McLean Artfest 2026
Produced by the McLean Community Center;
in partnership with McLean Project for the Arts
Application deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
Thank you for your interest in exhibiting at the 19th annual McLean Artfest festival, formally MPAartfest. McLean Artfest is a juried festival showcasing over 30 local & regional visual artists. This FREE community event features contemporary art, a Children’s Art Walk, gourmet food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and some of the best local musicians in the DC metro area. We welcome McLean Community Center in their expanded role as event producer of this year’s festival. MPA will continue to manage the artist exhibitor applications, jury process and artist selection, and artist relations.
Festival Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10AM-4PM
Location: McLean Central Park
1468 Dolley Madison Blvd, McLean VA 22101
Park access: Dolley Madison Library Parking Lot
1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean, VA
Fees: (if accepted) $300.00
Paid to the McLean Community Center
Artists will be notified by August 14, 2026, and all accepted artists will receive an Acceptance Contract to complete and sign. Once signed, all accepted artists will receive a payment link to pay the exhibitor booth fee and complete the application process from the McLean Community Center. All exhibitor booth fees must be paid by September 1, 2026.
Accepted Artists will receive their welcome packet after their exhibitor booth fee has been processed. All accepted artists will receive one (1) 10x10 tent with one (1) 8ft table and two (2) folding chairs. Artists are to bring a floor-length tablecloth.
The festival is held rain or shine, but if weather or other conditions are extremely unfavorable, festival officials reserve the right to cancel all activities. There is no rain date for the festival.
Please note electricity and water are not available in the park. Generators are not permitted.
The Exhibitor including, but not limited to its employees, agents and/or volunteers will be responsible for its operations and every part thereof, and for all materials, tools, equipment, appliances, and property used in connection therewith whether owned or leased by the Exhibitor or owned or leased by the McLean Community Center (MCC) and the County of Fairfax. The Exhibitor assumes all risks of direct and indirect damages or injury to person or property wherever located, resulting from any action, omission, commission or operation under this agreement, or in connection in any way whatsoever. Exhibitors are solely responsible for the security of their booths. Booths must be attended at all times during the entirety of the event hours by an adult 18 years or older.
All photos taken during the event may be used for promotional purposes by MCC. By participating in this festival, the Exhibitor, their staff, volunteers, and subcontractors authorize the use of all photos obtained.
Artists retain 100 percent of all event sales at McLean Artfest.
To Enter:
1. IMAGES Artists may submit up to ten high resolution images in JPEG format. Each image should be labeled with the artist’s last name, first name and image number (example, smith.jane1.jpeg)
2. LIST OF IMAGES Include artist name, title of piece, sales price, medium, size and year completed.
3. ARTIST STATEMENT
4. CURRENT RESUME 5. WEBSITE/ SOCIAL MEDIA
NOTIFICATION: Whether you have been selected or not, notification will be sent to you via email. For further information or questions, please contact: Jen Lillis, jlillis@mpaart.org