applications

Applications are now open for art teachers, music directors, artists & food trucks.

Deadline for all submissions March 2, 2026

Book cover titled 'Young Artists' featuring a yellow background, with the phrase 'Evanston' written vertically on the left, and 'Young' at the top and 'Artists' at the bottom. The central part has a large white 'YEA!' within an orange square.
Graphic design featuring the words 'Application Art Teachers' and 'YEA!' in bold letters, with a purple and blue background.

  • YEA!

    Saturday, May 16, 2026

    10:00AM-3:00PM

    Raymond Park – Chicago Avenue and Lake Street, Evanston IL

    Panels, tables & Chairs

    • Panels are 4 ft x 8 ft and art will be displayed on both sides so when placing your panel request please be mindful you have both sides.

    • You can request as many tables and chairs as you will need. Once you have put in your request and require more tables and chairs you will need to notify us as we will not be able to provide more during the day of the event.

    • Tree or additional space will need to be requested at the time of registration. It is not guaranteed that you will receive your request.

      Food Expectations:

      • The Teacher’s Lounge will have coffee and donuts available when you arrive. (First come, first served!)

      • A light lunch will be provided and will start being distributed at noon.

      • Throughout the day, the Teacher’s lounge will have bottles of water available.

      • If you have food allergies you may want to bring food from home if we cannot accommodate your food needs.

        Parking:

        • You will be responsible for finding your own street parking but there should be plenty of neighborhood parking available at that time of day. Please note: no parking is allowed in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot. Violators will be towed. 

        Enactment of the rain plan will be decided 48 hours before the event and you will be emailed immediately.

  • Load In:

    • Load in is from 8:00AM-9:00AM. We will have volunteers assist with getting your art from your car to your designated area in the park. If you can have extra hands with you the morning of that would be helpful.

    • Check the attached Drop Zone map to determine which zone you should drop and pick up

      • Drop Zone A - Corner of Chicago Avenue & Grove Street

      • Drop Zone B - Corner of Hinman Avenue & Lake Street

      • Drop Zone C - Corner of Chicago Avenue & Lake Street

    • Label all your materials with your school name and booth number before you arrive.

    • Do not leave your car unattended at any time. Once unloaded, please move your vehicle immediately.

      Tear Down & Load Out:

      • Begin at 3:00PM, please no earlier.

      • Remove all staples, nails, and/or screws from the display boards.

      • We will try and have volunteers will try and help you load your car, but with everyone packing we will do our best to assist. If you can try and have your own helper to take down that would be beneficial to you.

      • Dispose of all trash...leave no trace!

  • Is the event outside?

    Please be aware that the event is outdoors and the weather in May changes from warm to chilly especially being close to the lake. Plan with layers and sunscreen.

    Do I need to stay at my location the entire day?

    You will need to be at your location during the day as parents & students love seeing their art teachers. It’s always great to bring friends or volunteers to assist you throughout the day so you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy other art at the event.

    What happens if rain is in the forecast?

    The Thursday before the event you will receive a text or email notifying you if the plans have changed from being at Raymond Park and we have to move to our indoor location.

    Is there food for the art teachers?

    Yes! Lunch is provided for the teachers as well as snacks and water at our Teachers Lounge throughout the day. Please be aware that if you have a restricted diet or food allergies that we cannot accommodate everyones diet but we will do the best we can. Please make sure that you wear your lanyard indicating you are a teacher as we have many families standing in line thinking the lunch is for them.

Apply
Graphic with text 'Application Art Makers YEA!' in blue, green, and white colors.

  • YEA!

    Saturday, May 16, 2026

    10:00AM-3:00PM

    Raymond Park – Chicago Avenue and Lake Street, Evanston IL

    YEA! plans are under way and this includes the schedule of group performances. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for your performance groups to showcase their talents. It is also a way to remind the community who we are, and highlight our talented students. As in the past, we are looking for a variety of performance groups. This would include choral, band, string ensembles, storytelling, dance, drama and more.

    Enactment of the rain plan will be decided 48 hours before the event and you will be emailed immediately.

