Can you portray and/or present authentic traditional customs that reflect the ethnic spirit and heritage of the people of Texas—both past and present?

We seek individuals and/or groups in the following categories:

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

If you or your group qualifies for one of the above categories, 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.

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

Each request will be placed on file and reviewed annually. From those requests, invitations to apply for participation are extended. (Based on space availability, as well as scheduling and operational needs, invitations are sent.) Once an application is submitted, the criteria used to choose participants include 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 UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures.

Please call (210)458-2249 or e-mail joann.andera@utsa.edu if you have any questions or would like additional information.

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.

Entertainers

Entertainers (bands, musicians, dancers, street performers, storytellers) are welcome to submit information for consideration as a participant. While the Festival is unable to pay entertainers, limited housing and meals are offered for those who live 50 miles or more from San Antonio.

Specific examples of such entertainers include musicians/bands including, but not limited to Blues, Cajun, German, Pop, Americana, World, Latin Jazz, etc.; dancers including ethnic, folk, contemporary and/or exhibition dancers; street performers such as stilt walkers, jugglers, mimes, clowns, drum groups, cyclists, etc.); and storytellers.

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 Texas’ pioneering heritage, such as lye soap making, candle making, tinsmithing, etc.
• Contemporary arts and crafts of Texas are also welcome.

Who can apply to be a craft demonstrator?

Individuals and/or groups may apply who are either active members of an ethnic group or accomplished interpreters of past and/or contemporary traditions.

Craft Vendors

Texas crafts are an important element of the Festival and the event organizers always seek craftsmen from across the state who sell their own creations.

• There is a booth space fee.
• Craft 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.

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