All interested artists who are 18 years or older must complete an online application and submit it by Monday, September 7, 2026.

Selected artists will be assigned large scale spaces within which to complete their work.  

The available sizes for open call artists are:

6 ft. x 4 ft.
7 ft. x 7 ft. 
12 ft. x 8 ft. 
12 ft. x 10 ft.
12 ft. x 12 ft. 

Smaller 2ft x 2ft spaces, called Bambino squares, are available to the public for purchase during the festival and do not require an artist application. Artists of any age may purchase and create artwork using Bambino squares. There are no age restrictions for Bambino squares. Additionally, as these spaces are not juried, they are not subject to the professional artist public domain/copyright rules. Bakersfield Museum of Art staff reserve the right to remove artwork created in Bambino squares if judged to be obscene or offensive.

Artists under 18 years old are welcome to participate within a school or youth group. Click here for more details.

Applying artists can include up to 3 artwork options within their application. Each option will be considered equally by the Via Arté Committee; pop culture images are discouraged. Artists can request preferred square sizes, but requests are not guaranteed. 

Once selected, each artist must create the approved artwork in their Committee-assigned square size. Artists will receive a confirmation email that includes their square size and approved image by 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 13, 2026 from a bmoa.org email. It is recommended that artists periodically check their spam folder to ensure confirmation emails are received. 

Artists may work alone or in a group. Each artist square must have a designated lead artist. Any additional artists working on a square must be listed as assistants within the application.   

In the spirit of traditional Italian Street Painting festivals, artists are encouraged to select master works from throughout art history to recreate or provide inspiration. Original works of art are also welcome as submissions. Pop culture references are discouraged and may not be selected.  

Submissions must fall within one of three categories: 

1. An original piece of artwork by the submitting artist 
   
   

2.  An artwork directly recreating or inspired by a piece of art that exists in the public domain 
   
   

3. An artwork recreating a contemporary artist’s work (or historical artwork not part of public domain) which the applying artist has documented permission of use from the original artist or artist representative 

Artwork generated entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted. Go to Submission Restrictions for more information.

Most images found on the internet and social media platforms are not part of public domain and are protected by various copyright laws.  

Via Arté is a juried and widely advertised event. All professional artists have the potential to win a cash prize based on their work and gain recognition through electronic, social media, and print platforms. The potential for financial and professional gain means that non-original submitted artworks must be part of the public domain, or the submitting artist must provide proof of permission of use from the artwork owner. Notations of free for “personal use” are not accepted at Via Arté due to the potential for cash prize and/or publication.  

It is the applying artist’s responsibility to ensure their submitted artwork exists within the public domain. If a work does not exist within the public domain, the artist must obtain and submit proof of permission to replicate the work to the Via Arté Committee within their artist application.  

In most cases, an artwork originally created by an artist whose death dates back 70 or more years will automatically become part of public domain. However, a deceased artist’s trust may renew copyrights and prohibit any replication or duplication without legal permissions. 
For example: some work by Gustav Klimt, Man Ray, and Wassily Kandinsky require legal permission from the artist’s trust or foundation to publicly recreate. 
If you are submitting a recreation of a master work, it is important to look for the outstanding copyright status of your submitted artwork prior to submitting.  

Open Content Program
The Getty’s Open Content Program is a helpful resource for finding artwork that exists within the public domain. The Getty offers high-resolution images of public domain artwork from its collections freely available, without restrictions. Digital images of Getty-owned artworks in the public domain are marked with the CC0-public domain icon. Such images are not protected by copyright and may be used without restriction or fees for commercial and noncommercial purposes. 
Explore the contents of The Getty’s Open Content Program here: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/search?open_content=true
*Ensure the box for “Open Content” is always selected within the Show only bar 

Most contemporary art is not part of public domain. Living artists hold rights to their artwork unless they have sold said rights to specific institutions or collectors. For this reason, permission is required to recreate any contemporary artwork.  

 
Stock images as reference can only be submitted with proof of fair use or proof of purchased rights to use. 

Any reference image that contains a watermark, signature, web address, or social media handle requires permission from the noted party.  

In the case of contemporary artists, obtaining permission is typically very straightforward. You can send a DM through social media platforms or find a contact email on the artists’ website through which to send a request directly to the artist. 

In the case of an artwork that is controlled by an institution or trust, you will need to find an adequate contact for that party.  

Gaining permission from an artist or representing party is never guaranteed and responses can be varied and slow coming. It is advised that artists secure permission as soon as possible to ensure you can provide proof of permission with your application by the deadline of Monday, September 7, 2026.

Additionally, artists have alternative options in mind that are either part of public domain or are original artworks in case their requested permission is denied or not received in time.  

• Images generated using AI technology in their entirety will not be accepted. While AI generated images can be used as a personal reference within individual elements of an original artwork, a completely AI generated image cannot be submitted. 

