Bringing in the Artists...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on March 19, 2010 at 7:23pm

One way is to research Art groups in your area and the surrounding area. Some areas even have their own local discussion group, like Art Fair Insiders. Doing this, I discovered county Art Councils in all the North Carolina counties. I also found Art Associations in other parts of Virginia. They are all now on my mailing list. Some associations even publish email addresses for their members, which gives you an easier, and cheaper, way to contact them.

Another thing that I've been doing for a few years is picking up business cards at other shows. Those go in a list for future show mailings. Some local promoters will share their list with you, too. I've also seen "Calls for Artists" advertised on Craig's List!

An important part of advertising, both for artists and attendees, is your press releases. Send out a well worded press release as early as you can about the event. These should go out as soon as the date is really firm. Follow up with Releases 3 & 6 weeks before the event. Some people say 2, 4, & 6 weeks before. The Press Release should be worded so that it can almost be printed word for word. Smaller newspapers will do just that. The less work the person receiving the release has to do, the more likely it is that your Press Release will get used! Each copy that you send out should be worded differently, targeting different audiences. The preliminary release should be more geared toward the artist, while the last release is more geared towards the attendees.

Permalink Reply by David Csaszar on March 19, 2010 at 7:50pm

Thanks Dave,

I have emailed many of local art centers and others out side of my area and no reply yet.
Should I call them direct or do you think this is too direct. I will try follow up e-mails this weekend.
So are you saying I should join up to all these art groups. Which promoters will share thier list with me in Mi. I have been using Craig's list to post to call for artist. When you go to art events do you find alot of artist for your show by picking up thier business cards. I would like thank you again for the suggestions, it helps a great deal.

Thanks Dave

Thank You
David Csaszar

Dave Hinde said:

One way is to research Art groups in your area and the surrounding area. Some areas even have their own local discussion group, like Art Fair Insiders. Doing this, I discovered county Art Councils in all the North Carolina counties. I also found Art Associations in other parts of Virginia. They are all now on my mailing list. Some associations even publish email addresses for their members, which gives you an easier, and cheaper, way to contact them.

Another thing that I've been doing for a few years is picking up business cards at other shows. Those go in a list for future show mailings. Some local promoters will share their list with you, too. I've also seen "Calls for Artists" advertised on Craig's List!

An important part of advertising, both for artists and attendees, is your press releases. Send out a well worded press release as early as you can about the event. These should go out as soon as the date is really firm. Follow up with Releases 3 & 6 weeks before the event. Some people say 2, 4, & 6 weeks before. The Press Release should be worded so that it can almost be printed word for word. Smaller newspapers will do just that. The less work the person receiving the release has to do, the more likely it is that your Press Release will get used! Each copy that you send out should be worded differently, targeting different audiences. The preliminary release should be more geared toward the artist, while the last release is more geared towards the attendees.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Sholund on March 19, 2010 at 9:49pm

David, I hear your request for help getting artists to your show. I hope what I have to say, specifically about your request will help.

You said... I join on Art Fair Insiders for this reason and to receive ideas on how to tap in to other resoures to help me with this matter. So I welcome suggestions and I have e-mailed art groups,art centers, community art centers and so on and no reply yet.

What information are you telling artists? Is it a simple who, what, when, where? Do you realize that "all" artists (that sell at fairs) are not involved in art groups, art centers, etc.? Many artists who do art fairs, only do art fairs. Those who are are in guilds and such do a lot of exhibitions or sell to galleries. Although some do both, you should know where your target audience (in this case art fair exhibitors) look or find out info for future shows. To get a show off the ground you have to go to the artists. This means walk shows and talk to the artists, listen to what they have to say - are they looking to do more shows? What do they look for in shows? Are they complaining that there are too many shows going on on any given weekend? Are you advertising where artists are looking? Do you know there are publications in each region of the US devoted to advertising one's show? Are you on zaplicaiton? Do you have a Facebook page? Are you doing press releases or most importantly, call for artists, in local newspaper or free circulars? Are you listed with the Dept. of Tourism, chamber of commerce orgs, and the like? These are all places artists look for tips on shows to do in the area and beyond- and that is just the beginning. This is called research.

Seriously though, it's great to want to put on a show/art fair. I mean that - not everyone can do it. But you just can't say "Here's an art fair, come and sign up to do my art fair!" When you (and others you work with) thought of doing this did you weigh the pros and cons? Did you look to see if there are other shows in the area on the same day that might prove to be competition for your event? My fear for you is that it sounds like you got a late start and due to this, many artists already have their schedules full, therefore no applications are coming in. The other thing is what is in it for the artists? Why should they apply to your show over others? What makes yours the best or the most unique?

