This is Kathy Coons writing, not Don. I am standing on my soapbox!
We were at the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, KS last weekend. As bored artists are wont to do, conversations ensued. The favorite topic is of course, "Why can't I get into shows anymore?" Well, the conjecture seemed to revolve around, "It's Zapplications fault!" There is a rumor (I call it a conspiracy theory) that Zapp offers shows the opportunity to have Zapp jury the show for them. They pay extra for this service and that the bigger shows do this, i.e. Cherry Creek, St. Louis, etc...This presents a very real chance for unfair bias, or vendetta's against certain artists or styles. This is why established artists are not getting accepted into shows that they routinely or at least occasionally used to be invited to.
Does anyone have any solid evidence for this? And why would a show do this? More importantly, Why would Zapp risk their reputation by doing this? I guess it could cut down on the promoters expenses by not finding, bringing in jurors, housing and feeding them. But it seems like the shows would want to change up jurors every year, and have a choice in who picked their shows.
I can imagine that this "jury" would get really tired of seeing the same images, over and over. They would be inclined to say, "Seen it, been there, done that, rejected."
So, if this is the case, do we need to get a new body of work images as well as a new booth slide every year! It is quite a challenge to come up with a new set of jury quality work, have the pieces professionally photographed and go to the expense of framing them. And then finding a place and appropriate light to set up your entire display, set it up, photograph it, tear it all down, pack it up again. Hey folks, many of us are retirement age. This is a lot to ask of a greying population of artists!
Why do the applications rarely tell artists who the jurors are? I think that is a fair question. Why would a traditional painter apply to a show with only contemporary museum quality jurors? I would think shows would want one experienced art fair artist on their jury. Don't they realize that the reason shows are in business is to provide the public and the artists a chance to meet and buy art goods for their home? Most people want a good mix of art to choose from. Not all Realism or Nonobjective art.
So, has anyone else heard of this?? Anyone have any proof?? If it's not true, then we should quit speculating. If it is true we should be uproarious with our hearty disapproval.
Comments
Thanks for posting that, Brian.
From the Zapp Website "Myths" FAQS:
ZAPP® pre-juries my artwork.
ZAPP® controls the environment for each jury.
In an effort to ensure continued professionalism in the field, the ZAPP® team offers recommendations for professional jury settings. ZAPP® does not, however, dictate specific standards for the jury environment. Artists should contact events directly to discuss their policies on jurying methods and image viewing specifications.
I have not been accepted to any ZAPP® shows, only to non-ZAPP® shows. ZAPP® must be doing something...
Artists are not getting into shows because there are too many artists on ZAPP®.
ZAPP® is owned and operated by an evil, greedy group.
The ZAPP® system is a tool that has been - and continues to be - developed based on advice received from both artists and art fair administrators. The ZAPP® system does not make policy decisions about the administration of art fairs. Rather, ZAPP® is a Web-based tool that administrators and artists can utilize in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Don't forget Art in the High Desert.
But that's not part of a ZAPP rumor thread.
Larry Berman
I am with you on this, Lawrence. Transparency on all levels seems only fair. We've had several shows held up as good examples of this and this is an issue artists should continue to press. Exposure of events that do not treat their applicants with respect should be noted as well. Of course shows have the information and keep track of scores -- what are they doing if not? Pulling names out of hats?
Shows that I know of that have been lauded for this transparency include Krasl Art Fair, Broad Ripple Art Fair, St. Louis Art Fair and Des Moines. I'd be happy to list more -- send me their names. Let us recognize the events that know artists are their clients and respect them.
Connie, you posed 'why would a show want to hand this process over to strangers?" Hello? First, on average, shows go from having 300 applications for 100 openings to 1,000 applications for 100 openings. At an average of $30, the difference is $21,000. The show/promoters have hit a money making machine that seems to have no finish. So what if Zapp juries?! Is the process any more hidden than any other shows that may not use Zapp? I have asked shows that I have received rejections from A) How many openings were there for my classification? B) In my classification, approximately what position was I in? C) The credentials of the judges?- mind you, no names, just what qualifies them to judge a variety of art? You wouldn't believe the answers I have received. Several shows have been good at providing me the information (afterall, I paid for a service, what was the result?) while others treated me with disdain-"we never give out that information" "I am sorry, we do not keep track of scores" " Our judges are volunteers and they each use their own parameters". So, as an artist, how are we juried? I think that shows need to tell you in advance, what information they will share with you in exchange for the "service" they provide. What do you think?
I am really happy to hear the real scoop. I posted this because I thought it was a conspiracy theory and I wanted to get the rumor quashed before it did real damage. Thanks for your quick response.
This is the 1st I've heard of it. Glad to know it's just a rumor.
First of all, Kathy, why would a show want to hand this process over to strangers? Shows rise and fall on their applicants and the quality of the work at their shows. What would be the advantage of having Zapp do this for a show? I can't think of any. Any shows I've been involved with think this is one of the most interesting parts of running an event -- running the jury and selecting the artists to invite. It is exciting to see the applications come in and they events hope and pray for great work to be in their jury pool.
Some shows do list their jurors. A reason why they wouldn't is probably that they don't have their jury selected at the time the application is ready to be posted. Jurors drop out, schedules change and sometimes new people get chosen closer to jury time. I agree with you that an art fair artist makes an excellent addition to a jury panel and always recommend this. Who knows the business better and also who the imposters are?
I've been with some of the "big" show directors when they discussed and shared who they were seeking for their jury. Both of these theories are strictly urban legend.
P.S. But I really like the story about Larry starting Zapp and getting rich out of it. Hey, Larry, I could use a new car.
This rumor has been around since ZAPP first started. And a rumor is all it's ever been. I've actually called show directors that the rumor has been suggested that their show has used that service. And in past years I've spoken to the ZAPP people about it and other rumors I've heard.
My favorite rumor is that I started ZAPP and have been making a killing with all the high jury fees. I heard that one Saturday from an artist at Three Rivers.
I have heard the rumor three times in the last two weeks, probably from artists who were at the same show where you heard it. What I do find interesting is that some artists actually believe it. Can you think of a faster way to undermine the ZAPP system if it were to be true?
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100