Posted by Paul Flack on September 5, 2011 at 8:00pm
The Atlanta Midtown Festial of the Arts cancelled all of the artists' booths for the show. Those who had paid for booth space were refunded the booth space BUT NOT the jury fee. Ditto all of the people who applied. Is this fair?
As best I know there is no paid staff. What I think MAY have happened is that last year's success made them realize that this could be a good event and they want to work with that potential and they were unprepared financially to make that happen, are taking a step back to ensure success. Just a surmise. From what I know of the organizers they will do their best to make sure that everyone who was accepted this year will receive fair treatment. "Underwrite"? Everyone who applied is going to be there another year... plus, when they get there the event should be even better than if they went ahead with it this underfunded.
This event is not being held in a shopping mall or a public park, but on the streets of Atlanta. Do you realize what that means? Serious security, porta-jon companies, electricians, parking issues and permits, cooperation with the City, local businesses, disrupting public transportation, lining up the media to get the word out.
Richard I agree, they knew there would be consequences and the bet that the artists would just take it. Connie, you are a promoter, you know there a paid staff in addition to "volunteers". They are responsible and accountable. Why should the artists have to underwrite their incompetence?
Application Fees must be returned. Due to poor planning or other circumstances the event is not being held. I am sure there were some expenses that were paid by the event but that does not mean that the applicants have to finance those expenses. The event needs to give everyone all their money back and the event takes the financial hit, not interested artists.
Paul and everyone -- the Midtown Festival in Atlanta is run by a group of volunteers. They want this event to happen as much as anyone. This is a non-profit group. Please give them a break. They are trying as hard as they can to be fair to all. I'd really appreciate it if you would not jump on them. Please have some patience with the other side of this.
It is really too bad about artists who had extended their expenses beyond the jury fee (so sorry Travis!). Should I try to find a buyer for that room on this site?
They are not the same people who run the Dogwood Festival nor the Atlanta Festival of the Arts.
Thank you Nancy, I was beginning to think it was just me. The funny thing is they are not shy about emailing you to apply for next year, so we know they know who we are and how to get in touch with us.
JMHO, of course, but it doesn't matter whether or not they've done the jurying. They never provided a product to the consumer (artists), so in all good faith they ought to refund everything. They shouldn't expect that by postponing the show for a year they can accommodate all of the accepted artists. Life has a way of changing on us, and who knows how many of those folks will be able to attend when the show finally happens? And it's a very good point that the current accepted artists have lost other money besides the jury fees. Bad, bad business practices if they don't refund everything.
I only hope that they are honest and tell the people who apply for the 2012 show that most of the booths are already sold and don't do what Kentuck does every year, lead people to believe they are applying to a show with 300+ booths when in fact only a handful are really open.
Comments
As best I know there is no paid staff. What I think MAY have happened is that last year's success made them realize that this could be a good event and they want to work with that potential and they were unprepared financially to make that happen, are taking a step back to ensure success. Just a surmise. From what I know of the organizers they will do their best to make sure that everyone who was accepted this year will receive fair treatment. "Underwrite"? Everyone who applied is going to be there another year... plus, when they get there the event should be even better than if they went ahead with it this underfunded.
This event is not being held in a shopping mall or a public park, but on the streets of Atlanta. Do you realize what that means? Serious security, porta-jon companies, electricians, parking issues and permits, cooperation with the City, local businesses, disrupting public transportation, lining up the media to get the word out.
Application Fees must be returned. Due to poor planning or other circumstances the event is not being held. I am sure there were some expenses that were paid by the event but that does not mean that the applicants have to finance those expenses. The event needs to give everyone all their money back and the event takes the financial hit, not interested artists.
Paul and everyone -- the Midtown Festival in Atlanta is run by a group of volunteers. They want this event to happen as much as anyone. This is a non-profit group. Please give them a break. They are trying as hard as they can to be fair to all. I'd really appreciate it if you would not jump on them. Please have some patience with the other side of this.
It is really too bad about artists who had extended their expenses beyond the jury fee (so sorry Travis!). Should I try to find a buyer for that room on this site?
They are not the same people who run the Dogwood Festival nor the Atlanta Festival of the Arts.
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