YEA! (Young Emerging Artists)
A unique opportunity for students in grades K-12 to coordinate their own youth arts festival, YEA! allows young artists to gain practical experience in event organization, marketing, presentation, and sales.
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Student artists present their handcrafted goods in an artist market while young performers showcase their talent on a performance stage. Decatur Arts Alliance provides the venue, tables, and event necessities; the student artists coordinate the rest!
FAQ
What is "YEA!"?
YEA! (Young Emerging Artists) is a student-led arts event that includes an artists’ market and student performances. Decatur community students in grades K-12 complete an application detailing the artwork they’d include in a booth or their proposed performance, and invited artists are selected via a random lottery after the application period closes.
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Decatur Arts Alliance provides tables, chairs, and tents (if outdoor booths). Students must bring all necessary materials to decorate their booth space, display their artwork, and collect payment. This program is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial skills in the arts, so guardians are encouraged to permit students’ independence during the event.
When will "YEA!" be this year?
YEA! has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 23, 2025 between 1-5pm.
Where will "YEA!" be located?
The 2024 YEA! event will occur inside the Solarium, with performances and some upperclassmen artist booths on the front lawn. The address is 319 W Hill St., Decatur, GA 30030.
How does a young artist apply?
Artists may apply for an artist booth and/or a performance slot by using the application form below.
When are applications available?
Applications will be available beginning in February of 2025 exclusively on the Decatur Arts Alliance website.
When are applications due?
Application deadlines will be announced around the end of January of 2025.
How are the accepted artists notified?
The Decatur Arts Alliance will contact artists directly via the email provided on the application to notify them of acceptance results. Artists will be notified of the jury’s decisions by Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
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Artists are required to confirm their participation by Monday, August 5, 2024.
Which artistic disciplines are appropriate?
The suggested artists’ market disciplines on the YEA! application include, but are not limited to: Jewelry, Photography, Drawing/Painting, Sculpture/Ceramics, Mixed Media, Health/Beauty, Candle/Soap, and Culinary Arts.Â
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Performances could include singing, playing an instrument, dancing, poetry or spoken word, or group skit performances, among other disciplines.Â
Are any artistic disciplines/content not permitted?
In consideration of the youth-centered nature of the program, the Decatur Arts Alliance reserves the right to remove artwork/end a performance that is considered offensive or inappropriate. Art should not be overtly mature in content and should be appropriate for all ages K-12. No health or beauty services will be permitted, including Henna tattooing.
How long are the performance slots?
There are no restrictions on performance length! Students are invited to provide details about their performance type and length when applying. As invited performers will be randomly selected via lottery, DAA reserves the right to adjust the performance lengths as necessary.
Can artists apply in pairs or as a group?
Absolutely! Artists can indicate on their application if they’d like to share a booth table or perform with other artists.
Can an artist apply for both a booth space and performance slot?
Yes, artists can apply for both a booth space and as a performer. A random lottery will select participating artists for both elements of the event, so acceptance to one aspect does not guarantee acceptance to the other. If the artist is accepted to both elements, they must secure a youth booth sitter during their performance time. Adults are not permitted to manage the booth in any capacity.
Do you have to live in Decatur or attend City of Decatur schools to participate?
Any young emerging artist in the Decatur community is welcome to submit an application. This could include students whose parents work in the city, who attend classes in Decatur, or who are enthusiastic about the many great experiences Decatur has to offer!
How are artists selected?
After the application window closes, Decatur Arts Alliance staff will input the names of all artists’ market applicants into an online random selection tool, which will determine the invited artists. Performers will be selected via the same process.
Will there be a waitlist?
Yes, a short waitlist will be determined and notified of their status, in the event that an invited student artist is unable to participate.
Is there an application fee?
No, there is no fee to apply!
Is there a participation fee?
Yes, invited artists’ market participants will need to submit a $10 booth fee using the link provided via email to reserve their spot. Booth fees are due by Monday, August 5th.
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There is no participation fee for performers.
Do artists have to share a percentage of their sales?
No, Decatur Arts Alliance doesn’t take any percentage of sales. All profit is for the artists!
Will there be a sound system available for performances?
Yes, Decatur Arts Alliance will provide microphones and a speaker system. Performers should provide any cables necessary to plug in instruments to a sound system. Â
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Please be aware that any backing tracks must be provided to DAA staff by Monday, August 5th.
What is required for the Artist Booths?
Decatur Arts Alliance doesn’t require specific setup for booths, but artists are encouraged to consider what elements might make for a successful booth experience. Some jumping off points to consider:
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Booth decor: table coverings or decorations (limited outdoor upperclassman booths will have tent coverings and could have hanging decor)
Artwork display methods: easels, boxes for various display height levels, jewelry display cases
Signage: booth sign, price list, artist process details
How involved can parents/guardians be?
This event is for young emerging artists to develop necessary entrepreneurial skills for a career in the arts. All artwork must be crafted by the student artist, and we encourage parents/guardians to allow students to lead the preparation and set-up process.
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Parents/guardians are NOT permitted in the artist booths during the event. Participating Artists should be capable of independently facilitating the sale of their artwork.
What happens if the artist needs to step away from their booth momentarily?
Artists may request a student booth sitter if they need to take a short break. Parents/guardians are NOT permitted to run the booth at any point. More information about requesting a booth sitter will be provided in the welcome email.
If the applicant is not selected via lottery, can they participate in another capacity?
Absolutely! Students are encouraged to volunteer to help set up tables and tents, as a booth sitter during the event, and to help with breakdown.
Application
Please carefully review the information provided in the FAQ above.
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FAE! has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 1-5pm at the Solarium.
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Announcements will be posted when applications open up in February of 2025.Â
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If you have any questions, you may email ArtSubmissions@DecaturArtsAlliance.org
