Outrageous application fees

Just received an "Invitation" from Juried Art Services to apply to the West Palm Beach Fine Craft Show in February.  This lovely invite came with a $50 application fee ($75 if after 9/12!, but the website says it's only $70), and did note that ONLY last year's award of Excellence winners were grandfathered.  135 Spaces total.  When you are charging booth fees like this:

SHOW SCHEDULE

February 25 - Check-in and set-up
February 26 - 10 AM to 6 PM open to the public
February 27 - 10 AM to 6 PM open to the public
February 28 - 11 AM to 5 PM open to the public

BOOTH FEES

10' x 10' = $ 1,100
10' x 15' = $ 1,650

*10' x 10' corner = $1,450
*10' x 15' corner = $1,800

You don't typically have an application fee.  I cannot imagine sending $50 to a show that can charge such a huge fee (if you book a 10x10 corner you need to sell $10,000 to make retail sense - 15% rent factor) if they can't even get their application fees to match the website.

I have made a decision, and sent them this email after unsubscribing:

Just a note to let you know why I have unsubscribed from your emails.  We are taking a stance against outrageous application fees.  Any fee in excess of $25 should include enough detail on the number of spaces available, the NET number of spaces available, the category mix ratio, and the number of applications received last year.  $50 to apply without this information is like mailing $50 to a casino and asking them to place a bet for you.  Not going to happen.  Sorry

They probably won't read it.

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  • I understand the gist of this discussion, however, something else to think about, is how much time it takes them to get those images together and the jury ready to go. Plus, Cindy Lerick, who runs the St. Louis Art Fair, recently told me they spend more time doing the actual jurying, making those choices, than the entire time of the fair. I'd guess if you've got work that is competitive your images get looked at a LOT longer than 30 seconds.

  • I refuse to pay $50 for jury fees. I'm not sure if I've paid $35. I might have. When they spend all of like 20 seconds looking at your photos, that's outrageous. I realize that they have to pay fees to Zapp, and maybe they pay jurors, but even if they spent 1 minute looking at your photos, which they usually don't, that's $3,000 per hour. Lawyers don't even charge that much. If that's the case, we should be able to charge that much for our work at their shows.

  • In our genre, yes, they are. But we do have other original pieces ranging from $50-$2000.
  • Alan, are your EarClimberZ high end? Or do you have something else that is? What do you consider high end and low end? I consider our art high end since our lowest original price is usually $1,250. Occasionally we'll have one or two for less than that, but most are $2,200 and higher.

  •  Hi Alan, I have no idea what your work even is - or its pricepoint--- . I did Ann Marie for over ten years and had to give it a rest for awhile. Low end does well, that is what I know of the show. If you are in the $500 plus bracket, (I am not)  I wish you the best! Ann Marie is a great show to do with a loyal following. Have fun, its a beautiful setting.

  • Thanks for implying that our body of work is "low end". We saw lots of art in the $500 plus bracket go home last year, so your perception is a bit off.
  •    Ann Marie Gardens is affiliated with the Smithsonian. It has sculpture on LOAN on from the Smithsonian and the National Gallery. The Ann Marie Gardens show (artfest) has nothing to do with the Smithsonian.  Low end work does better there.

  • Susan, if you look on Paragon's website there is a phone number.  Bill Kinney has always either answered the phone or gotten back to me the same day if I call during the week.

  • This is a continuing topic of consternation among artists. I did a podcast a while back with show directors and a juror about the costs of hosting a jury and what is happening there. It sheds some light on what these juries cost the shows. Check it out here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2012/11/21/how-art-fairs-choo...

  • Nolly, if you are at the level to be indoors in your work (only the finest of fine art, it's totally worth it).  Only show I have ever been to that has early birds an hour before the show opens with many of them pulling little red wagons or carts for their 'finds'.  Did not hear a single artist complaining about sales.  Artist to volunteer ratio no worse than 1/1.  I begged for a double this year, but no luck (but they did move me to a corner).  By far the best Dollar return for time and effort invested that we do.  Can you tell I LOVE the show?  It's also great on the resume.  Apply for the Tent circle, probably the best you can hope for, for your first year there.....

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