  • Performance times are in half hour slots with a strict limit of 30 minutes, which includes the set up and break down of your equipment. Please consider this carefully when signing up. The schedule will be set up very much like past years and will be filled on a first come first served basis.

    We will notify you on your time slot at the end of March. Schools maybe limited to one performance as we only have 9 spots available for the day and want to accommodate as many performers as possible.

    You will need to gather with your students 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time to make sure everyone is ready.

    Once your set is done please make sure all students safely get off the stage as the next group will have to set up and perform.

    We will have a full set up with mics, amps, speakers ready. In order to make the turnaround easier we will either have choral groups first or jazz, band and rock ensembles last. It will depend on what are submissions look like.

  • Will there be microphones and music stands available and ready for our performance?

    YEA! provides a sound system, sound engineer with microphones & music stands.

    Are we guaranteed a time slot to perform?

    We cannot guarantee we will be able to fulfill all requests. It will be first come first served with application submissions. Since time slots are limited we cannot accommodate all performances.

    What should we wear? Is the event outside?

    Please be aware that the event is outdoors and the weather in May changes from warm to chilly especially being close to the lake. Please plan accordingly.

Apply
Graphic with pink background, the words "APPLICATION DIRECTORS" vertically on the left, "MUSIC" at the top, and "YEA!" in large white letters in the center.

  • YEA!

    Saturday, May 16, 2026

    10:00AM-3:00PM

    Raymond Park – Chicago Avenue and Lake Street, Evanston IL

    Getting there: Raymond Park is located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Evanston

    Parking: Street and neighborhood parking is usually pretty easy to find, with a self parking garage located at 500 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201.

    Enactment of the rain plan will be decided 48 hours before the event and you will be emailed immediately.

  • Set up:

    • You will arrive between 8 am - 9 am to begin your set up. You will be given a drop off zone in which you can drop off your supplies find parking and set up. If you have volunteers please bring them to assist you.

    • You will have to set up and be ready by 10am. There is no water source for washing brushes or electrical outlets so please plan your activity accordingly.

    • We expect over 2000 community members coming throughout the day to our event. Make sure you have enough art materials for children to make and take.

    • You are allowed to bring any type of promotional marketing materials to the event.

    • It will be your responsibility to remove all trash and clean up your area after the event closes at 3pm. Please make sure you stay at the event till 3pm and not leave earlier.

    • Make sure you have assistants to pack and load your materials back to your car after the event closes. Keep in mind everyone will be packing and leaving at the same time so be respectful of other cars and attendees.

  • Where is the event located?

    Getting there: Raymond Park is located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Evanston

    Where do we park?

    Parking: Street and neighborhood parking is usually pretty easy to find, with a self parking garage located at 500 Davis St, Evanston, IL 60201.

    What do I Bring?

    ALL materials you will need to create and clean up your space

    Any creature comforts you might require to make your day enjoyable. ie: sunscreen, hat, etc.

    Comfortable Shoes – you’ll probably put some mileage on them.

    A Fun Loving Attitude. This is going to be an amazing day!

    Will lunch be provided?

    Yes! lunch is provided for all art makers and their assistants. Please make sure that you are wearing your lanyard as you may not be served lunch or have access to the Teachers Lounge where snacks, water and lunch are available for free.

Apply
Graphic design with orange and beige background, large white text '

  • YEA!

    Saturday, May 16, 2026

    10:00AM-3:00PM

    Raymond Park – Chicago Avenue and Lake Street, Evanston IL

    Getting there: Raymond Park is located at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Evanston

    Enactment of the rain plan will be decided 48 hours before the event and you will be emailed immediately.

  • Food trucks will need to arrive at 8:30 am to set up and line up on Lake St. The line up will be first come first served. We plan to have a variety of food trucks at the event. Plan on about 500 + participants . All Food trucks will need to have an Evanston food permit that you will obtain and cover the cost for.

    The event finishes at 3pm. You cannot leave earlier and can begin packing up at 3pm.

Apply