chalk the Block, making it the largest public arts festival in the Southwest!

Artisan Vendor Opportunities for Chalk the Block this year are on October 3rd and 4th:

Hours of Operation:
Saturday, October 3rd: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, October 4th: 10:00am – 6:00pm

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Applications must be received by 11:59pm MST on Friday, July 31st. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Submission of application does not guarantee acceptance.

*Accepted art vendors will be notified by September 9th and be notified of payment deadline for their space. A SECURE PAYMENT LINK FROM A MUNICIPAL EMAIL WILL BE SENT. (We do NOT take CashApp or any other form of financial service app for payment.) Any non-paid fees will equate to forfeiture of participation.

*Vendors are responsible for all operation equipment and supplies.
*Spaces are limited and will be selected through a Chalk the Block Panel Review.
*PARTICIPATION IN 2025 OR PAST EVENTS DOES NOT GUARANTEE SELECTION FOR CTB '26 or any other CoEP Festival.


For further information or assistance, please contact Paulina Rosas at (915)212-1769 and/or market@elpasotexas.gov. All technical assistance must be requested by July 28th at 6pm.
ART VENDOR APPLICANT INFORMATION

ART VENDOR CRITERIA AND SELECTION

  • All artwork must be original and handmade by the applicant.
  • Absolutely NO resale items or copyright images or materials are permitted for CTB'26
  • The MCAD Signature Event Committee will review applications with resale itmes for Chalk the Block that are suitable and family friendly.
  • No additional items may be sold (i.e. water, candy, etc.) unless allowed by the coordinator. Providing of services (i.e. facepainting, tarot card reading, henna tattoos, etc.) is also strictly prohibited.
  • These events are family-friendly and artwork must be appropriate for the venue.
  • Art Vendors must have a current Texas Tax ID and operate in compliance with all MCAD vending guidelines and standards.
  • In order to ensure diversity and product integrity the MCAD Signature Event Committee will review all applications and select participants.
    • The MCAD Signature Event Committee looks to include local and regional artists among a wide array of mediums and techniques.
    • Art and artisan vendors not selected will be placed on an Alternate List and contacted in the event of a cancellation. *Please note - alternate vendors may be called on a last-minute basis if spaces open up.
    • MCAD committee reserves the right to curate and limit the number of vendors selected in each category. Please note that vendors with the following items such as Jewelry, Crochet, Woodwork, Beef Jerky etc will be limited due to the high number of applications will get for these.
The Market Food Cottage Vendors:

Current The Market Food Cottage Vendors are invited to apply for our signature events. All food cottage vendors must adhere to Texas Food Cottage Law and Department of Public Health Temporary Food Establishment permitting guidelines. All items sold must be pre-packaged, appropriately labeled, food item sales ONLY.

The committee will rank applications according to the following rubric.

Superb (+5) Excellent (+4) Good (+3) Fair (+2)
Needs Improvement (1)		 Does not meet quality standards (-3) The Market Vendor +1 point
Vendor Booth set up and Photography
Items on brand an on theme to signature event
Variety of product overall
FEES and PERMIT NOTICE

General City of El Paso Vendor Permits are not necessary as the event includes permitting. All selected participants that have paid their dues will be issued a Vendor Permit on the day of Mandatory Orientation.

Vendor Fees (non-refundable):

CHALK THE BLOCK
Regular Artist Rate: $250
Student Rate: $150
School ID belonging to person applying must be submitted with application and at time of payment to receive the discount
The Market Vendor Rate: $150
To qualify for The Market vendor rate, Vendors must have participated in The Market at least 4 times in the 7 months prior to the payment deadline to receive the discount. Attendance will be verified by the The Market Coordinator.


Payment options and deadlines will be discussed at the notification email of approval. A SECURE PAYMENT LINK FROM A MUNICIPAL EMAIL WILL BE SENT. (We do NOT take CashApp or any other form of financial service app for payment.) Any non-paid fees will equate to forfeiture of participation.



IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR VENDOR PARTICIPATION
**Please note:
-All applications are reviewed by a selection panel comprised of MCAD and City staff and community members.
-Participation in The Market or previous MCAD markets or events does NOT guarantee selection/participation at Signature events.
-Accepted The Market vendors MAY be eligible for a discount pending the attendance verification requirement.
-Please note that approval for one event does not mean automatic approval for the others.
VENDING GUIDELINES and EVENT LOGISTICS

VENDOR BOOTH REQUIREMENTS

· Vendors must bring their own supplies and equipment (tent, table, easels, table cloths, weights, chairs, etc).

· Booths may not exceed the standard 10’ X 10’ tent size. For special events - MCAD will only allow white tents or branded tents

· Spaces will be assigned and numbered on the pavement on the morning of set-up.

· Space assignments will be emailed out 24 hours before the event begins.

· Space Assignments are final.

· Vendors MAY NOT reassign themselves but may trade with another participating vendor if approved by the coordinator.

· Booths are Non-Transferable.

** All parties involved in violation of this rule will be barred from the event and future participation.**

· Access to electricity is NOT provided. Gas or propane generators are NOT allowed

· Light towers will be provided in the general vendor area and throughout the event footprint

· Vendor permits must be displayed at all times in booth. Vendors without these permits will be asked to leave.

· All vendors must be set-up and ready for business on time and maintain full operations throughout the event.
Art booths should be fully staffed and stocked at all times.

*MCAD staff will not tolerate harassment of any kind in advance of, during and after the application process and event.

EVENT LOGISTICS
Will be discussed at the orientation.