Get in the know.
What is this "ArtWorks Festival?"
The Austin ArtWorks Festival is a free two-day event in Austin, Minnesota held annually each August — a celebration of visual, performing, and literary artists, many with ties to Austin and the area.
In 2026, the 15th Annual Austin ArtWorks Festival is Saturday and Sunday, August 29th and 30th in the heart of downtown Austin.
For more information on all of the events happening during the Austin ArtWorks Festival, check out the various pages in the navigation links under “ArtWorks Festival.” You can also follow us on Facebook!
Does it cost anything?
Nope! Although you might want to bring some cash in case you want to grab some super neat prints, a piece of original artwork, books, or food. It's a safe bet you'll find something that catches your fancy!
I'm an artist/author/musician and would love to be a part of next year's festival. How do I apply?
Hey artist/author/musician! Thanks for visiting! Please visit our application page for more info.
Who are you people?
Good question. We are Austin Area Arts, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and a whole bunch of volunteers who donate their time, brains, and muscles to carry off this crazy awesome event.
Austin Area Arts also oversees the Austin ArtWorks Center and the Historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin. Through our physical sites and the Austin ArtWorks Festival, we strive to bring together artists and art lovers, and to make our community better through the power of art in its many forms.
If you're interested in supporting Austin Area Arts or one of our programs, click here to find out how!
Can I volunteer at the festival?
Yes, volunteer opportunities are available for both extroverts who want lots of people time and those more comfortable behind the scenes. Shifts are only 2 hours and concentrated on the two days of the event with additional help needed for set up and tear down. Volunteer shifts for 2026 are not available yet, but you can get in touch to get on our list now by contacting Kelsey (kelsey@austinareaarts.org).
More questions?
Contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
2025 (last year’s) Festival Program
Click here or on the image below to view a PDF of the full program.
Activities of the Austin ArtWorks Festival are made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant and a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Arts and Cultural Heritage grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund; by the Hormel Foods Corporation; KMSU Mankato and many individual donors. To see a list of our 2025 Festival donors, click here!