The Annual Arts and Crafts Shows are large fundraiser for the University Activities Board (UAB). All proceeds from booth fees go directly UAB. UAB’s goal is to provide opportunities for students to build connections, create community, and a sense of belong at MSU through fun and engaging events designed and implemented by our UAB Student Coordinators. Our fundraisers allow us to offer these events at low-cost, or more often free, to MSU students. Our Arts and Crafts Shows are also beloved community traditions.
The Spring Arts and Crafts Show has around 330 artist/crafters and, in conjunction with the East Lansing Arts Festival, attracts 40,000 - 60,000 patrons.
The Winter Arts and Crafts Show has 125+ artists/crafters and attracts between 7,000-9,000 patrons.
UNDERSTANDING OUR SELECTION PROCESS
1. Once our application opens on Zapplication (see below dates), we accept both returning and new vendor applications
- Returning Artists who apply by the Priority Deadline are accepted and receive priority booth placement.
- New artists are held in "received" status. If you are eligible for our show, we will move you to "reviewed."
- All vendors must provide 1 booth photo, 1 workshop photo, and 6 product photos.
2. New Artist applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
- Artists who are not eligible for the show are notified when we review the application.
- We care about your success. We limit the number of similar artists in the show and avoid placing similar artists in the nearby locations. This most commonly impacts, soap, candle, woodworking, and jewelry artists. These applications are often held in "reviewed" for a longer period of time.
- We do not close our application early. Typically we continue to have availability until our application deadline, often due to the withdrawal process.
3. You must confirm your attendance and purchase your booth and load-in time by the Confirmation and Payment deadline. Artists who are accepted after the payment deadline have 72 hour to confirm and pay after acceptance.
4. All information you need to attend the show will be sent on the Welcome Packet and On-site Details date.
Please Note: We do not have a jury process, but we do select artists based on variety of factors. Earlier applications do have a higher likelihood of being accepted. Unfortunately, we often have certain categories, such as soaps/candles/jewelry, that have more applicants than we can support. For the benefit of all vendors, we may decline applications from over saturated categories even if we have open booth locations. If you would like to know more about openings for your specific category, please reach out to uab@msu.edu.
Keep Yourself Safe from Scammers
We never accept applications or payment outside of Zapplication.
All official communications will come from Zapplication, the UAB Front Desk (uab@msu.edu) or the Show Director, Sara Stratilatov (bartless@msu.edu)
Official Social Media Accounts: @uabatmsu
If the above button is not taking you to the correct Zapplication list, then our new application is not public yet.
IMPORTANT SHOW AND APPLICATION DETAILS
LOCATION
MSU Union
49 Abbot Road, East Lansing
Michigan 48824
WINTER: Inside, MSU Union Building
SPRING: Outside, MSU Union Grounds
FUTURE SHOW DATES
Winter Arts and Crafts Show 2025 | Dec 6 & 7
Spring Arts and Crafts Show 2026 | May 16 & 17
Winter Arts and Crafts Show 2026 | Dec 5 & 6
Spring Arts and Crafts Show 2027 | May 22 & 23
Winter Arts and Crafts Show 2027 | Dec 4 & 5
Spring Arts and Craft Show 2028 | May 20 & 21
Winter Arts and Crafts Show 2028 | Dec 2 & 3
Spring Arts and Crafts Show 2029 | May 19 & 20
ELIGIBILITY
We welcome artists and crafters who are actively involved in both the design and production of the work they sell. This includes a broad-range of creative mediums - from traditional handcrafted items to digital and machine-assisted work - as long as the vendor is the original creator and is meaningfully involved in the production process.
We do not accept:
- Vendor selling mass-produced, wholesale, or resale items.
- Vendors who sell third-party created or manufactured items.
- We do accept a limited number of food and beverage vendors. If you are a food truck or operate a commercial food business, please do not apply through Zapplication. Instead, email our show director, Sara Stratilatov (bartless@msu.edu) for more information.
ANTICIPATED TIMELINES
WINTER SPRING
Applications Opens | August 8 | February 8
Priority Deadline* | August 25 | February 25
Acceptance Notification | August 25 - November 21 | February 25 - April 21
Application Deadline | November 8 | May 8
Confirmation & Payment Deadline* | October 25 | March 25
Booth Fee Refund Deadline | October 25 | March 25
Welcome Packets & Onsite Details | November 21 | April 21
FEES
Application/Jury Fee: $30 (non-refundable)
Single Booth: Winter $225 | Spring $280
Double Booth: Winter $495 | Spring $570
Curbside and Open Load In - $0
Storage (Optional): 5x5 Space - $20 (non refundable, available during the winter show only)
Please Note:
- Storage may be located on a different floor than your booth.
- Each storage room will be shared by multiple crafters and will remain secured at all times.
- Only Individuals listed on the official access list will be permitted to enter the storage area.
- There is no costs associated with curbside or load-in option - purchasing a time is for organizational purposes only and to help us ensure a smooth and efficient process for all vendors.
BOOTH SIZE
Winter: Single Booth - 5x8' | Double Booth - 5x16'
Spring*: Single Booth - 10x10' | Double Booth - 10x20'
*Ground is grass and may be uneven. Please contact show staff if you are concerned.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT TO REVIEW
IF APPLICABLE
WINTER 2025
Review Before Applying
Review Before Confirmation and Payment