Saturday and Sunday, February 1 - 2, 2025
Opening Night Friday, January 31, 2025

Saturday and Sunday,
February 1-2, 2025
Opening Night Friday,
January 31, 2025

About ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc.

Mission

ArtFest Fort Myers, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts and cultural corporation whose mission is exclusively:

The creation of public access to a broad array of visual art, nurturing the development and understanding of diverse art forms, supporting arts in education, and encouraging the appreciation of the arts in Southwest Florida.

ArtFest Fort Myers is best known for its annual juried fine art festival, which nurtures our entire community's artistic and cultural environment.

On the first weekend in February, 90,000+ people come to the riverfront in downtown Fort Myers and enjoy the extraordinary opportunities the festival provides:

Meeting visual artists from across the country and worldwide, sampling fun cuisine, visiting special exhibits and artist demonstrations, and entertaining their families with interactive art activities and performing arts.

ArtFest Fort Myers also supports arts in education through art education and outreach programs.

As a not-for-profit organization, ArtFest Fort Myers relies on support from grants, sponsorships, artist and food vendor entry fees, beverage sales, and festival T-shirt and poster sales to fund the art festival and outreach programs.

We are also committed to the best practices in the art festival business. We belong to International Festival Events Association, Florida Festival Events Association, and our local Chamber and Alliance for the Arts. The annual Festival Events Association Conventions, behind-the-scene trips to events, frequent calls with festival directors, and local training keep us up-to-date with best practices and innovative ideas.

ArtFest Supports the Community

ArtFest Fort Myers is committed to supporting the community that supports us.

As one of our community's most popular, well-known, and respected arts organizations, we are ever-aware of our responsibility to be involved in the success of art and culture throughout the area. We are members, attendees, and supporters of all the arts organizations in Lee County.

Staff

Kathryn Robinson Kinsey
Executive Director
Kathryn.Kinsey@artfestfortmyers.com

Annie Crouch
Community Engagement Manager
Annie.Crouch@artfestfortmyers.com

Volunteer Leadership

Kristin Woolam
Board Chair

Mike Abell
Board Treasurer

Miriam Pereira
Board Secretary

Pearl Cruz-Morrison
Director

Mark Loren
Director

LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier
Director

Teri Moore
Director

Jason Thomashefsky
Director

 

Award-Winning Programs

2019 Florida Festival & Events Association

  • Best Green Program (We Are Overflowing) – GOLD
  • Best T-shirt – GOLD
  • Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER
  • Best Promotional Item (Tote Bag) – SILVER

2019 International Festival & Events Association

  • Best Program to Benefit a Cause (We Are Overflowing) – GOLD

2018 Florida Festival & Events Association

  • Most Innovative Project State of Florida (GABI - ChatBot)
  • Best T-shirt – GOLD
  • Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER

2018 International Festival & Events Association

  • Most Innovative Marketing International (GABI - ChatBot)

2017  Nothing Entered to either Association

2016 International Festival & Events Association

  • Best Event (within an Existing Festival) - VIP Experience – GOLD
  • Best Event (program within an Event to Benefit a Cause) – Cookies for Carts Lee Health – GOLD
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity - Allure Luxury Condominiums – SILVER
  • Best Sponsorship Program for Individual Sponsor – Suncoast Credit Union & Art Under 20 Competition – BRONZE

2016 Florida Festival & Events Association

  • Best Sponsor Program – Suncoast Credit Union & Art Under 20 Competition – GOLD
  • Best Event Recap/Annual Report – GOLD
  • Best T-shirt Design – GOLD
  • Best Social Media Campaign – SILVER
  • Best Program/Event Guide – SILVER
  • Best Commemorative Poster – SILVER

2015 International Festival & Events Association

  • Best Ad Series - Publix Run To The Arts – GOLD
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – Copa Di Vino– GOLD
  • Best Event (within an Existing Festival) - Publix Run To The Arts – GOLD
  • Best Sponsor Partner – Publix Super Markets – SILVER
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – CenturyLink – SILVER
  • Best Single New Sponsorship Opportunity – CenturyLink – SILVER

2015 Florida Festival & Events Association

  • Best Sponsor Program – Publix Run To The Arts & Publix Art Yard – GOLD
  • Best Website – GOLD
  • Best Printed Material – Publix Run To The Arts – BRONZE

2014 International Festival & Events Association

  • Best Event within an Event to benefit a cause
  • Best Sponsorship to benefit the sponsor
  • Best T-shirt Design
  • Best Ad Series
  • Best On-Site Decor

2014 Florida Festival & Events Association

  • Best Website
  • Best T-shirt Design
  • Best Brochure

2013 International Festival & Events Association

  • Gold Pinnacle Best New Targeted Sponsorship (Truly Nolen Pest Control)
  • Gold Pinnacle Best Event within an Event  (Pedal or Paddle Lee Memorial)
  • Gold Pinnacle Best Printed Material (TravelHost Magazine Special Section)
  • Gold Pinnacle Best Newspaper Insert (Florida Weekly)
  • Gold Pinnacle Best T-shirt Design

2013 Florida Festivals and Events Association Awards

  • Best Printed Materials
  • Best Event with-in an Event
  • Best T-shirt design

2016 Chrysalis Award Winner for Cultural Achievement

2010 Chrysalis Award Winner for Sales & Marketing

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Appreciation & Outstanding Support Award 2009 for Art Education Funding to Lee County Schools

Alliance for the Arts Award: Arts Organization Leader of the Year 2006 -- Sharon McAllister

Florida Festivals and Events Association Awards

  • Best Press Communications, 2004 - 2009
  • Artistic Excellence for Graphic Design Work, 2007
  • Best Community Partnership, 2007
  • Best Sponsorship Package, 2006

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2025!

Saturday and Sunday, February 1-2, 2025

Opening Night Friday, January 31

On the waterfront in historic downtown Fort Myers

Phone: 239-768-3602

Email: info@artfestfortmyers.com

Love ArtFest Fort Myers? Don't miss the Babcock Ranch Art Show!

Boutique Show • 60 Fine Artists
Great Food & Beverages
Youth Art Activities

March 9 & 10, 2024
10am to 4pm
Babcock Ranch

We're delighted to have helped Babcock Ranch launch this show with artists of the quality you enjoy every year at ArtFest Fort Myers.

LEARN MORE