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Call for Artists, Makers, Musicians, Food Trucks & Sponsors
10th Annual West Main Arts & Music Festival
Downtown Arlington | Saturday, September 19, 2026
Arlington, Texas- West Main Arts Festival is now accepting applications for visual artists, makers, musicians, performers, artisan vendors, and food trucks for its highly anticipated 10th annual event taking place in Downtown Arlington on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from Noon to 6:00 PM.
The festival transforms West Main Street into one of North Texas’ most vibrant celebrations of creativity and community, featuring live music, local art, interactive experiences, food, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Downtown Arlington.
Applications are open now through June 15, 2026. Organizers are seeking a diverse mix of painters, sculptors, photographers, ceramic artists, jewelry makers, craft vendors, musicians, street performers, cultural groups, and food vendors to help create an immersive arts and music experience.
“This festival has become a major celebration of Arlington’s creative culture,” said Mark Joeckel, festival director and founder of Create Texas. “As we celebrate 10 years, we want this year’s event to showcase the incredible talent, diversity, and energy that exists across our creative community.”
Festival highlights include:
Three live music stages featuring local and regional performers
70+ artist and maker booths
Interactive art activities and live demonstrations
Street performances and community art experiences
Food trucks and artisan food vendors
Thousands of attendees throughout the day in Downtown Arlington
The festival has grown into one of Arlington’s largest independent arts events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors while supporting local artists, musicians, and small businesses.
Event Details
WHAT: 10th Annual West Main Arts & Music Festival
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Noon–6:00 PM
WHERE: West Main Street, Downtown Arlington, Texas
Between City Hall, the Levitt Pavilion, and Theater Arlington
Applications for artists, makers, musicians, performers, food trucks, and sponsors are available now at:
Create Texas Website – www.createtexas.art
Follow festival updates and announcements on social media:
MEDIA NOTE: High-resolution photos and media assets from previous festivals are available upon request.
Fox 4 DFW Feature:https://tinyurl.com/32apj2ws
KXT/KERA Music Spotlight: https://tinyurl.com/bddn9486
UTA Shorthorn Article https://tinyurl.com/4sdpjjca
Fort Worth Report: https://tinyurl.com/sjx5wbxw
The Cultural and Economic Impact of WMAF & Create Arlington (2020–2024)
When Create Arlington launched in September 2020, few could have anticipated how vital a role it would play during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. While many communities were isolated due to the pandemic, a grassroots movement of artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and creative leaders began to take shape in the heart of Downtown Arlington. Create Arlington offered more than just a physical space—it became a catalyst for community connection, economic revitalization, and cultural enrichment.
Over the past four years, Create Arlington has emerged as a hub for the region’s creative economy, making measurable contributions to the vibrancy and economic health of our city.
By the Numbers: Community Engagement & Participation
From September 2020 to September 2026, Create Arlington has welcomed more than 35,000 people to its programming and events, including:
40,000 attendees at the West Main Arts Festival
5,250 visitors to 13 curated art exhibits and receptions
4,820 attendees at 70 Open Mic and Spoken Word Nights
3,200 music fans at 42 local band and songwriter showcases
1,500 attendees at the Black Bazaar Pop-Up Market (9 events)
3,000 attendees at Third Thursday Pop-Up Markets (20 events)
1,000 guests at private rental events
700 participants in art classes and figure drawing sessions
500 community members served through nonprofit meetings hosted free of charge
300 attendees at the UTA Football Homecoming Arts & Music Fest
450 artists received payment for participating in events and performances
Creative Workforce Development
32 full-time artists and start-ups worked at Create
72 members used the space regularly throughout the week
These creatives collectively generated $190,000 in revenue, resulting in $16,150 in local sales tax
The West Main Arts Festival: A Downtown Anchor
Spanning 10 years (2016–2026), the West Main Arts Festival has become a defining event for Downtown Arlington:
20,000 visitors, generating $520,000 in direct community spending ($24.60 average per attendee)
$172,500 spent by vendors on booth fees and local supplies
$891,250 total economic impact over 6 years
$71,280 in estimated sales tax revenue returned to the local economy
Produced and managed independently by Create Arlington with $58,200 in total production costs
(Source: Americans for the Arts – Economic Impact of the Arts)
Conclusion: A Worthy Investment in Community
Create Arlington has not only brought life to Downtown through the arts, but it has also driven real economic activity, supported local businesses, and built meaningful opportunities for diverse creative voices to thrive.
Investing in Create Arlington and our statewide expansion through Create Texas is a direct investment in community vitality, small business development, cultural equity, and the economic future of our region. With your support, we can continue to grow this momentum, amplify impact, and keep Arlington at the center of the Texas creative renaissance.