Participation Guidelines

The mission of the annual Texas Folklife Festival is to celebrate our state’s culturally rich heritage and dynamic pioneering spirit. Participants are limited to Texans who can present authentic cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional customs and other cultural elements that reflect the ethnic spirit and heritage of the people of Texas—both past and present.

Participants are needed in the following categories:

• Food Vendors
• Traditional and Contemporary Craft Demonstrators
• Craft Vendors
• Entertainers (musicians, dancers, street performers and storytellers)

If you or your group qualifies for one or more of the categories above, please submit a written request to the Texas Folklife Festival that includes:

1. The category you wish to be considered for;
2. What you do and why you want to be included in the Festival;
3. A brief history about yourself or your group;
4. If you represent an organization, please include the by-laws, charter or constitution and current financial statement along with the size of your group/organization;
5. Dance groups must submit a video featuring a variety of dances;
6. Musicians or storytellers must submit a cassette or CD with a variety of their work along with a photograph.

Each request will be placed on file and are reviewed annually. From those requests, invitations to apply for participation are extended. An invitation to apply is based on budget and space availability, as well as scheduling and operational needs. Once an application is submitted, the criteria used to choose participants include budgetary restrictions, space availability, stage time availability and both representational and operational needs.

If, however, you are not invited to participate, it is a reflection of the Festival’s needs rather than the individuals' or groups’ ability or potential. Please remember that the Festival is organized and managed to be a financially self-supporting event and, therefore, able to provide critical operating funds for other programs at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

Please forward information by U.S. mail to:
Texas Folklife Festival, 801 S. Bowie, San Antonio, Texas 78205

For more information or if you have any questions, please call 210.458.2249 or e-mail joann.andera@utsa.edu.

Food Vendors

• Food vendors are charged a percentage of gross sales.
• Commercial operations and commercial trailers are not allowed.
• No personal profits may be gained from the Festival.
• Rental space is not available.
• Who can apply to be a food vendor?
  • Authentic ethnic organizations whose goal is to promote the culture and heritage of their ethnic group.
  • Staff, volunteers and/or others involved in providing essential services necessary to the Festival.

Traditional and Contemporary Craft Demonstrators

Although we are not able to pay demonstrators, we do offer limited housing and meals if you live 50 miles or more from San Antonio.

• Traditional crafts must reflect the pioneer heritage of our State such as lye soap making, candle making, tinsmithing or other traditional demonstration activities.
• Contemporary arts and crafts of Texas are also welcome.
• Who can apply to be a demonstrator?  Individuals and/or groups who are either active members of an ethnic cultural group or accomplished interpreters of past and/or contemporary traditions may apply.

Craft Vendors

The Festival welcomes resident Texas craftsmen who produce and sell their own creations.

• There is a booth space fee for this category.
• Craftwork must be a high quality product that is unique to Texas.
• Imported items may be considered if they are authentic, made in the country of origin and reflect the culture of that country.

Entertainers

Although we are not able to pay entertainers, we do offer limited housing and meals if you live 50 miles or more from San Antonio.

• Bands/musicians:  Country, Americana, R&B, Bluegrass, Tejano, Ethnic (Klezmer, Cajun, Greek, Czech, etc.)
• Dancers:  Ethnic, folk or contemporary dancers, exhibition dancers
• Street performers:  Stilt walkers, jugglers, clowns, drumming and dancing groups, cyclists, strolling musicians, New Orleans style band, etc.
• Storytellers