TAMPA, Fla. - s4story -- The Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, ranked among the top juried art festivals in the U.S., is now accepting artist applications for its 56th annual event, set for February 28–March 1, 2026, in downtown Tampa.

Drawing over 30,000 art lovers each year to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, the Festival is a high-profile opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work to an engaged and diverse audience. Each year, a new set of four nationally recognized arts administrators and educators is empaneled to review artist applications and invite up to 235 to participate in the Festival. Selected artists will compete for a share of at least $92,000 in prize money, including the prestigious $15,000 Raymond James Best-in-Show Award.

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Applications are welcome from artists worldwide.
The deadline to apply is September 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Selected artists will be notified by the end of September.

APPLY NOW: www.GasparillaArts.com
For questions, contact: info@gasparillaarts.com

About Gasparilla Arts, Inc.
Founded in 1971, Gasparilla Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping artists thrive, supporting arts education, and increasing access to the arts for all. Through its signature event, the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, scholarship program, public art installations, and a variety of other year-round initiatives, the organization nurtures creativity, fosters community engagement, and champions the vital role the arts play in shaping a vibrant and inclusive Tampa Bay.