The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is hosting the 67th annual Art Fair on the Square around the city's Capitol Square on July 12 and 13, 2025.

A staple of summer in Madison, Art Fair on the Square brings 200,000 patrons from around the region to downtown Madison for a weekend of art and entertainment. More than 450 artists and artisans travel from across the country to showcase everything from grand sculptures to delicate contemporary jewelry, handmade furniture, inspired ceramics, and vibrant works for the wall.

“This event is not only one of Madison’s most cherished summer traditions—it’s also our largest fundraiser of the year, and your presence helps make everything we do at the Museum possible,” says Paul Baker Prindle, the Gabriele Haberland Director of MMoCA.

Admission to Art Fair on the Square is free, and the funds raised through the fair help keep the Museum admission-free all year. Art Fair on the Square is essential in supporting world-class exhibitions and educational programming. Through Art Fair on the Square, MMoCA has helped thousands of professional artists sell and promote their work.

In addition to the artists' booths, Art Fair on the Square features live music and dance performances on two stages all weekend, a wide selection of international cuisine and locally sourced fare at booths around the Square, and a new addition of a Beer and Wine Garden.

Baker Prindle continues, “Whether you're coming for the art, the music, or the joy of being in community, thank you. Your participation is what makes Art Fair on the Square so special.”

MMoCA beer and wine garden

New this year to Art Fair on the Square is the MMoCA Beer and Wine Garden, a partnership between MMoCA, Working Draft Beer Company, and Square Wine Co. Located at the corner of Pinckney and East Washington Street, the MMoCA Beer and Wine Garden offers a wide range of beverages including a Blonde Ale brewed specifically to complement Art Fair on the Square. Whether you come for the beverages or the ambiance, the MMoCA Beer and Wine Garden is the perfect place to relax, recharge, and connect while visiting Art Fair on the Square.

Muse at Art Fair on the Square. Saturday, July 12, 6–9 PM, free admission

After Art Fair on the Square winds down on Saturday, the MMoCA Beer and Wine Garden transforms for a special edition of Muse at Art Fair on the Square. Queen Bianca Lynn Breeze is the host for the evening and, along with Bambii Banx$, Nia C Sidora Sanchez, and Risk E. Bismuth, presents a night of drag show entertainment in between a custom DJ set.

Artists and artworks

The artist lineup is unique every year and determined by a panel of guest jurors. Participation is competitive with over 1,100 artists applying for approximately 400 spaces. The selected artists are a mix of returning crowd favorites and those new to the Art Fair on the Square. Participating artists hail from over 30 US States and represent a variety of mediums and modes of expression.

Jurors

The 2025 Jury Panel consists of Jane Fasse, a painter and Senior Adjunct Instructor in the Art Department at Edgewood College; Courtney Scanlan, a dedicated arts administration professional currently with Artful Home; and David Wells, a curator and Gallery Director at Edgewood College Gallery.

Best shows

Jurors also review the 2025 artists on-site to select Best of Show winners in each of the thirteen (13) categories. The award-winning artists are invited back to exhibit at the 2025 fair.

Returning this year are the 2024 Best in Show artists: Rebecca Korth, Painting; Joyce Slate, Jewelry; Taylor Mazer, Printmaking, Graphics, and Drawing; Cherie Haney, Metal-Works; Anna Repke, Fiber / Leather; Steven Carlson, Furniture; Dante Germain, Glass; Dennis Thompson, Ceramics; Jesper Johansen, Photography; Adrian Vogel, Wood; and Igor Menaker, Digital Art.

Featured artist

MMoCA selected Dan Wiemer as the 2025 Art Fair on the Square Featured Artist. The featured artwork, which graces the cover of the Art Fair on the Square program and the collectible T-shirts produced by Wildwood Productions, is titled Yellow on blue.

In his artist's statement, Wiemer says, “I am obsessed with design, negative shape making, and the ruggedness of the North.” Through his artwork, Wiemer finds rhythm in the landscape. “Rhythm to me is connecting highlight shapes with linked shadow shapes in an interesting way that creates movement and pathways for the eye.”

Dan Wiemer is based in Red Wing, Minnesota. He will be located in Booth 443, at King Street and E. Main Street, during Art Fair on the Square.

Emerging artist and community artist booths

The 100 block of State Street is dedicated to emerging artists who have been selected to exhibit in the fair by a jury process. The Emerge Block gives skilled, yet developing, artists the crucial experience of selling and promoting their work to potential lifelong customers.

The 2025 fair also includes invited community artists, located in booths around the Square, who gain experience in showing and selling their work at Art Fair on the Square.

The incredible bank kids area

Located at the King Street corner of the walkway leading to the Capitol Building, MMoCA invites families and caregivers to drop by the Kids Area for free art and craft projects for children of all ages. This year, kids can create their own artworks inspired by the exhibitions currently on display in MMoCA's galleries. The Kids Area is available on Saturday, July 12, 9:15 AM – 6 PM and Sunday, July 13, 10:15 AM – 5 PM.