The Crested Butte Makers Market is back! Join us November 13–14 at the Center for the Arts for a festive, curated holiday marketplace celebrating local artists, makers, and creatives.

We’re now accepting artist and maker applications for this year’s market! This beloved pre-holiday event will feature 25+ local makers, along with live music, food trucks, a kids market, and more.

Interested in participating? We’d love to see what you create!

The event is presented in partnership with the Center for the Arts, Crested Butte Creative District, and Trailhead Children’s Museum, with 10% of proceeds donated to Trailhead Children’s Museum.

Artist applications are now open! 

• Applications due: October 1st

• Application Review: October 2nd - 9th

• Acceptance and denial

•  notifications sent by: October 12th

Our second annual 6x6 Community Art Fundraiser is open to everyone! Pick up a 6x6 canvas and paint, collage, draw, stitch, photograph, or decorate it however you choose, using Small Wonders as your inspiration.

Finished pieces will come together in a community exhibition and fundraiser, with proceeds supporting Creative District micro grants for creative projects in our community. You don't have to consider yourself an artist to participate. This project is about creativity, community, and seeing how hundreds of small contributions can add up to something much bigger.

Canvases will be available at the Center for the Arts, Rumors Coffee + Tea and Pfister’s Handworks starting on October 5th. All finished canvases are due to the Center for the Arts by November 1st.

The Crested Butte Creative District invites Elk + Belleview Avenue businesses to participate in the Winter 2026 Window Dressing Competition! Transform your storefront window into a creative, nostalgic, and festive winter display inspired by the small wonders that make winter—and life in our mountain community—so special.

Are you an artist who lives in Gunnison or Crested Butte? Please apply for the chance to exhibit your artwork at our gallery on Elk Avenue in Crested Butte! Being in the heart of beautiful downtown, we are wonderfully located with lots of daily foot traffic from locals and tourists alike.

Ongoing Submission

The Crested Butte Society advances its mission by redistributing revenues generated from the annual Arts Festival directly into our creative communities through the AEG fund. Grants range in size between $500-$5,000.

2027 Grant Cycle:
November, 2026 - January, 2027

The Crested Butte Creative District regularly partners with the Crested Butte Community School to offer arts education and enrichment opportunities to students. If you are a teacher who would like to participate in these events, please email natalie@crestedbuttearts.org

Ongoing Submission