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 Robin Chard on -
Interesting discussion. All sides. I'm sure I am just like everyone else, knee-deep in applications.
My handwritting, well it's not the best so I always use the doc form if it is available and type most of the info in. I just filled out a 7 page application for a small regional show. PLEEZZZEEE.
one question: if they want a cd, do they know to look on the attached info attached digitaly to the file? and how do I know that the pics are going to pop up in the same sequence that the paper info asked for?
It's just something that is bothering me these days! Thanks! Oh and sometimes they don't say if they want the jury fee separate from the booth fee. Your guess is as good as mine.
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Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on -
I'm confused. What information are you attaching to the files and what exactly do the instructions say to do?
Image file names when submitting a CD should follow the instructions exactly so they do know whose images they are looking at and the order they are seeing them in.
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Crystal Neubauer on -
I'm just beginning to prepare for the process of applying for shows this year. Thank-you for the insight!
Crystal
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on -
NO NO NO NO. Do NOT NOT NOT send me actual samples of your handmade greeting cards and please, don't bother sending me your resume instead of filling out the back side of the application. Just fill out the application as instructed, send photographic prints or digital images of your work, and your chances of even being considered by the jury will skyrocket.
And if you KNOW it's a fine art show, why are you sending me an application with a note that starts out, "I know my work isn't fine art and this is supposed to be a fine art show"?
Oh, Larry, I wish my hosts had the money and were willing to embrace an electronic, online application process!!!
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Permalink Reply by skip stang on -
SOOO i guess pictures of the kids and dog are out of the question
(sorry just could not help myself)
Art on the Lawn said:NO NO NO NO. Do NOT NOT NOT send me actual samples of your handmade greeting cards and please, don't bother sending me your resume instead of filling out the back side of the application. Just fill out the application as instructed, send photographic prints or digital images of your work, and your chances of even being considered by the jury will skyrocket.
And if you KNOW it's a fine art show, why are you sending me an application with a note that starts out, "I know my work isn't fine art and this is supposed to be a fine art show"?
Oh, Larry, I wish my hosts had the money and were willing to embrace an electronic, online application process!!!
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on
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Um, ah, only if they're REALLY arty-farty ones. LOL. Thanks for the laugh, Skip!
skip stang said:SOOO i guess pictures of the kids and dog are out of the question
(sorry just could not help myself)
Art on the Lawn said:NO NO NO NO. Do NOT NOT NOT send me actual samples of your handmade greeting cards and please, don't bother sending me your resume instead of filling out the back side of the application. Just fill out the application as instructed, send photographic prints or digital images of your work, and your chances of even being considered by the jury will skyrocket.
And if you KNOW it's a fine art show, why are you sending me an application with a note that starts out, "I know my work isn't fine art and this is supposed to be a fine art show"?
Oh, Larry, I wish my hosts had the money and were willing to embrace an electronic, online application process!!!
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Permalink Reply by Connie Mettler on -
As an organizer of some art fairs here is another irritating thing. On our application we have a box that says something like "what would you like the judges to know about your work?"
Okay, I get the answer "that it is wonderful", "that it is the best ever", (another way to waste an opportunity to sell yourself to the jury) but when it says "see attached"... not going to happen.
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on
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I received one last week, where instead of sending four images and a booth shot, directed me to their website. Not happening...
Connie Mettler said:As an organizer of some art fairs here is another irritating thing. On our application we have a box that says something like "what would you like the judges to know about your work?"
Okay, I get the answer "that it is wonderful", "that it is the best ever", (another way to waste an opportunity to sell yourself to the jury) but when it says "see attached"... not going to happen.
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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on -
Many indie shows use a website instead of sending 4 images to represent a body of work.
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on
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Diane, that may be, and if the instructions said to list the artist's web site, that's what I'd be looking for. When the instructions clearly state four or five photographic prints or images on CD, it's inappropriate to substitute a URL instead.
I know, as an exhibiting artist, myself, that every application is different, the rules are not uniform, and sometimes, they are downright ridiculous (I skip those), but part of one's success in any endeavor is being able to follow the directions.
Diane Wright said:Many indie shows use a website instead of sending 4 images to represent a body of work.
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Permalink Reply by Martha Giberson on -
Barbara - thank you very much for letting walk a few minutes in your shoes. I can see why trying to pull together the jury images for a show can be such a hassle. Thanks also for your patience with all the absent minded, overworked, and overstressed artists - martha
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on
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Thanks for the kind words, Martha. I love producing shows. I've met the most wonderful people and made many friends over the years. When I'm out doing a show, myself, it's a wonderful gift to run into the artists who do my shows!
Martha Giberson said:Barbara - thank you very much for letting walk a few minutes in your shoes. I can see why trying to pull together the jury images for a show can be such a hassle. Thanks also for your patience with all the absent minded, overworked, and overstressed artists - martha
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