Young Artist

Marketplace

The 2026 application is now closed

The Young Artist Marketplace is a place for artists age 8-18 to sell their handmade creations for $25 or less.

Young artists benefit from participation in the following ways:

  • Share your creativity with the community by participating in a visible and important part of the Corvallis Fall Festival.

  • Develop marketing and entrepreneurial skills through selling artisan items in an open marketplace.

  • Real-world feedback on displays, packaging, pricing, and other aspects involved in retailing and the business of art.

  • Have fun and build self-confidence while interacting with friends, community members, and visitors.

  • Earn extra money doing what you love!

Participating artists are invited to register for a FREE workshop at the Arts Center on Friday, August 7 to get professional tips and tricks from seasoned artist vendor Jen Hernandez, plus answers to festival-specific questions from CFF Executive Director Donele Searing Starr. Sessions are available from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM and registration is open until all spaces are filled. The workshop registration link will be provided in the confirmation message after completing the YAM Application. You may also request the link by emailing youthandfamily@corvallisfallfestival.org once your application has been submitted.

Program & product requirements:

The Corvallis Fall Festival Young Artist Marketplace is open to regional artists aged 8 through 18 years of age. Our Young Artists must create any object sold at their booth and items will be priced at $25 and under. We have a nominal jury process; artists submit photographs or samples of the items they plan to sell and we review those submissions to ensure they meet the program’s mission. We ask that you submit no more than 2-3 types of items and only sell items that were approved.

A large shared canopy tent, tables, and chairs are provided.  There is no electricity or water available.

Displays are limited to the table-top area only. No hanging items on the canopy or support posts. No advertising, verbally or visually, as a fundraiser for a cause.

We encourage artists aged 8 through 18 to apply! 

  • The following standards and restrictions are in place to protect the safety and integrity of the Young Artist Marketplace:

    • All items must be created or significantly up-cycled by the young artist. No purchased items and/or items made by someone else are allowed.

    • No balloons due to environmental impact and noise.

    • No food, pet food/treats, or drinks since we cannot ensure food code and safety standards.

  • Yes, depending on age. For artists younger than 13 years old, parents or trusted adults must be with them the whole time. For artists 13 years and older, a parent or trusted adult must be available at all times.

  • Each accepted artist should have in their confirmation the day they will have a table. Some artists have Saturday and Sunday. Most artists have either Saturday or Sunday.

    Artists should arrive to set up at 9:30 am on their day of their market. Be ready for visitors by 10 am. The market will go from 10 am - 4 pm on both days. Please do not leave the market early.

  • Yes, friends can visit for a short time, but please ask them to give space to customers browsing your booths. Please don’t let friends stay at the booth with you, which might distract you from customers.

  • Yes! The adult with you can watch your table.

  • Snacks, water, sun protection, hand sanitizer, and a trusted adult or parent to help you with the day. A large shared canopy tent, tables, and chairs are provided.  There is no electricity or water available.

  • Bring about $100-$150 in change in small bills. Bring mostly $1’s and $5’s, and some $10’s. 

    Suggestion from Jen: 20 x $1, 10 x $5, 3 x $10

  • Bring enough to keep the table stocked throughout your entire time at the market. Try to not sell out; make enough to keep the table stocked. Leftover items can be sold in other places or given as gifts for the holidays!

    Please don’t leave the market early.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Each artist will share a table with another artist, getting about 2ft x 2ft space.

  • Yes, but keep it to your side of the table, or ask your table neighbor if they want to use your table cloth.

  • Vertical stands at different heights can help draw attention. You can also hang things from the front of the table, but remember that people might lean against it. Hanging items from the canopy or support posts is not permitted.

  • Yes!

  • Talk to a Corvallis Fall Festival staff member. You don’t need to handle crankiness on your own.

  • Lots of people of all ages come to the market!

  • The Young Artist Marketplace has a limit on how much items can be priced to make it accessible to other youth market visitors.

  • Artists can decide how to handle returns for damages or changed minds, but usually all sales are final. People asking for returns almost never happens.

Have a question that isn’t answered here?

Contact youthandfamily@corvallisfallfestival.org for assistance.