A. ARTIST ELIGIBILITY, TRIBAL VERIFICATION:

Open to any artist 18 years of age and under who can provide proof of enrollment in a federal or state recognized tribe in the U.S. or a First Nation of Canada.

B. STANDARDS AND RULES GOVERNING ARTWORK:

1. Quality Assurance: All art displayed for sale is subject to evaluation by the Quality Assurance representatives throughout the market. The Quality Assurance representatives may request that any items not meeting the established standards must be removed from display. The Quality Assurance representatives are the sole arbiters of what must be removed. Artists who do not abide by the directives of the Quality Assurance representative risk losing their status as an invitee to future SVM’s Indian Markets. Additionally, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Arts and Crafts Board will be present on site during the two days of the event to assure that Federal guidelines are being met.
2. Hallmarks: All participating artists must have their hallmark (signature, mark, or stamp) on file with the S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation Indian Market (SVMFIM). This signature, mark or stamp can be submitted electronically or by postal service with application form.
3. Prohibited Work: No imported, manufactured, or mass-produced items, such as mouse pads, coasters and magnets are permitted to be displayed and sold. Artists are allowed only two extensions of their work. Also, not acceptable are works produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns, or prefabricated forms. Christmas ornaments must be individually created, not mass produced, except as in 4 and 11, below.
4. Original Work: All work displayed must be designed and created by the exhibitor. All work must be hand crafted with the exception- for Young Artist Market artists only- of stationery and stickers, which must be made from the original artwork of the Young Artist Market participant. No dealers or traders are allowed to vend. Tribal guilds or cooperatives may be invited on a periodic basis which will be on an invitation basis only. The artist must be present on-site. Work of other artists regardless of kinship cannot be displayed.
5. Artifacts and Ceremonial Objects: Absolutely no sale or display of prehistoric or culturally sensitive artifacts will be permitted. The Quality Assurance representative will carefully review and ban any use of the materials, such as raptor feathers or endangered species. Display or sale of ceremonial objects is strictly prohibited.

Explanation below corresponds with the mediums listed on the Artist Application

6. Bead, Quill, and Leather: No plastic pony beads, or Grand Canyon “string” beads are allowed. Commercially tanned hide work must be labeled.
7. Basketry: Allowed are basketry and related weavings made by an Indian using a wide variety of media, including, but not limited to, birchbark, black ash, brown ash, red cedar, yellow cedar, alder, vine maple, willow, palmetto, honeysuckle, river cane, oak, buck brush, sumac, dogwood, cattail, reed, raffia, horsehair, pine needle, spruce root, rye grass, sweet grass, yucca, bear grass, beach grass, rabbit brush, fiber, maidenhair fern, whale baleen, seal gut, feathers, shell, devil’s claw, and porcupine quill.
8. Cultural items: Absolutely no sale or display of prehistoric or culturally sensitive artifacts will be permitted. The Quality Assurance representative will carefully review and ban any use of the materials, such as raptor feathers or endangered species. Display or sale of ceremonial objects is strictly prohibited.
9. Jewelry: Only handmade jewelry may be sold. Natural turquoise does not need special labeling. Stabilized turquoise and synthetic opal must be properly labeled. Such stabilized turquoise and synthetic coral, lapis, opal, etc must be kept separate from the natural stones.

10. Sculpture: Allowed are sculpture, carving, and pipes made by an Indian, including, but not limited to, wood, soapstone, alabaster, pipestone, argillite, turquoise, ivory, baleen, bone, antler, and shell.
11. Pottery: Commercially produced pottery, slip molds, and green ware are strictly prohibited. Green ware is acceptable ONLY in the “Holiday Ornaments” category. Contemporary pottery forms are acceptable. Hand coiled or wheel thrown works are acceptable. Kiln-fired pots and pots made or decorated with commercial materials must be properly identified.
12. Carvings and Woodwork: Pueblo Carvings (Hopi and Zuni) Carvings must come from the tribal tradition of the carver. Woodwork: Items made by an Indian, including, but not limited to, sculpture, drums, furniture, containers, hats, and masks, are Indian products. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: hand drums, totem poles, animal figurines, folk carvings, kachinas, embellished long house posts, clan house carved doors, chairs, relief panels, bentwood boxes, snow goggles, red and yellow cedar seagoing canoe paddles, hunting hats, spirit masks, bows and arrows, atlatls, redwood dug out canoes, war clubs, flutes, dance sticks, talking sticks, shaman staffs, cradles, decoys, spiral pipe stems, violins, Native American Church boxes, and maple ladles, spoons, and soup bowls.

