The Boneyard is presented annually by 40 North | 88 West — Champaign County Arts Council.
The Boneyard is a unique 3-day exhibition of performance, literary and visual art hosted in a wide variety of venues — from private businesses to public spaces — all around Champaign County, Illinois. Through the festival, artists and venues of all kinds come together to collaborate on shows, registering their participation with 40 North, which then highlights their creativity during one amazing weekend in April.
Any Champaign County space where art can safely be viewed or performed can be a venue during the Boneyard Arts Festival. Cafes, galleries, home studios, restaurants, bookstores, eye clinics and street corners have all acted as venues for the Boneyard.
The Boneyard Arts Festival is an all-inclusive opportunity open to artists of all backgrounds, interests, genres and media.
No, it is up to the artists and venues to decide what exhibits and performances are registered for the Boneyard.
The 2024 Boneyard Arts Festival will take place from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14. There are no hours per se — each venue selects days/times that work best for their event.
Yes, but be sure to ask your venue. There are no restrictions on admittance fees or sales at the Boneyard.
40 North takes no commission on works sold during the Boneyard Arts Festival, however an individual venue may charge a commission. Check with your venue to see what, if any, commission they normally charge artists.
The Boneyard differs from many street-based art festivals because it takes place in an array of venues — galleries, law offices, museums, retail shops, ice cream parlors, hair salons and yes, in the streets — all over the county. Outdoor event components are encouraged!
No, there is no fee for artists to participate in the Boneyard Arts Festival.
Yes, it costs $50 — payable by cash, check (made out to 40 North | 88 West) or credit card — to be listed in our promotion as an official Boneyard Arts Festival venue.
If you’re an artist, you find a venue, confirm them as your host and register with 40 North. If you’re a venue, you find an artist, confirm them as your exhibit and/or performance and register with 40 North.
CLICK HERE for the online registration form!
There will be no district days this year and venues can select any combinaton of days/hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday no matter the location.
Yes, there is no limit on the type or number of artists that can be hosted at a given space.
It’s simple. During the three of the Boneyard, 40 North shines an intense promotional spotlight on the arts in Champaign County. You’ll want to be sure and promote your events or displays through all the normal channels. However, when you register as an official Boneyard artist/venue, you also benefit from the wide array of marketing that 40 North does to promote the festival as a whole. In addition to the Official Boneyard Arts Festival Guide, our marketing efforts include:
- posters plastered throughout the county
- postcards and flyers scattered and mailed
- billboards in multiple locations around C-U
- newspaper, television, and radio advertising
- 40north.org & boneyardartsfestival.org
- social media including Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter
- and much more!
40 North partners with many businesses, organizations and individuals to bring you the Boneyard Arts Festival each year. To learn more about opportunities for sponsorship, email kwhite@40north.org.
There’s lots to do! Email us to find out more.
