Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
How NOT to get accepted into a show
I'm on a rant this morning. If this is you, please don't be offended, be educated. If it's not you, bless you, on behalf of all show directors.
Every year, as the applications for the shows I direct come rolling in, I'm amazed that some artists just do NOT follow directions stated very explicitly on the prospectus AND on the application, itself. The majority pays attention, but the minority that doesn't makes my job far more difficult.
In the six I just opened this morning, these are just a few of the things I've encountered:
Check made out to the wrong payee: If the brochure/application specifies to whom checks should be made payable (not the name of the show), do NOT make the check payable to the name of the show. There's a reason that's in bold type on the application. Checks made payable to the wrong payee will be rejected by the bank, and by the time you are notified and send a new check, you may miss the application deadline.
No jury fee included: No application will be considered without a jury fee. I call or email artists if the fee is missing, but many shows simply toss the application without further action. Again, by the time you get your fee to us, it may be past the deadline.
No signature on the application where indicated: If the application has a space for your signature AND your printed name, print your name and SIGN the application. Without the signature, your application goes to the bottom of the stack.
No artist's name: When the application specifically states "your printed name, not your company name," print your legal name. It's tough to make your name tag if I don't have your name, and if I should have to call you, I like to know who I'm calling.
No phone number: Hello? I understand that some people don't have email addresses, so it's OK if you leave that blank, but I don't recall knowing anyone without a phone. Your personal information never leaves my office, so even if your number is private, it's necessary in case I need to reach you for any reason.
Description of images is missing: If it says, in colored, bold type, "Complete the required description of your entries on the reverse. Entries not completely filled out will not be accepted," you really need to do that, because without the description, your application won't be considered, no matter how nice your art looks in the pictures.
Images not labeled with your name: When I receive an application, I put the entire contents into a clear plastic sleeve. I also make a folder on the computer for each artist, into which I load images from the CD or the images I've scanned from the prints. However, when I open a CD with images numbered straight off the memory card with DSC0039, or I get photos that are not marked (how do I know which side is up?), it's all too easy to lose track of the artist who goes with them.
No images: OK, I forget stuff, too, but without images, there's nothing to jury. When I call you to let you know that I received no images, please don't shoot the messenger. (The woman this morning was especially crabby. Must not have had her morning coffee.)
SASE: If you would like your CD or larger prints returned to you, a #10 envelope won't do the job. That's why the application says, "Images will be returned to participants only if an appropriately sized S.A.S.E. with proper postage is included with entry." If you didn't send the right size envelope, or you didn't put enough postage on your envelope, please don't call me up to yell at me for not returning your images.
A general observation: Applications with images that represent an artist's work poorly are rarely accepted. Last year, someone sent a page printed from a printer that only had magenta and cyan ink left. We couldn't even tell what the images were. The application was rejected.
On to the next stack. Comments welcome, but please don't flame me. I'm an artist doing shows, too, and I have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
Barbara
Every year, as the applications for the shows I direct come rolling in, I'm amazed that some artists just do NOT follow directions stated very explicitly on the prospectus AND on the application, itself. The majority pays attention, but the minority that doesn't makes my job far more difficult.
In the six I just opened this morning, these are just a few of the things I've encountered:
Check made out to the wrong payee: If the brochure/application specifies to whom checks should be made payable (not the name of the show), do NOT make the check payable to the name of the show. There's a reason that's in bold type on the application. Checks made payable to the wrong payee will be rejected by the bank, and by the time you are notified and send a new check, you may miss the application deadline.
No jury fee included: No application will be considered without a jury fee. I call or email artists if the fee is missing, but many shows simply toss the application without further action. Again, by the time you get your fee to us, it may be past the deadline.
No signature on the application where indicated: If the application has a space for your signature AND your printed name, print your name and SIGN the application. Without the signature, your application goes to the bottom of the stack.
No artist's name: When the application specifically states "your printed name, not your company name," print your legal name. It's tough to make your name tag if I don't have your name, and if I should have to call you, I like to know who I'm calling.
No phone number: Hello? I understand that some people don't have email addresses, so it's OK if you leave that blank, but I don't recall knowing anyone without a phone. Your personal information never leaves my office, so even if your number is private, it's necessary in case I need to reach you for any reason.
Description of images is missing: If it says, in colored, bold type, "Complete the required description of your entries on the reverse. Entries not completely filled out will not be accepted," you really need to do that, because without the description, your application won't be considered, no matter how nice your art looks in the pictures.
Images not labeled with your name: When I receive an application, I put the entire contents into a clear plastic sleeve. I also make a folder on the computer for each artist, into which I load images from the CD or the images I've scanned from the prints. However, when I open a CD with images numbered straight off the memory card with DSC0039, or I get photos that are not marked (how do I know which side is up?), it's all too easy to lose track of the artist who goes with them.
