Once again, I am waitlisted by a show whose wait list policy I can’t determine. I emailed right after receiving the notification through ZAPP, asking what their poicy was, do they fill cancellations by medium, do I have a wait list number, etc. I have received no reply in the intervening 3 weeks.
I have an acceptance to another show whose booth fee is due within a few days. I would prefer to do show # 1, which I have never done. The accepted show I have done maybe 5 times, with average, but not exciting results. I feel the potential is much better for the waitlisted show, but I can’t hold out much longer with sending in the fee to show # 2. Once the latter fee is sent, the window to receive a portion back is very small.
I am guessing that their wait list policy, since they can’t or won’t state it, is that they don’t have a “system,” but fill cancellations with director’s choice, i.e., whatever work seems to fill the need the best. It’s their show, they can do what they like. I prefer the jury point order system, but that’s because it’s more predictable. I’m starting to get the impression that “director’s choice” is a more common way of handling a wait list than I realized. It makes a certain amount of sense, when trying to fill a gap, to have the freedom to choose the work with the best fit, rather than the greatest number of jury points.
If that is the system, I’d just like to know it. Is that too much to ask?
I really hate not knowing where I stand, but this seems to be true more often than not. Only a very few shows have a transparent wait list policy.
It’s anecdotal info, but in 27 years, I have been called off the wait list for shows where I didn’t have a number only twice. Considering I normally get at least 5 wait lists a year, you can see why knowing nothing does not make me hopeful. If I have a number at least I can make an informed decision to fish or cut bait.
I have drafted another email to them, but not sent it yet. I hate to sound petulant or begging. In it, I say, more or less, that they are my first choice for the weekend, which is true. I am undecided about mentioning the other acceptance. I think I will not. After all, it means nothing to them whether they choose me, or the next person. Whereas it does mean something to me.
What is your approach when sending a second inquiry?
Replies
Hi Linnea
You paid the jury fee, you have every right to call and ask them what is up and they should be obligated to respond to you! Show directors and staff all know how booking is and that we are often placed in a situation where money is at stake with a deadline. I will say a little prayer that you get in. Just be professional, polite and firm when you call and hopefully they will either invite you on the spot or send you an invitation real soon!! Good Luck!
There is a certain show in Wisconsin that has a reputation for not responding. I was on the wait list a couple years ago and sent an email without any response. Then I tried calling a few times but the voice mail was full and I could not leave a message. I mentioned this to several artists and was told this particular show was famous for not responding. Go figure? Could it possibly be the same show?
For what it's worth, no answer to my second email. Funny, when I was looking for further infomation on the show before applying, they did answer my email....
I'll try calling when I know I can behave myself.
You've been at this a long time, Linnea. Be brave, call the show. You deserve an answer. Then let us know what you learned.
This same thing happened to me, then one day I realized there was some spam mail, which I never get at this e-mail box and there it was, it was the "mailer daemon" saying it was undeliverable and it was placed in my spam box for some reason. I don't know what the reason was, I gave up, but you might try again, and just mention nicely, without blame that you had e-mailed and heard nothing, so you were checking once again before you accepted another invitation. Hope this helps.
T.H.
I definitely would make the phone call, as Alison said, and if you can only leave a message on a voicemail system I would call again the following day to try again. It puts you on their radar that you are serious and will come if chosen. Get an answer from them. Yes, the shows that don't have 1000's of applicants, I believe do what you suggested. They have their pool of wait list artists and when an opening occurs they choose the work that best fits the show. If say a jeweler who does recycled work drops out they may choose another person like that rather than a person who does precious metal, in order to balance the variety of work in the show.
Also, I would let them know you are having to choose and have another guaranteed spot. Full disclosure is not begging, it is good business.
I usually make one call, not email, and I inquire about my specific chances since I really want to do the show but I need to fill the weekend. I don't ask about their policy because some shows prefer to keep that private and whether or not that is fair is for another discussion. Their policy is not what I really need to know, I need to know what are my chances. I've gotten very honest answers that way from "you're second on the list, you will get called" to "we fill by medium and you are in a small medium, your chances are very slim"
If you have only been called off of a waitlist only twice in 27 years it seems like a easy decision to make when you are against these odds. It is a shame that the show cannot provide a definitive answer...but I would go with the definite and not risk being left out of both shows altogether.
I hope you work it out to your advantage...