Call for Artists, Making Money at Juried Art Fairs, Craft Shows and Festivals
Would you enter this show?
There is a juried art show that I am considering entering.
So I talked to the promoter and learned the following:
The show has an estimated attendance of 10,000 people. She was very unsure about this figure. There are 200 booths with appproxiamately 200 applications for those booths per year. So basically everyone gets in unless the jury says their work is "inappropriate" ( whatever that means). She estimates that 33 to 40% of the artists in one year's show return for the next year's show. She says she has no idea about what the average sales are....it depends on your medium and how good you are are at your craft. This is a truism of course.
The booth fee is $100. There is no jury fee.
So would you enter this show?
I have made a decision on whether or not I will enter this show. But I am not going to tell you what it is right now. Ill post it later.
So would you enter this show?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Linda Anderson on -
Given only the above information - likely not. Sounds like a local art/craft fair - not that I rule those out automatically - some of them have been great to me. The organizer does not sound too experienced. I'd need quite a bit more information before I'd consider.
Hey David..... my husband grew up in Oconto Falls. Beautiful area
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Permalink Reply by Art on the Lawn: Barbara Berney on -
I'm an art fair director and an artist who participates in art fairs, as well.
A "juried" show where there are 200 booths and only 200 applications appears to me as though like they're too busy filling booths to be very discriminating about the quality of the work.
If only 33 to 40% of the artists return, there's a reason and it would behoove the promoter to find out what it is. One of my shows has a return rate of between 70-80%. The other I just took over, but historically, it looks like a return rate of about 62%.
I have no idea of the average sales, since I don't ask specifically. I ask how the show is going for each artist as I make the rounds, and generally, they will tell me whether or not they're selling, but not dollar amounts.
You don't say what the duration of the show is, but a $100 fee is pretty inexpensive for a 2-day show, and even for a good one-day show.
I'd take a pass on that show and look for a more promising alternative.
Barbara
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Permalink Reply by Larry Berman on -
Not enough information. Going back twenty years ago, I had the most commercial photography anyone ever sold at art shows so chances are that I would have tried almost anything that got decent traffic. But based on what you're asking, not knowing what your medium and price point is, it's an impossible question. Have you seen a list of previous exhibitors, especially those that have returned? Is it a metropolitan location or out in the middle of the woods? Is it indoors or outdoors?
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on
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I too would need a little more information, but comparing it to local shows around Norfolk, VA, it may be good. We have several shows where the price range is around $100. Gosport in Portsmouth, VA and Ocean View in Norfolk, VA are two that come to mind. The 10,000 attendance figure can be deceiving, too. If it's in a touristy area that normally has high traffic, then that's not 10,000 that came just for the Art. I'd rather have 5,000 people that came out specifically to go to an Art Show.
My suggestion would be to try and talk with someone that has done the show. Don't rule out a show because of low entry fees! I know the Ocean View Show is put on by artists, for artists, and we strive to keep our fees low. Travel and other expenses also come to mind. If it's close enough to home that you don't need a motel, then your only real expense is $100. I don't know what your break point is, but for me I'd be happy with $300 in sales at a $100 show, as long as the show itself was enjoyable.
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Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on -
Ill want to answer the questions you hove raised about the show:
It is a outdoor two day show.
The show is in a small Metropolitan area.
I paint sports portraits and landscapes. My price point for prints is $20 and for originals is $300 for a small painting.
I would camp at a nearby state park if I did this show.
I am planning on talking to someone who has done the show.
And Ill get a list of previous exhibitors (and check with them) if I think it would help finalize my decision.
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Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on
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Oops.....sorry.....it isnt a two day show....it is a one day only show on a Sunday in July.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Anderson on
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David - my guess is it's a one day 4th of July show. There tends to be quite a few of them. My overall preference for that weekend is to pick a show that is a two or more day event as if I my poor old aching body has to do the setup etc, I'd just as soon stick around an extra day or two. It also increases my chances to have good weather on at least one of the days.
David Hipwell said:Oops.....sorry.....it isnt a two day show....it is a one day only show on a Sunday in July.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Anderson on
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David,
If you are looking for Wisconsin shows, try these links
Fine Art Shows
Or the Wisconsin Directory of All Events - art and crafts events - For this one, download the 2010 PDF file indicated on the right hand side and save it to your desktop
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Permalink Reply by Amy Schulz on
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Sundays tend to be the slow days of the 2 day shows. Seems odd to have a Sunday only show. If it is indeed a 4th of July show, my personal thought is a no go. People will buy glow in the dark items and other toys to keep children happy and food. That is not a day that they are thinking of buying art.
Linda Anderson said:David - my guess is it's a one day 4th of July show. There tends to be quite a few of them. My overall preference for that weekend is to pick a show that is a two or more day event as if I my poor old aching body has to do the setup etc, I'd just as soon stick around an extra day or two. It also increases my chances to have good weather on at least one of the days.
David Hipwell said:Oops.....sorry.....it isnt a two day show....it is a one day only show on a Sunday in July.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoyt on -
If the show were close to home, had a Friday setup, (200 exhibitors setting up at once on Saturday??? Noooo!) and if I had an open weekend, I would do the show.
Why? Even if I only made $500, that's more than I would have made sitting in front of the TV on an open weekend. And that $400 profit pays for another show. To me that's a quick and easy 400 bucks!
But then again, just doing the show is half the fun for me. Because I absolutely love what I do for a living!
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Permalink Reply by S. Michelle Babcock on -
No way would I do this show. Too small, probably not a lot of great art and I doubt 10,000 patron if they won't even stick to that claim. Whose jurying? Too many questions and not enough answers.
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Permalink Reply by David Hipwell on
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Ok.....now my answer. (I started this discussion)
I would NOT do this show.....First I really doubt the 10,000 figure for attendance......I am guessing it would be more like 5,000......and if each person spent $7.50 on average (another guess).....then there would be a pool of $37,500 total.....divided by 200 booths equals $160 per booth.....all things being equal....but of course they are not.
Of course, we do know that turnover is too high.....only 33 to 40% return......
And it costs $100 to enter.....
And I did talk to another person who does this show and she said it was OK.....and of course most of you would not do this show....
Ill pass.....
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