No images: OK, I forget stuff, too, but without images, there's nothing to jury. When I call you to let you know that I received no images, please don't shoot the messenger. (The woman this morning was especially crabby. Must not have had her morning coffee.)
SASE: If you would like your CD or larger prints returned to you, a #10 envelope won't do the job. That's why the application says, "Images will be returned to participants only if an appropriately sized S.A.S.E. with proper postage is included with entry." If you didn't send the right size envelope, or you didn't put enough postage on your envelope, please don't call me up to yell at me for not returning your images.
A general observation: Applications with images that represent an artist's work poorly are rarely accepted. Last year, someone sent a page printed from a printer that only had magenta and cyan ink left. We couldn't even tell what the images were. The application was rejected.
On to the next stack. Comments welcome, but please don't flame me. I'm an artist doing shows, too, and I have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
Barbara
Tags: acceptance, application, art, descriptions, fair, fee, festival, images, jury, pictures, More…
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Loeb on -
Sometimes it feels like the process gets in the way of the goal. My goal as an ant fair director is to get the absolutely best possible work into the show. As such it is essential that I make it as easy as possible for the artists, and, if an artist is unable to follow my directions, still do whatever I can to represent the work to my jurors. My old partner, Patty Narozny, is one of the best at this. She allows artists to use Zapp, Juried Art Services or submit slides. Yes it is much more work for her. But she make it as easy as possible for the artists. My shows (Ferndale Art Fair and Royal Oak Clay Glass and Metal Show) accept Zapp, but if an artist is unable to use that system, I will fin a way to accommodate them. It is more work for the jurors and much more work for me. No problem as long as I remember the goal is to get the best art and artists possible!
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Permalink Reply by Pat Sorbini on -
Please stop telling artists how to apply better. It cuts down my chances! Sheesh! I count on 20% being tossed when I figure my odds.
Seriously, folks, can anyone explain to me why promoters need up to 6 months 'tween app and notification? I mean, if you are sending notif in April that means your jury is meeting in March, so why a 1/10 DL? Does it really take 2 months to organize the presentation? Just curous. Maybe it does.
And the shows that cash checks with application have a special place in hell as far as I'm concerned. Like off season isn't tough enough on the wallet. *shudder*. If you cash my check, I'm expecting a 10X10 piece of real estate in your town that weekend.
On a lighter note, the "describe process" area that gives you room for 5 words is a favorite. "I whine then I create". How's that? I always hope they read the nicely typed, concise descriptions I attach on a separate sheet.
Things I don't want to search for: Fees, address, make payable to, deadline. "Send $250 by March 2 to Art Show People at PO BOX 11, ArtFair, NY 11112" would be a peachy thing to have in a box on the back. Then you can wax poetic about all your other needs elsewhere.
Stop asking for slides! It is 2010!
Have someone manning the phone the week of deadline. Or at least answer your messages.
That should do it for now. But I have a few waiting at home for me, I'm bound to get cranky yet again. :)
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Permalink Reply by skip stang on -
Mark,for some folks the process has be come so over whelming that they just say forget it,myself included.When one has to jump thru hoops,provide some well guarded secret(there are no secrets)invoices, shop photos,and more personal useless information only leads to contempt.Jury fees$25 and up are a joke,to look at 4 or so pictures when it ends up meaning nothing.(jury by check,what are we buying a jury,or the privilege to be judged honestly) Just like a court of law we are judged by a jury of our pears.And just like a court of law, the better liar wins.Be humble,tell the truth,and NOBODYS that important,in other words"If you are so full of yourself you come across as being full of it"Our world has been invaded,by some who would rather spend more time making up a story, photos(which can and are manipulated)just to get into a show fulling knowing that promoter will only ask the offender to put the lie away or (my favorite)"Well they wont be invited back"All the while they are taking a slice of the pie that other wise would go to someone deserving that slice.Also if you dont think that the patrons are taking notice of this -just look your. gate revenues!Any promoter who has been promoting for at least a week can and should be able to tell the difference immediately upon physically seeing it(that's one of the many reasons we pay you)and if the say they cant ,then you are just a real estate salesman.
Mark,I am not pickin on you at all as I have never done one of your shows,although I would love to seeing as YOU took the time to address what is happening to this wonderful market place .I feel your reply here shows you DO have a understanding to this situation and taken the initiatives to do what you can to make it work!
If we ALL pay attention, work together(no kickin ,sreamin,holding your breath...etc.)
