Fringe 2026 Artist Applications!

The Elgin Fringe Festival (EFF) is seeking bold, creative artists to showcase their work at this year's festival! EFF is an uncurated festival, where artists are chosen through live lotteries in April.

ARTIST CATEGORIES:

• Equity Seeking Artists: Performances with artists who self-identify as Underrepresented. This can include but is not limited to those that are BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ community. The festival is always open to questions and concerns on who qualifies as underrepresented. Equity-seeking artists not drawn via lottery in this category are automatically placed in the Local or Touring lottery pools, giving them two chances to be selected.

  
  

• First Time Fringers: Shows being produced by someone who has never produced at a Fringe Festival before. First Time Fringe artists not drawn via lottery in this category are automatically placed in the Local or Touring lottery pools, giving them two chances to be selected.

  
  

• Spanish Language Shows: Shows that will be presented predominantly in Spanish. Spanish Language artists not drawn via lottery in this category are automatically placed in the Local or Touring lottery pools, giving them two chances to be selected.  

• Local Artists: Artists residing within 50 miles of Side Street Studio Arts (15 Ziegler Ct., Elgin, IL 60120).

  
  

• Touring Artists/Out of Area: Artists residing outside the 50-mile radius.

  
  

• Applications are open February 1 to March 1 — don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique event!

  
  

MORE INFO & APPLICATION