• Original works can be referential to existing artworks or artists; however, direct copies cannot be submitted as “original” artworks. 

• Reference images and artworks with no known source information will not be accepted.  

• Works created at Via Arté cannot contain any text or symbols that could act as advertising. Company/brand names or logos must be excluded or altered.  

• CHALK: Artists receive one (1) 48-count multicolor box of chalk pastels when they check in at the festival. Some additional chalk is available at the artist tent. Quantity and color are limited. We recommend artists come prepared with any additional chalk sets/colors they may need to complete their piece.  

  • NOTE: *Via Arté does not allow any other mediums outside of chalk/chalk pastels. No acrylic, tempera, oil, or other paints may be used. Additionally, no fixatives are allowed.

• WATER: Bakersfield temperatures in October can reach 90°F or more. Make sure to bring a refillable water bottle. A water dispenser will be available in the artist tent during the festival’s daytime hours that artists may use to refill their own bottles. A personal water supply is recommended.  

• SUN PROTECTION:
  There is limited shade during the festival. It is highly recommended that artists be prepared with sunscreen, protective clothing layers, hats, sunglasses, etc.  
  Artists are allowed to bring an umbrella or rent one prior to the festival to help provide additional shade throughout the day.

  • Umbrellas must have a sturdy base that will prevent the umbrella from blowing away in the wind or being easily knocked over. 

  • No tents, canopies, or pop-ups are allowed as they block both the view and pathways for festival attendees.  

  • Umbrellas are not automatically provided. Artists may only move umbrellas that belong to them or have been assigned to them.  

  • While artists can move their umbrellas throughout the day to ensure the best shade, artists cannot move their umbrella (or other belongings) into the square of another artist.  

• FOOD:
  We highly recommend artists bring their own food. The Marketplace has multiple restaurants to choose from for meals as well as being centrally located, with many additional options within a 5-mile radius.  

  • *Take caution when eating or drinking near artists squares to ensure there are no spills near the artwork. Dispose of all trash in provided receptacles.

ADDITIONAL USEFUL MATERIALS:
The following is a list of useful items allowed at Via Arté  to consider including in your artist kit  

• Disposable gloves 

• Measuring tape 

• Yard stick/ruler 

• Chalk Line reel  

• Painters tape 

• Rags/paper towels 

• Spray bottle 

• Hand wipes 

• Cardboard 

• Brushes 

• Bandages 

• Knee pads/kneeling Pads 

• Chalkboard erasers or carpet squares (make great blending tools) 

• Back-up batteries (there are no charging stations available at Via Arté) 

• Small (handheld) cordless vacuum (no full vacuums)  

• Multiple copies of your reference image 

• Headphones/earbuds (personal music cannot be played via device speaker or any form of additional amplified speakers)  

Neurodivergent artists are welcome to bring any sensory supports that assist with emotional regulation and overstimulation.

At Via Arté , artists are allowed to work through the night thanks to The Marketplace and 24hr security services. Some lighting is provided, however, 24hr lighting is not always guaranteed as light sources are not moveable and have a limited run time. Headlamps and wireless lanterns are allowed for artists wishing to work during the night (please be advised that there are no public outlets for recharging lights). 

Additional warm clothing layers are recommended for those expecting to work into the night as the temperature does drop significantly.  

Porta-potty style facilities and hand washing stations are available to artists 24hrs a day during the festival.  

Via Arté is an entirely outdoor event that goes on rain or shine. If rain or strong winds are predicted during the festival, artists are encouraged to bring the following items to help protect their artwork until any storm/rain passes: 

• cardboard (to carefully place over completed sections of artwork) 

• waterproof tarp (to cover entire artwork) 

• Painters, masking, or duct tape (to tape down tarp) 

• Weight or heavy blocks to weight down tarp corners in the case of strong wind 

*Carboard and tarps cannot be used without a form of heavy weight or tape holding them in place

Per the Via Arté Sponsor Agreement, sponsors are promised that each artist square will be completed by the end of the festival on Sunday, October 18th.  

If an artist is unable to continue working on their square during the run of the festival for any reason, a BMoA employee must be notified immediately to ensure that an alternative or standby artist can be assigned to complete the artwork by the festival deadline.  

If an artist feels he/she/they cannot produce a complete artwork by the end of the festival, the artist must speak with a BMoA employee so that an alternative or standby artist can be assigned to assist in completing the piece by the end of the festival. 

Though the intended deadline for completion is 3pm on Sunday, October 18, if a piece is not complete at the time of judging, the artist is still responsible for finishing the piece by the end of the day. Failure to complete artwork by 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 18 may impact consideration during judging.  

BE SURE TO THOROUGHLY READ THROUGH ALL THE OFFICIAL ARTIST RULES AND GUIDELINES BEFORE SUBMITTING AN ARTIST APPLICATION.

If you have any questions about participating at Via Arté or the festival in general, please contact info@bmoa.org