13. Paintings/ Drawing/Photography/Prints: Paintings, drawings and graphics must be matted, framed, or shrink-wrapped. No wet canvases will be made available for sale. Paintings on canvas should be framed for its protection.

Prints: No xerographic-type mechanical reproductions, laser prints or photographs of original artwork are allowed. Prints must be signed and numbered; numbers may not exceed 100.

14. Mixed Media: combines 2 or more of the categories above. Restrictions of each category apply.
15. Textiles/Clothing/Dolls/Weaving: Sewing machine work is acceptable. No liquid embroidery or products made from kits are allowed. Commercially made clothing must be substantially altered. Dolls in traditional categories must use materials historically associated with its native culture. Artists are not to display dolls of tribes other than their own tribal affiliation. Weaving: Rugs, blankets, belts, and purses must be handmade. All-natural yarns and dyes are acceptable. Synthetic or acrylic yarn must be properly labeled. No products made from commercial kits or patterns will be permitted.
16. Holiday Ornaments; green ware is permitted ONLY in this category, and must be labeled as such.
17. Diverse Art: Purchased glass beads are allowed. Allowable with disclosure are: nickel and brass beads not made by the artist; rhinestones; commercially manufactured hides and rawhide; and commercially-produced objects that are transformed into a work of art by the hand application of beadwork or quillwork, e.g., tennis shoes, bottles, etc.
    • All decorative stone, shell or metal elements and shell, glass, or metal beads must be properly identified and comply with the standards for Jewelry in (9) above.
    • Not allowed are plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, e.g., beads, plastic hair pipe, etc.; manufactured, non-Indian made, or die-struck metal charms, buttons, conchos used for ornamental purposes. All sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist.
18. Open Standards: Work that may defy traditional classification, and even be difficult to understand, but challenges and ultimately broadens the public’s understanding of American Indian art. There are no restrictions except: time-based media not allowed unless an integral part of the artwork and not the dominant media.

Please note that Prints, Mixed Media, and Textiles/Clothing/Dolls are specific categories and not “catch-all” categories.

Please contact Artist Liaison if you have any questions about proper classification for your work. It is crucial that the mediums listed on your table sign reflect the artwork you are vending.

C. ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS:

1. An Artist Application Packet for the Young Artist Market will be available on the S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation website. www.svmfoundation.org. The on-line packet will include a copy of these announcements, rules and regulations.
2. The Artist Selection Advisory Committee is responsible for maintaining quality standards.

D. FEES:

1. There will be no fee assessed for submissions or for display space in the exhibit tents at the 2026 Young Artist Market.

E. EXHIBIT SPACE AND LOCATION:

1. The location of the Young Artist Market will be at the entry area of the S’edav Va’aki Museum. Should additional space be required, optional areas will be established. Artists’ work will be displayed as deemed appropriate by the Artist Selection Advisory Committee. Display space will be provided for each selected artist; either tabletop display area or wall hanging space. Artists are limited to display tent and tabletop space will be shared by several artists. Extra merchandise may be stored underneath the tables. Tables, chairs, and canopies are supplied by the SVM Foundation.
2. It will be the responsibility of the artist to be present during the course of the Young Artist Market. S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation will provide full-time on-site security during the event; however, each artist will be responsible for the safekeeping of their work from inclement weather, theft, or other hazards.

F. SALES OF ARTWORK:

1. Artists will be permitted to sell their works of art; however, they will be responsible for all transactions, and they will be responsible for any product liability claims by purchasers. Change will not be provided at the Museum Gift Shop and there is no ATM on the museum grounds. Sales must be handled by an adult accompanying any artist under the age of 18. Artists who will be selling products will be solely responsible for any State business privilege taxes or other fees and taxes.

G. APPLICATION SUBMITTALS:

1. Completed Application Form.
2. Tribal Affiliation verification documents: This document may be submitted electronically.
3. Biography: Enclose a short current biography and highlight any awards or outstanding achievements. The biography may also be submitted electronically.
4. Hallmarks: All participating artists must have their hallmark (signature, mark or stamp) on their work.
5. All applications, whether paper or electronic submissions, must be received at S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation office at S’edav Va’aki Museum, 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 by 4:00 PM, Tuesday 11/17/2026. Applicati0ns may not be hand delivered to the Museum.
6. Incomplete Artist Application Packets will not be processed.

H. AWARDS AND PRIZES:

1. Awards and/or Prizes will depend on number of entries in each category and medium.
2. Categories are: YAM Junior, age 12 and under and YAM Senior age 13-18.

