• Dorset Art fest is put together by Dorset Art, which is an organisation which provides opportunities for Dorset artists, designers and makers. 
• Dorset Art Fest is open to all artists living or working in Dorset or are members of a Dorset based art group, society or guild.
• All work must be original and made by the exhibiting artist.

What does Dorset Art Fest do for you ?

There is wide-spread recognition of the strong arts sector within Dorset. Dorset is rich in art, with many resident artists which offer something for everyone. 

By participating in Dorset Art Fest, you will receive direct access to buyers and critics, providing sales opportunities and crucial feedback. 

Dorset Art Fest will give artists the opportunity to broaden their audience, create new connections and showcase there creativity.

This will help in building you brand and fostering a larger community connection.

Marketing & Exposure

We will mount an effective publicity campaign, placing features in the media and promoting the festival as a whole on social media to reach a wide audience.

Dorset Art Fest has vigorously analysed the quality, circulation and cost of printed publications to which we have chosen the following to focus on our advertising: 

• Artists & Illustrators - UK with readership of 65000+
• BH Living Magazine - 170000 homes within Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole
• Dorset Magazine - Dorset with readership of 13000+
• Dorset View - East Dorset & West Hampshire Border with readership of 70000+
• East Dorset News - 40000 homes within East Dorset
• Leisure Painter & The Artist - UK with readership of 25000+
• Pier Journal - Dorset with readership of 15000+
• The Blackmore Vale Magazine - North Dorset, South Somerset & South West Wiltshire with readership of 90000+
• The Marshwood Vale Magazine - West Dorset, South Somerset & East Devon with readership of 50000+
• The Purbeck Gazette - Purbeck with readership of 50000+
• The Visitor - Somerset, North Dorset & West Wiltshire with readership of 60000+
• West Dorset Magazine - West Dorset with readership of 60000+

We will start appearing in these from April/May 2026.

Dorset Art Fest is currently in talks to put in place a large-scale, centrally managed "roadside campaign" with generic signs and banners across the entire county. These will start appearing from May 2026 TBC. This will give Dorset Art Fest impactful, 24/7 exposure and the highest of visibility. 

This will align with the signs and banners we provide the artists, which will increase the visibility of the event.

In addition, we will be producing a festival guide & artist directory. These will be distributed throughout Dorset and beyond in June and July TBC. It will also be widely shared in pdf and flipbook formats. 

Dorset Art Fest will be offering free support and extra opportunities throughout the lead up to the festival.

What are your responsibilities ?

To choose a venue that best suit your needs and artform.

As a participant you are expected to distribute a minimum of 25 festival guides, to put up posters locally, to exhibit your work appropriately, to signpost your venue clearly, and to offer a warm welcome.

If you are not able to exhibit during the festival but would like to feature in the guide, advert space is available.