Should jury choices be based only on scores?

"Are acceptances only based on score? I could see where for balance a director might switch out an artist that had very similar work to other accepted artists. For example all painters with high scores did landscapes or there were a lot of landscapes in other 2d media. That would make for a pretty boring show. So I could see a case where you could get a message that said, your score was 15, the acceptance cutoff was 14 (because the abstract painter that replaced your landscapes got a 14)." - from Lisa in another discussion.

Shouldn't shows balance the type of work in each media? Then if so, as in the example above, how can the shows send out the scores. My usual example is that jewelers who do high end invariably all get high scores, yet a show can't be all gold and gem, but shouldn't it also have some alternative materials or beading? Too many landscapes (in photo), no studio work; all sculptural pottery, nothing functional?

So then, if you agree with this, how does a show send out the scores?

OK, I can buy into the first part, you may have great art but your booth stinks! It all may work out...based on scores.

I feel if the artist understand more about the criteria of a show, more people would opt out from paying $35-$55 to jury into a show. One of our biggest expense is jury fees.

If we knew the Rules (and they stuck by them)...we could make the decision whether to spend the jury fee or not. If more artist knew the rules, artist might end up not losing money which would allow more jury time to the artist who feel that meet the criteria for that show.

As far as Booth Shots, I've seen where EZ UP are allowed (rules written on their web site saying they are allowed) but did not get into the show because they had an EZ UP...I know this for a fact!

Replies

Bruce Meyer September 16, 2011 at 4:57pm

Yes,it is about the scores. If only abstract scored high in painting, then maybe the jury pool is not diverse.
- Dawn Vertrees > Bruce Meyer September 16, 2011 at 5:52pm
  
  But don't they allow say 30% past participating artist back to the show, say 20% new artist, a few emerging, etc etc etc? Doesn't this mess up the Scores? Or are the 30% past artist exempt from scores.
  
  Scores should put everyone on an even playing ground, right?
  - Larry Berman > Dawn Vertrees September 16, 2011 at 6:10pm
    
    It's really about what the show director does with the jury results. Artists that are invited back including previous years award winners are usually not juried.
    
    Larry Berman
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
    - Dawn Vertrees > Larry Berman September 16, 2011 at 6:19pm
      
      Wow, I guess that opens up a can of worms...we pay to be juried in and then the show director pics his favorites? Do not be upset with me because I'm playing devils avocate...I truly want to understand the system here.
      
      Larry, what about the special criteria that the show director dictates to the jurors even before they start...how does this effect the Score?
      
      I want the Score to work...just trying to figure out if its even possible.
      - Larry Berman > Dawn Vertrees September 16, 2011 at 6:26pm
        
        How the jurors are charged (instructions given to them) should reinforce the vision the show has, if the director understands that vision. Some juries I've attended, the jurors were charged in private and some in front of whoever wanted to listen. What they are normally told is to score the best they can and the balance of the show will work itself out.
        
        What I'd like to hear is how the jurors are told to treat the booth image.
        
        Remember that it's difficult to think (fast) within the ten to twenty seconds they see each artist's images. Between this and the other thread Connie started, shows would be better served by their juries if they slowed the process down and gave each artist at least a minute.
        
        Larry Berman
        http://BermanGraphics.com
        412-401-8100
        
        Dawn Vertrees > Larry Berman September 16, 2011 at 7:42pm
        
        You've peaked my interest here...why would you like to hear "how the jurors are told to treat the booth image".
        
        I know, through the grapevine certain things that the jurors are looking for and I've tried to catch every "guess" "hear say" out there and make sure my booth fits the guessing game criteria...what are we missing Larry?
        
        My goodness, it's like a game were playing and paying for. Seriously, are we OK with this?
        
        Dawn Vertrees > Larry Berman September 16, 2011 at 6:51pm
        
        OK, I can buy into the first part, you may have great art but your booth stinks! It all may work out...based on scores.
        
        I feel if the artist understand more about the criteria of a show, more people would opt out from paying $35-$55 to jury into a show. One of our biggest expense is jury fees.
        
        If we knew the Rules (and they stuck by them)...we could make the decision whether to spend the jury fee or not. If more artist knew the rules, artist might end up not losing money which would allow more jury time to the artist who feel that meet the criteria for that show.
        
        As far as Booth Shots, I've seen where EZ UP are allowed (rules written on their web site saying they are allowed) but did not get into the show because they had an EZ UP...I know this for a fact!
Connie Mettler September 16, 2011 at 12:37pm

Good point, Michelle.

My question really is (let's talk about painting) -- so the scores are 18, 18, 18, 18, 17, 17, 16, 15.... e.g., and all the 18's are abstract, when the scores are reported back to the artists and maybe only 3 of those who got an 18 get in, and then the 15... to balance the show... this complicates things, doesn't it?

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