When I promoted our show we wanted to have a show each season - 1 in the Spring, Summer (indoor and air-conditioned) and in the Fall. The Winter was devoted as a seminar for artists to get tips and ideas on how to make their craft/art business to run better, smoother and more profitable. The juried shows was called the MD Four Seasons Fine Art and Craft Markets. It was different from all others because we offered fine art and fine craft exhibitors that were all local artists (from the Mid-Atlantic region), but in an atmosphere that is casual, like a market. I went to over 100 art fairs and talked to artists and simply invited them to learn about our events and informed them how to apply. We advertised in art fair publications, countless art/craft websites, and you name it we did it and started as soon as the date was confirmed. We also did cash back referral programs with artists, multiple show discounts, added links to their websites from our website for the first few that applied, had cash prizes for best in show and best booth display, and others. The most important part is assuring the exhibitors that you advertise to buyers, not just shoppers or browsers, explaining your advertising strategy. We did this - our patrons weren't in large numbers, but each exhibitor except for maybe 2-3 found good to great sales (as stated via surveys at the end of the show). Granted, this was my show, and each promoters will have different experiences. I have no idea what your show offers, but what you do offer - play it up and shout it from the mountain tops. Try talking to artists that might have gotten rejection letters, looking for last minute shows to fill their schedule, as well as new artists looking to start selling at art fairs - this is just my opinion though.

Other than that, I wish you luck and much success. It takes a lot of long hours and a lot of patience to do what you are doing and I compliment you for your efforts. With absolute sincerity, I do wish you the best!

Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

Permalink Reply by David Csaszar on March 19, 2010 at 10:04pm

Michelle,

Thank you for all of your sugguestions and I will double check everything I have done so far and start from there, I appreciate your ideas and hope I can still pull this off.

Thanks Dave

Michelle Sholund said:

David, I hear your request for help getting artists to your show. I hope what I have to say, specifically about your request will help.

You said... I join on Art Fair Insiders for this reason and to receive ideas on how to tap in to other resoures to help me with this matter. So I welcome suggestions and I have e-mailed art groups,art centers, community art centers and so on and no reply yet.

What information are you telling artists? Is it a simple who, what, when, where? Do you realize that "all" artists (that sell at fairs) are not involved in art groups, art centers, etc.? Many artists who do art fairs, only do art fairs. Those who are are in guilds and such do a lot of exhibitions or sell to galleries. Although some do both, you should know where your target audience (in this case art fair exhibitors) look or find out info for future shows. To get a show off the ground you have to go to the artists. This means walk shows and talk to the artists, listen to what they have to say - are they looking to do more shows? What do they look for in shows? Are they complaining that there are too many shows going on on any given weekend? Are you advertising where artists are looking? Do you know there are publications in each region of the US devoted to advertising one's show? Are you on zaplicaiton? Do you have a Facebook page? Are you doing press releases or most importantly, call for artists, in local newspaper or free circulars? Are you listed with the Dept. of Tourism, chamber of commerce orgs, and the like? These are all places artists look for tips on shows to do in the area and beyond- and that is just the beginning. This is called research.

Seriously though, it's great to want to put on a show/art fair. I mean that - not everyone can do it. But you just can't say "Here's an art fair, come and sign up to do my art fair!" When you (and others you work with) thought of doing this did you weigh the pros and cons? Did you look to see if there are other shows in the area on the same day that might prove to be competition for your event? My fear for you is that it sounds like you got a late start and due to this, many artists already have their schedules full, therefore no applications are coming in. The other thing is what is in it for the artists? Why should they apply to your show over others? What makes yours the best or the most unique?

When I promoted our show we wanted to have a show each season - 1 in the Spring, Summer (indoor and air-conditioned) and in the Fall. The Winter was devoted as a seminar for artists to get tips and ideas on how to make their craft/art business to run better, smoother and more profitable. The juried shows was called the MD Four Seasons Fine Art and Craft Markets. It was different from all others because we offered fine art and fine craft exhibitors that were all local artists (from the Mid-Atlantic region), but in an atmosphere that is casual, like a market. I went to over 100 art fairs and talked to artists and simply invited them to learn about our events and informed them how to apply. We advertised in art fair publications, countless art/craft websites, and you name it we did it and started as soon as the date was confirmed. We also did cash back referral programs with artists, multiple show discounts, added links to their websites from our website for the first few that applied, had cash prizes for best in show and best booth display, and others. The most important part is assuring the exhibitors that you advertise to buyers, not just shoppers or browsers, explaining your advertising strategy. We did this - our patrons weren't in large numbers, but each exhibitor except for maybe 2-3 found good to great sales (as stated via surveys at the end of the show). Granted, this was my show, and each promoters will have different experiences. I have no idea what your show offers, but what you do offer - play it up and shout it from the mountain tops. Try talking to artists that might have gotten rejection letters, looking for last minute shows to fill their schedule, as well as new artists looking to start selling at art fairs - this is just my opinion though.

Other than that, I wish you luck and much success. It takes a lot of long hours and a lot of patience to do what you are doing and I compliment you for your efforts. With absolute sincerity, I do wish you the best!

Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com

Permalink Reply by Kristina Jones on July 9, 2010 at 2:10pm

How are you taking applications? I would suggest ZAPP for the first year at least, as many artists are on there and use it to find shows that they can go to. Once you get a good list under your belt, then switch to a less expensive, easier to use program such as Entry Thingy. Also, getting some help from a seasoned veteran with many contacts (such as Connie ;) ) can be invaluable in getting the word out.