About the 2010 Salem Art Fair & Festival
2011 Salem Art Fair & Festival

July 16-18 2010 at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Oregon
Produced by the Salem Art Association (SAA) as its annual fundraiser, the Salem Art Fair & Festival highlights the work of more than 200 fine artists and craftspeople from across the U.S. and Canada.
Other attractions include:
  • Live music and performances on two stages.
  • Hands-on art-making activities for kids.
  • Tours of the historic Bush House Museum.
  • Art exhibits at the Bush Barn Art Center.
  • Food fare and gourmet goodies in two food courts.
  • Northwest wines and micro brew beers in two wine and beer gardens.

Art Fair Admission

Picture
• $5 per day
• $7 for a weekend pass
• Free for kids under 12
• Free admission on Friday from 10 am - noon

Hours
Friday & Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm with main stage performances from 8 to 9:30 pm
Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

Salem Art Fair & Festival FAQs

What is the Value of the Salem Art Fair & Festival?
  • Community Pride: The Salem Art Fair & Festival has become a well-loved tradition and point of pride that is annually attended by 80,000+ individuals (estimated).
  • Supporting Local Nonprofits: Approximately 70 other nonprofit community organizations benefit by operating food booths, kids’ court art activities, and informational booths on site.
  • Promoting Tourism: Salem Art Fair & Festival attendees and artists bring significant revenue to the Salem area drawing people from around the Northwest.
  • Promoting Volunteerism: The Art Fair provides volunteer opportunities for over 3,000 individuals from around the area.
  • Showcases Quality Art: The quality of art is such that Salem Art Association’s Salem Art Fair & Festival is ranked 38th in the nation and in the top 3 among Northwest Art Fair and Festivals.
  • Serves Artists & Art Collectors: Provides adornment through art and memorabilia for homes and businesses in the area and provides a showcase for outstanding local artists.

How was the Decision Reached to Charge Admission?
The Salem Art Association Board of Directors reached out to the community via Art Fair stakeholders, organizations, sponsors, neighborhood associations, and community leaders to discuss the admission issue.

The reasons for an admission fee include:
  • Donations and artist booth fees do not bring in enough revenue to support essential programs of the Salem Art Association.
  • The percentage of SAF&F attendees who donated at the gate has been no more than 13% of attendance. A recent sample survey indicates that over 50% of attendees reportedly earning over $80,000.00.
  • The artists already pay one of the highest booth fees relative to other art fairs.

Why is the Salem Art Association Important?
The Salem Art Association (SAA) is a non-profit corporation with an annual operating budget of one million dollars, with fifteen full or part-time employees. Although there are other sources of revenue, the primary fundraiser for SAA is the Salem Art Fair and Festival.

SAA is valuable to Salem and its surrounding communities because it:
  • Sponsors the Salem Art Fair and Festival.
  • Provides art instruction in regional schools (over 11,000 local children served annually) through its School Programs.
  • Provides a the area with a High School Intern Program.
  • Provides an Artists Services Program for regional professional artists.
  • Operates the Bush House Museum and preserves Oregon pioneer culture and history through exhibits.
  • Provides exhibitions and programs in the galleries of the Bush Barn Art Center.
  • Participates in downtown initiatives through Project Space.
  • Provides a “voice at the table” on discussions about art and cultural issues in the city of Salem.

Contact Us | PLEASE- no dogs at the Salem Art Fair & Festival