Market for Performing Arts in Sandefjord has existed since 1996, when the very first performing arts market in Sandefjord saw the light. Market for Performing Arts is an important national arena for presentation - buying and selling - of professional performing arts for children and young people. Market for Performing Arts is unique in its kind and has become an important industry gathering for both organisers as well as for artists. Market for Performing Arts presents a wide offerings of qualitatively performing arts and is a forum for performing arts professional development, where the goal is to offer the best qualitatively performing arts for children and youth, and increase competence in the area for both organizers and athletes.

Market for Performing Arts has recently also placed greater emphasis on making the event a professional community and an industry meet up. They have concentrated performances in six different venues at Hjertnes Culturehouse, participants therefore have all the events in one location, which both performing art groups and traders have given entirely positive feedback. This has contributed to Market for Performing Arts evolving to become a major national provider of performing arts to the Cultural Rucksack.

Market for Performing Arts wants to offer performing arts groups the same opportunities and markets as the buyers of productions, and do so by offering performing art groups to stay at "market hotel" with buyers, in order to strengthen opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and academic benefits for everyone involved.