Downtown Ann Arbor I State Street District

Welcome to the District!

527 E. Liberty, Suite 210 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 USA

The Ann Arbor State Street District Neighborhood Association assists in planning for the future to provide a clean, safe, and vital neighborhood. The State Street District is home to the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

The Ann Arbor Art Fair History @ State Street

Art Fair Week in Ann Arbor is made possible by the coming together of three distinct, award-winning fairs that make up the '''Ann Arbor Art Fair''' in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nearly 500,000 visitors attend the fairs each year. Each of the fairs has its own unique flavor and dedicated following, drawing close to half a million attendees over three days in July. The largest juried art fair in the nation, the Ann Arbor Art Fair features nearly 1,000 artists and a footprint spanning 30 city blocks in downtown Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is comprised of three independently juried, nonprofit art fairs that run concurrently: Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, The Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair.

The Ann Arbor State Street Area Art Fair, originating in 1968 and sponsored by the State Street District, holds a special place in the Ann Arbor Art Fair tradition. Supported by the State Street Area Association (DBA State Street District) in collaboration between arts & culture organizations and downtown businesses, the fair has maintained its commitment to community development and artist opportunities expanded over time. The Ann Arbor Art Fair (AAAF) Directors of the Street, Guild, and State Street continue to work together with to make the Ann Arbor Art Fair a success spanning 30 city blocks and co-host events for the community to support its' success.

The Ann Arbor State Street Fair is proud to align with the founding intent of Bargain Days partnership by collaborating with merchants throughout the city in support of Artists and provide the Ann Arbor Art Fair Marketplace. These partnerships result in outdoor dining, activities, and sidewalk sales to help create a dynamic experience for both artists and visitors. Its unique funding model, where 100% of revenue goes back into supporting artists, local businesses, and community events, reflects the fair's dedication to its founding principles.

Over the years, the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair has evolved, now featuring around 200 artists displaying their creations along Liberty, Maynard, E. William, and North U. Additionally, paying homage to the roots of Bargain Days, the Ann Arbor Art Fair transforms city streets into vibrant merchant marketplace, where businesses, restaurants, and community organizations contribute to the lively atmosphere.

An integral aspect of the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair's mission is to nurture emerging talent and local support. The fair actively provides a dedicated section for up-and-coming artists, offering them a platform to showcase their work and connect with a broader audience. This emphasis on affordability, access, and opportunity contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the local art community to include partnerships with MSTAMPS, Creative Washtenaw, Creative Expressions, Michigan Arts Access, and Bivouac going back to 1970.

With its rich history, the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair has earned prestigious awards, with "Best of Show" accolades standing out. These awards underscore the fair's commitment to excellence, recognizing outstanding artists for their exceptional contributions. Overall, the State Street Art Fair remains a cornerstone of the Ann Arbor Art Fair tradition, embodying the spirit of community support and artistic innovation. In addition to art exhibits, the fairs feature food, music performances, demonstrations and interactive art activities.

The idea of the fair was born in 1959 when Artisans owner, Bruce Henry, approached the Ann Arbor Art Association asking if it would put on an “arts and crafts market” in conjunction with the merchants' Summer Bargain Days. The fair was originally planned in 1959 as a way to draw increased crowds and attention to the Summer Bargain Days where merchants ran sidewalk sales and other promotions to encourage downtown shopping. Institution of the Street Art Fair began during the 32nd Annual Bargain Days in 1960, July 20-22. The objectives of the first fair were "to enable the public to meet, talk with and buy from professional artists" and "to provide an interchange of ideas and techniques."

One of the founders and early committee leaders was Esther Rainville. She was instrumental in establishing the long range vision and plans for a permanent, annual art fair of high caliber. Local organizations involved in the founding fair included the Ann Arbor Art Association (AAAA), the Chamber of Commerce, Businessmen's Association, and the University of Michigan. In all, over one hundred local artists sold their work or gave demonstrations at the first fair. Because of the fair's success in its first year, organizers decided to make it an annual fair which has grown due to community engagement and participation.

According to an Ann Arbor News article from 1960, the first fair spanned South University from East University to Forrest Avenue. According to the Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) archive, the weather during the first Art Fair was sunny and in the 80s and included 132 artists. The artists, according to an Ann Arbor District Library online gallery of Art Fair history, made $4,500 total. By 1968, sales during the fair reached $150,000. Applications had originally been accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The fair proved so popular that by 1964 it had grown to 380 artists, necessitating the first jurying for quality control. As the fair grew, concerns grew about its size and intended focus on local talent. To support growth, a jurying process was instituted in 1965 for the 1966 fair and continues to this day for all three Fairs that make up the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Important priorities have included the relationship with the local merchants association's and the establishment of closer working ties amongst the fairs. As such, a Three Fairs Committee was formed in 1990 to investigate ways of increasing cooperation among the fairs.

While the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair did not officially incorporate until 1968, State Street area businesses were instrumental in the founding, growth, and engagement of the fair with Bargain Days in downtown Ann Arbor during and in collaboration with the AAAF founders. State Street is proud to continue this tradition in partnership with merchants at the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

The Ann Arbor State Street Fair continues to align with the founding intent of a Bargain Days partnership by collaborating with merchants throughout the city in support of Artists and through the Ann Arbor Art Fair Marketplace. These partnerships result in outdoor dining and merchant engagement to help create a dynamic experience for both artists and visitors. Its unique funding model, where 100% of revenue goes back into supporting artists, local businesses, and community events, reflects the fair's dedication to its founding principles.

An integral aspect of the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair's mission is to nurture emerging talent and local support. The fair actively provides a dedicated section for up-and-coming artists, offering them a platform to showcase their work and connect with a broader audience. This emphasis on affordability, access, and opportunity contributes to the growth and vibrancy of the local art community to include partnerships with MSTAMPS, Creative Washtenaw, Creative Expressions, Michigan Arts Access, and Bivouac going back to 1970.

Over the years, the Ann Arbor State Street Art Fair has evolved, now featuring around 200 artists displaying their creations along Liberty, Maynard, E. William, and North U. Additionally, paying homage to the roots of Bargain Days, the Ann Arbor Art Fair transforms city streets into vibrant merchant marketplace, where businesses, restaurants, and community organizations contribute to the lively atmosphere.

With its rich history, the Ann Arbor Art Fair has earned prestigious awards, with "Best of Show" accolades standing out for all three Fairs. These awards underscore the fair's commitment to excellence, recognizing outstanding artists for their exceptional contributions. Overall, the State Street Art Fair remains a cornerstone of the Ann Arbor Art Fair tradition, embodying the spirit of community support and artistic innovation. In addition to art exhibits, the fairs feature food, music performances, demonstrations and interactive art activities.

SOURCES

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