Hi Friends.....
Call me crazy, but I am in the very early stages of conceptualizing starting a fine art and craft show in my local area. We have a very good response to art here, as many know from the Belleville, IL Art on The Square. Anyway, as I am planning, researching and gathering data, I have some ideas that I would like to put forth and am open to feedback from fellow artists. Here are some early thoughts...
1. Autumn show, held in September or October, preferably indoors.
2. Totally non-profit show. I am doing it for the art and the artists only! (more on that later)
3. $20.00 jury fee.
4. Booth fee not to exceed $200-250.
5. Saturday/Sunday or Friday/Saturday (2 days max)
6. Set up the day before the show or morning of, artist's choice.
7. Heavily promoted through social media, print, radio and local businesses (will depend on costs).
8. Some kind of artists' dinner or food delivered to booths once each day (complimentary, even if I have to prepare it myself).
9. No distraction factor. Focus solely on the art and the artists
10. No busy sell
11. No auctions, no pony rides, no talent shows, no psychic readings (yes, I was at a show last year that had a tarot card reader).
12. Awards in each category (ribbons, $$)
13. Food vendors that are appropriate (no kettle korn, cotton candy or carnival type fare).
14. Sponsors that are appropriate to art
15. Working artists as jurors and judges
The list will, I am sure, get much longer. My reason for attempting this is with all of the challenges artists have faced economically over the last several years, and all of the gouging that we have encountered with shows raising prices and trying to squeeze as much money out of us as possible, is it remotely possible to produce a show that is not overly expensive, with the amenities that so many of us want? Can this be done in today's economic climate? Is it possible to produce a good, artist friendly "dream show?" If you believe it is, please comment on what you would like to see in this still conceptual "dream show" and it may happen in the O'Fallon/Belleville, IL area in 2016. Or, if you think that a show like this is not possible today, please share why you feel that way! Thanks much!!
Comments
It looks like her art fair will not be happening..too bad such creative pieces
I think that you have to factor in some payment for yourself, at least down the road. I know of a show that donates the gate to a local charity, but the table fees go to costs and, presumably, some financial reward for the work involved. BTW, that show is held in a community college gym, which works out pretty well, even though pipe & drape is not available.
I agree, purchase awards are a great idea.
Since your show would be a first year show, to help gain interest from both the better artists as well as your community, have purchase awards. Preselling thousands of dollars of art will generate a wonderful atmosphere for both patrons and artists.
And a good website is very helpful. A show I might not have gone to has turned into a must go when I find artists with interesting work.
Elle...I believe it is a fantastic idea and most certainly a monumental task to get started. I am sure a book could be written about starting an art fair. Keeping it running successfully will probably be an even greater task...but I have great faith that you could accomplish it.. No doubt, many artists including Carol and I would apply.
I wouldn't do Fri/Sat. Those artists who do have jobs through the week have to use another vacation day since it starts on a work day. Plus Sunday is usually my best day with be backers from Saturday.
Good booth fee range.
I didn't see the number of artists you're hoping for. I wouldn't guess too many especially if you're making food for everyone! ;)
Skip the food, even the artist dinner. Have the show in an area where there are local restaurants and partner with them to provide free delivery to the artists. You will get the restaurant buy-in and save a lot of money. I'm also thinking, skip the awards. I've been doing a lot of non-award shows lately and it is so less stressful. A fellow artist saw this in a prospectus once - 11 awards will be given which means 11 of you will be happy with the judging.
Hi Ellie~You have the SMARTS & PERSONALITY to make this happen, & even better~YOU'RE AN ARTIST! Artists' make the BEST Promoters from my past experience in working with them, & keep a POSITIVE~we need MORE OF YOU! I like the idea of customers bringing canned food & around & in a lovely cornucopia made out of "something ARTSY" since you said an Autumn show. Years ago Harvest Festival (out of California) did that at the Mpls. Convention Center, & it was quite nice. I also like the idea of asking each Artist to donate something or $ for a raffle with free Art give-aways (to keep people THERE every hour). Also I think if you start to have a show in conjunction with-----------ANYTHING----------it will cheapen & bring down the show FAST! Remember~You don't just need ALOT of customers, but FOCUSTED ones coming for ART! Again~You'll Do GREAT~I'm SURE. Hey, all the Artists could sign this cornucopia, & you could raffle or sell that too~what a treasure that would be~LOL!
I just did a blog this week encouraging Artist to at least THINK about promoting a show as there are OBVIOUSLY MORE ARTISTS & CRAFTERS needing to sell their wares & follow their dreams than the amount of Fairs out there! GO GIRL!
Hi Elle, I went into our first year of The Cotton South with a business background and similar aspirations and intentions. And to be honest, I was able to maintain most of the passion and engagement ideals. But many of Mark Loebs' points above, and many others, opened my eyes to the festival reality. See yourself as a Promoter or not, you will be a Promoter and the primary messenger for your vision. That vision won't cover the costs that you will very quickly have to shoulder. Maintain low application and booth fees to placate fellow artists and you'll find you don't have enough money to adequately advertise the show. Remember that new shows have to offer something extra or different to get noticed. Be realistic in your expectations and you'll likely be successful. T
I think I'm trying to do what you are doing only in Shipshewana,Indiana . Just because people are saying they would like to see more art in the area does not mean they are going to buy it. I have been working on the Shipshewana Art Festival for a year now and have to say it just keeps looking better . For a first time really good show to succeed you need buyers and lots of buyers and the way to get those buyers to town is to have a one of a kind event that does not bore everybody before they get thru the first row. Also I think music does keep people milling around .
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