I. EXHIBITION AND BOOTH POLICIES:

1. Early Check-in: Artists are encouraged to check in early. The Artist Check-in booth will be open on Friday, December 11, 2026, from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The venue on the museum grounds itself does not permit the driving of vehicles to the booth site. Artists must be prepared to cart their equipment and artwork to their selected booth sites. There will be a limited number of motorized carts with drivers available to assist in moving large or heavy pieces of art. The artist is required to sign a waiver against damages if the artist chooses to take advantage of the moving assistance.
2. Artists may deliver their artwork to the exhibit area after check-in on Friday, December 11 or by 7:00 AM on Saturday, December 12. Artwork delivered after 7:00 AM Saturday Dec. 12 cannot be judged.
3. Loading, Unloading and Parking: A loading and unloading area is designated for your convenience. Immediately after unloading, you must move your vehicle to its assigned parking lot. Vehicles are subject to towing if not in the proper area or if they are blocking entrance or exit lanes. The artist check-in area is located immediately to the west of the museum entrance driveway. Please review site drawing on the website www.svmfoundation.org
4. Booth occupancy and Booth Sitters: All confirmed artists must be physically present during market hours. Artists needing breaks during the event may request a volunteer booth sitter to watch their work while they are absent. Artists are limited to 20 minutes away from their booth when using the services of a booth sitter. Booth sitters are not allowed to make sales. Artists that abuse booth-sitter privileges will be denied further assistance from these volunteers. In lieu of using booth sitters, it is recommended that all minor-aged artists recruit their adult supervisors to perform that role.
5. Quality Assurance: The Quality Assurance Committee will conduct their duties throughout the event. If you, the artist, are asked to remove any items from display, please do so immediately. Any dispute of a product’s eligibility or interpretation of the rules must be submitted in writing and will be decided by a majority vote of the Quality Assurance Committee or their designees whose decisions are final.
6. Badges: Artists must wear their own Market badge at all times during the Market. Two chaperone badges will be provided for each YAM participant. Obtaining services at the Hospitality tent requires the presentation of the badge. Re-admission to the site also requires the presentation of the badge.
7. Security and Waiver: Artists are responsible for their art and booth during the Market. Security will be provided beginning Friday, December 11, 2026, at 12:00 noon through Sunday, December 13, 2026, until 4:00pm and overnight on Friday and Saturday. S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation, its agents, employees, or volunteers are not responsible for loss, damage, vandalism, casualty, injury, or theft.
8. Safety: Artists are also required to be responsible for the safety of themselves and their family members. Advise all family members that there are potential hazards on the grounds such as canals, walls, trees, etc. As the canals are a hazard, parents are cautioned to ensure that their children do not play in or near the canals.
9. Artists 14 years of age and under must be chaperoned by an adult aged 18 or over for the duration of the market.
10. S’EDAV VA’AKI MUSEUM is a National Historic site. As such, it is important that all visitors respect the property and do not trespass on areas such as the Mound and the ball court except where paved pathways are provided. Anyone who causes harm to the site, plantings, artifacts, and structures will be subject to prosecution
11. RIGHTS RESERVED: S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation reserves the right to assign artists locations in the best interest of the market.
12. USE OF DIGITAL IMAGES OF WORK FOR FUTURE PUBLICITY USE BY THE S’EDAV VA’AKI MUSEUM FOUNDATION:
    1. The artist agrees to allow the S’edav Va’aki Museum and S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation the right to reproduce and use any digital images of the artists’ work for future marketing purposes. Any image of artists who are under the age of fourteen will need to have parental approval to allow their personal images to be so used. The Artist Application packet will have such an authorization clause included for parental signature.

J. PROHIBITIONS:

1. Any artist or performer who is involved in any verbal or physical altercations will be immediately removed from the market site along with their equipment and work and will not be permitted to return.
2. No pets are allowed on the market grounds, except for dogs assisting persons with disabilities. Artists bringing pets will be asked to leave the grounds.
3. In the interest of guest safety and enjoyment, the S’edav Va’aki Museum, S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation, and the City of Phoenix reserve the right to prevent certain items from being brought into the facility. Those items include but are not limited to:
   1. Alcohol
   2. Illegal substances
   3. Food or beverages, except for factory-sealed water bottles.
   4. Unlawful Weapons

K. HELPFUL HINTS:

This open-air market is held on the grounds of the S’edav Va’aki Museum, a City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department facility, located at 4619 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Temperatures in the area range from 65 degrees in the daytime to 40 degrees at night in December. Use of warm clothing is advisable.