Interested in the exact statistics from one of the highest rated art fairs in the country? Then you'll enjoy this detailed report from the Saint Louis Art Fair:
All of the top shows constantly have an extreme abundance of artists applying each year. All are extremely competitive. Even after the added booths controversy of Bayou City last year many artists this year were still waitlisted...I am guessing that means all 450 booth spots are sold out this year.
When a show such as St Louis does everything right it becomes even more desirable to get into.
I equate the way a show producer interacts with the artists, and in fact everyone else involved with the show, as the same way I value a customer service department. When I participated in the St Louis Mock Jury I at first did not receive the emailed results. I posted here on AFI that I did not get then and got a call that same day from Cindy Lerick and we corrected the email problem and I received them right away...THAT is top notch customer service...just as it should be from any organization or company we choose to do business with.
I should really keep quiet about this show because who needs more people to compete against to get a spot in this show. I believe only 1 out of every 10-15 applicants got in. However, you may want to read my review of the 2014 show on this web site. It was really meant for show directors to read and it was written after the Bayou City fiasco. If all shows would follow the St Louis example, we would have much better shows, artists would have more quality choices, and we would all make more money. I really need to get in again this year because people need to see an artist more than once.
Geri, first of all, it isn't that far away and it is all freeway driving. Secondly, the jury is totally new every year so no juror knows if an artist is new to the show or has done it 10 times.
Some time back, Geri, Cindy posted that kind of information. If you look for her page on here you should be able to find it. What surprised me is that when you imagine the big shows and you hear about the thousands of applications they all receive, that in fact, that is one of the myths -- not thousands, but around 1300 -- still plenty, and your odds are pretty stiff of getting in ...
I did the drive from Chicago to St. Louis a couple of years ago. You get some books on tape and wander through the cornfields and before you know it, you are there. Not a scenic drive, but wonderful Middle America, peaceful.
Wow, that is really impressive. The only scary stat I saw was that out of 181 artists, only 53 were new. Then again, does that mean first time ever or just new that year but had been there in the past.
This the kind of information that dispels a lot of fantasies about what is actually going on in the build up and promoting and organizing of a show. Curious about what makes it work so well. Do click. Don't say I didn't tell you so.
Comments
All of the top shows constantly have an extreme abundance of artists applying each year. All are extremely competitive. Even after the added booths controversy of Bayou City last year many artists this year were still waitlisted...I am guessing that means all 450 booth spots are sold out this year.
When a show such as St Louis does everything right it becomes even more desirable to get into.
I equate the way a show producer interacts with the artists, and in fact everyone else involved with the show, as the same way I value a customer service department. When I participated in the St Louis Mock Jury I at first did not receive the emailed results. I posted here on AFI that I did not get then and got a call that same day from Cindy Lerick and we corrected the email problem and I received them right away...THAT is top notch customer service...just as it should be from any organization or company we choose to do business with.
I should really keep quiet about this show because who needs more people to compete against to get a spot in this show. I believe only 1 out of every 10-15 applicants got in. However, you may want to read my review of the 2014 show on this web site. It was really meant for show directors to read and it was written after the Bayou City fiasco. If all shows would follow the St Louis example, we would have much better shows, artists would have more quality choices, and we would all make more money. I really need to get in again this year because people need to see an artist more than once.
Geri, first of all, it isn't that far away and it is all freeway driving. Secondly, the jury is totally new every year so no juror knows if an artist is new to the show or has done it 10 times.
Geri,
In 2014, 53 new artists were first time to Saint Louis Artists. Of the 181, 31 are award winners. We select 150 applicants from the jury pool.
Some time back, Geri, Cindy posted that kind of information. If you look for her page on here you should be able to find it. What surprised me is that when you imagine the big shows and you hear about the thousands of applications they all receive, that in fact, that is one of the myths -- not thousands, but around 1300 -- still plenty, and your odds are pretty stiff of getting in ...
I did the drive from Chicago to St. Louis a couple of years ago. You get some books on tape and wander through the cornfields and before you know it, you are there. Not a scenic drive, but wonderful Middle America, peaceful.
Wow, that is really impressive. The only scary stat I saw was that out of 181 artists, only 53 were new. Then again, does that mean first time ever or just new that year but had been there in the past.
Wish it wasn't so far from Chicago.
This the kind of information that dispels a lot of fantasies about what is actually going on in the build up and promoting and organizing of a show. Curious about what makes it work so well. Do click. Don't say I didn't tell you so.
Such an amazing Fair. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Carol and I are able to get in and participate.