I am a little miffed by all the jury fees that have been attached to shows, especially since some of the photo submissions are done by email. Art shows have become big business for promoters and this is a way of getting extra money specifically from those not accepted.
I have juried a show and it is not difficult. You have certain categories and you usually have enough applications to fill them with talented artists/artisans. It is usual that, once the categories are filled, the other applications do not even get viewed.
In this day, when booth fees are generous, I feel that adding the jury fee is another way of sticking it to the artists. It's bad enough that we have to travel, get accommodations, pay gas, set up our tents and display and endure whatever weather may happen. Promoters are doing less and less for the participants and charging more. Where would they all be if we didn't come?
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Thank you all for your insider information. It is very valuable to me. I will inquire as to the ways in which I can improve when applying to fine art shows.
I have written before that I have been more than miffed at shows that brag about the number of applicants they have versus the number who get accepted. Multiplying the jury fee X the number of applicants results in a staggering number. I'm sure that some shows have jurors who know what they are looking at in all categories, but I can't believe that it costs so much for the jurors to spend 45 seconds looking at each application. I also get more than miffed when I don't get any information on the reason why I'm not chosen. This year for the first time s show asked if I wanted the results of the jury process! I was so grateful to get the feedback. I feel like I've been pouring money down a rabbit hole for several years. That feedback has already given me a direction to pursue to making it into better shows. IMO, it seems that some shows don't give us feedback is so that they can continue to get the jury money year after year. If I knew what needed to be fixed I could do that, or just forget about some shows altogether. Cynical, yes!
I've never begrudged a good fine art show the jury fee. It's a cost of doing business, just like gasoline and hamburgers. Like Oscar, I apply to over 50 shows a year, and have an acceptance rate of somewhere north of 50%. App fees can run me up to $1500 yearly, like Oscar said.
That said, I would never knowingly apply to a show that only juried til full and lets in any "talented artists/artisans". That sounds like this particular show barely gets enough applicants to fill the spots. If you have 100 spots and only 120 applicants, your options are limited: accept everyone, or cancel the show.
Shows with vendor booths intermingled with the artists rarely live up to the moniker "fine art show". They may be moneymakers for the sunglasses and NY Times vendor, but not so much for the painters, potters and photographers.
There are lots of resources out there to help you determine what shows might be a good fit for you and your work. For starters, ArtFairReview.com
ArtFairReview, a closed group on Facebook, is another resource.
Greg Lawler's "Art Fair Sourcebook" has long been an industry standard, if you subscribe to his yearly database.
Look at Sunshine Artist, for filler shows, and second-tier craft shows. The reviews can be somewhat biased however.
And for a down and dirty list of what one artist's top 25 shows, click here:
Top 25 Shows in the US
The thread is inane. Who would apply to a show and give them a jury fee if they did this (stop jurying when the show is full.) It must be a tier 3 show and should never take a jury fee. It is not an easy task to PROPERLY jury a show.
I'm sorry, what, Eileen? "It is usual that, once the categories are filled, the other applications do not even get viewed." Is that indeed "usual"? I'd call that reprehensible! (Miff-worthy, if you like!) The jury fee, in my understanding, is at least in part to compensate those viewing (jurying) one's work!
Can others who jury art fairs weigh in on this, please?
Thank you both, Larry and Eileen. I was more than disappointed. One the right side of me was the Shark Tested Sunglass vendor and on the left the Destination Fitness Apparel from Australia. I would appreciate a show list, as I have had to change all of my shows to the South Florida venues. I am the primary caretaker for my elderly parents (92 and 90). It is just like starting over. I have lost $$$ by having to cancel shows because they outside of my travel area. Now, all South Florida shows have stopped for the summer.
I not saying that you are wrong Karen but happen if 500000 walk by your booth and nobody buy your art. That will be the promoter fault also. I do not care about the people walking I care about the buyers and that what we are missing in general. You could had 5 customer and spend each one 1000 each and you will be happy.
Besides there sources to check about a show before you do it. I think you should do your homework.
I have paid the jury & show fee and then tried to figure out what the jury standards were since I have seen just about anything exhibited. It's become dollars rather than talents. Fill those spaces at any cost. If a promoter spent more time catering to the needs of the exhibitors, they would get better quality participating in the first place. How many have you supported shows during slow economic times because of the promoter and their efforts to support you?
Is there a specific list of shows that are consistently run well? They can be big or small. Is there a list of shows to avoid? Let's help each other out. Spending $525 for a booth is a shame when Karen could have been alerted to avoid it altogether.
Delray Affair has never been even close to being an art show.
Larry Berman
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