It can work
Skip Stang
Mark Loeb said:Sometimes it feels like the process gets in the way of the goal. My goal as an ant fair director is to get the absolutely best possible work into the show. As such it is essential that I make it as easy as possible for the artists, and, if an artist is unable to follow my directions, still do whatever I can to represent the work to my jurors. My old partner, Patty Narozny, is one of the best at this. She allows artists to use Zapp, Juried Art Services or submit slides. Yes it is much more work for her. But she make it as easy as possible for the artists. My shows (Ferndale Art Fair and Royal Oak Clay Glass and Metal Show) accept Zapp, but if an artist is unable to use that system, I will fin a way to accommodate them. It is more work for the jurors and much more work for me. No problem as long as I remember the goal is to get the best art and artists possible!
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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoyt on -
Stop asking for slides! It is 2010!
But I don't wanna get rid of my 1978 Pentax ME Super! Next I'll have to get rid of my 1999 HP computer with Windows 98! And since we just got cable strung past our house only six months ago, dial up works ok.
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Permalink Reply by Alison Thomas on -
I wonder if in the process of actually doing shows that a lot of artists bring that experience to the application process. What I'm referring to is the sporadic application of rules that happens from setup to breakdown. Registration begins at 1PM. I arrive at 1PM to find 30% of the booths set up and have to dolly because I can't get near my booth. Now I routinely arrive at least an hour before the stated time to begin. I don't like breaking the rules but I don't like dollying either. Then there's the next lie - unload your van completely and then move it before you set up. And it's sibling, break down completely before you bring your van in. Follow that one and you are guaranteed to be the last one out. My son-in-law compared break down to the Daytona 500. Everyone sitting in line with their engines running waiting for the green flag to drop. I remember sitting in the blazing sun without my awning up because I had stupidly asked if awnings were allowed. All around me people were sitting in the shade with their awnings up. Recently on another forum people were upset because a show had actually asked for a booth shot that looked like your booth would be at the show. We learn to skirt the rules because it is detrimental not to. I did a show recently where I was told that I was absolutely not to put anything on the sidewalk behind my booth. I set up in the dark and come daylight there were quite a few booths that had turned a 10x10 into a 10x20 by expanding to the sidewalk. They were there all weekend. We learn that forgiveness is better than permission. I'm not saying that this is the reason that applications are not filled out properly. I've always heard that following all the instructions on the application and filling it out properly gave me a slight edge in the application process. If we found out differently, who among us would not take advantage.......
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on -
As an artist, I can appreciate your frustrations about shows as voiced above, however, my rant was limited only to the applications I receive daily that make my job far more difficult and time consuming. If you think those details don't matter, just remember that "the devil is in the details" and if I don't pay attention to them, the show suffers, and by extension, so do the artists.
Filling out a show app is a lot like applying for a job. If you don't fill out the application properly, you're not likely to even get a call from a potential employer. It creates a bad first impression.
So, what acceptable excuse is there for not filling out the basic information? You know--name, address, phone number? Or for sending applications postage due? Or for choosing not to fill out the whole application, especially that part that asks for a description of your work? (I provide five lines for your description--see attached photo.) Bottom line: it's unacceptable and if you care about your work and about getting into good shows, follow the instructions.
As I was growing up, and I know that was a very long time ago, so it probably doesn't even count, it was pounded into my psyche that sloppy work was an indication that I didn't care about what I was doing, and that if I didn't care, I shouldn't even bother.
Now that I've probably offended everyone, I'll crawl back under my rock and see what today's applications bring.
Barbara - Attachments:
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description.jpg, 17 KB
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Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on -
How about adding a line to your application that states "incorrectly filled out applications may be used as an example of how NOT to fill out an application."
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on
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LOL, YES! Thank you, Larry!
Larry Berman said:How about adding a line to your application that states "incorrectly filled out applications may be used as an example of how NOT to fill out an application."
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Larry Jelf on
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We used to have people show up late and try to convince us that we had given the wrong delivery address for delivery of work. We didn't accept this alibi. We would also not accept work late for any reason whatever. We had one person who brought their wok and entire day late. The jurying had already been done! Artists can have artistic alibis.
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Larry Berman said:How about adding a line to your application that states "incorrectly filled out applications may be used as an example of how NOT to fill out an application." Larry Berman
How about "incorrect applications will not be accepted." I found that sometimes we had to be harsh. As said previously, artists (myself included) are creative people, even in attitude and alibis. We are egotists or we coldn't be in the business. Egotists think of themselves (at times) and think "I can do this for me." Sometimes, we just plain forget or miss the trees for the forest. Thank you, Larry. Organizing shows is a lot of fun, but it sure can be a pain in the posterior as well.
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by skip stang on
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WILL BE USED
Larry Berman said:How about adding a line to your application that states "incorrectly filled out applications may be used as an example of how NOT to fill out an application."
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on
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That was what I originally wrote and then edited it because I felt it read to strongly. And shows get too many incorrectly filled out applications to use them all.
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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