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We're all scrambling to help one another in this business as we know how tenuous many people's incomes are. Many thanks to Mark Loeb of metro Detroit's Integrity Shows for developing these workshops.

IntegrityShows.com

Please stop blaming me for not being ready for this mess we are in.

I had made some posts in the past and some in my group life as an art fair artist. Some comments that I read had may me think. Having booth fee return is great but I looking at how the calendar is shaping up and how would manage next year if things keep going the way they are going.

I always say there are a few categories of artists doing the shows: sole income comes from the shows; art shows are part of the main but it has other arts-related outlets to create income; the artists spouse works and shows are 50% of the household income; artists spouse works and the art show is just extra income or vacation money; artists that retire and use the show income as extra but not mandatory, I am forgetting some other category. Why it does matter because depending on what category you fall you may get income from the government faster than others. I personally do not think I gonna get any government help other than 1200.

Some people that are clear that support the President had to say that you need to have 6 months of savings. While is not a red or blue thing I think you should aim to do that. If you follow me you know that is almost impossible for me to have. I know a lot of people that are in the same vote or worst. Now let's say you have it now what does that mean. The most artist only work 8 months of the year, let me explain that. Northern artists if they do not go to Florida they may not start doing shows until April and most likely they had to stop doing shows at the best case in December. So that is five months with no income. So if you have six months of savings at this point you only have money until May. If you are doing in shows in Florida like me you may have income until February because most shows got cancel in March and April. Even I only do one show in March or April these are just holding me until May when my season starts. During this period I am paying booth and jury fees.

So far I had not had in March or April where intake is greater than the outtake. Basically, if I am even by April I am counting my blessings. I am assuming most artists with art show as the only source of income are in the same boat. May comes around depending on what shows you are doing you May get one good, one bad and one great show. Basically, by July you are hoping to be catch up with bills and start seeing the buffer for those months with no shows go up. The month of August is the month that put the most money into the savings. September and October things slow down and little extra income comes. Shows in southern areas in October, November and December are usually just cash flow. If you live in the northern states IHMO is not worth traveling to Florida or Arizona for shows late in the year especially with the election going on.

This year I was looking forward since last year was my best year in a while. I finally expend money on my display and was looking forward to Fort Worth. In March before the crisis happens I overspend because the way that year was shaping even with some coronavirus cases started to show up (The administration should be able to handle the problem if it arises). I was man I should not but if I wait until closer to the show I may not be ready and then the following show is two weeks later let's be positive and keep moving forward he can not screw up himself because of he is so selfish that won’t ket this stop his reelection.

With getting 20 to 30 hours of art installation you better fix the issues in van storage and everything that you could not do last year because you were still recovering from the scam. Now, crisis-hit IL and now I am looking at my dining room with all my work. Orders in the lab to be ship or in process. I am well you have it so hopefully by May we go back to do shows, wait June or wait in July or wait for August or wait for nothing this year.

There is a great possibility that the art show won’t come back until the sports arenas are allowed to let people in. What happens if that goes until the end of 2021? I stop think you you still have the art installation business. When the restaurants close my hours drop to zero to 10 hours a week. The savings account would only hold me a month after no income coming. Once again I am thinking I do not know if the unemployment benefits will kick in or if I will qualify since I am sole proprietor, I do not if any of the grants will come my way, because of the scam my credit is the toilet so no business loan, etc. I am looking at this I am wondering what I can do. I have been able to operate because the cash flow never stops and I been working on cash on hand only for two years and counting because of the scam not having credit cards it seems like a blessing right now. Friends tell me to do online sales. I know before the crisis the sales were none or slim from the website. I am finally was getting 10 visits per day but no sales. So I am asking myself what was the point of working so hard. I not waiting for the government to save me but I also do not want the government to put me on the street and become homeless.

I know conservative wants states to have more control. This is a national problem. This problem had shown the need to medicare for all or version where you can add to basic health insurance. This problem should have never got to this point. This is worst administration and is responsible for the mess we are in. People still defend him and expecting them to still do it even if they are dying while he is a bunker. People can not get close to him or Pence with passing temperature check. He still playing this down, not doing what should be done and blaming others. He hoping that democrats died and media other than FOX News died in the process. Still with everything going on they still making the federal government weaker. Really at this pace, we won’t have a nation.

If you think that people are responsible and they should be able to handle this you are not living in the real world. This a problem that was created by a virus that we knew about it in December and was play down over and over. Now Fox, right wing media companies and Trump say that they did not play down. The country is basically in lockdown because of Trump's actions, FOX News & right-wing media do not sound the alarm. Still are not doing the stay at home orders. There is no vaccine. We are not testing everybody going around to know who is healthy or not. It is clear that only big companies is they care. This had been using to make money and not help the people.

I know we will get out of the mess but the states to recover faster will be CA, Oregon, Washington, IL, New York and Texas the rest good luck. I will say it again we need to elect people that care about the country not them and that is not Trump. My hope we get a Democrat President to once again fix the mess the Republican president put us in. Of course, while we recover they will blame the democrat president for the problem and once again they forgot how we got here in the first place. Let's see what the silent majority keeps saying about the liberals and so call lazy and stupid color people.

Yes, I feel that this year when is over I only will be happy is a Democrat is coming into office. If we get another four years of him we won't be here when 2024 rolls around.

So please stop blaming me for something that everybody is facing and we all know it can last two years and nobody while being able to handle it.

https://heavy.com/news/2020/04/apply-payroll-protection-program-sba-covid-19/?

Larry Berman

http://BermanGraphics.com

412-401-8100

MONDAY, APRIL 6 - 1 PM ET

ArtFest Fort Myers under Executive Director Sharon McAllister's leadership, has initiated a plan to act as a clearinghouse to help artists interpret and access the financial services established under the new CARES Act. The law is meant to address the economic fallout of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Sharon is joined by professional accountant John Brodie of Comprehensive Accounting in metro Detroit.

John will be a meaningful participant for this podcast, not only because of his accounting background, but because he has been my accountant since 1980 and has advised us financially on our art fair business since then. He has seen the financial aspects of art fair artists lives first hand.

The CARES act includes SBA Economic Disaster loans and grants, a payroll protection plan and access to unemployment benefits to small businesses and individuals.  Some of its individual facets are SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, a Payroll Protection Plan and unemployment benefits.

What you will learn:

• how the act supports small businesses
• how and where to apply for the various programs
• who is eligible and what determines that eligibility

But mostly we invite your questions and will build the podcast around your concerns. Please put them in the comments below or email to me: connie@artfaircalendar.com

Click here to listen

call in with your questions during the podcast: 
(805) 243-1338

Find quick answers to your concerns on the ArtFest Fort Myers website.

NOTE: none of us are giving legal; tax; accounting; unemployment or similar advice. Contact your accountant and banker for your own situation. The final regulations have not yet been written and banks & unemployment offices are scrambling to get new benefits implemented. Patience will be needed.

A sobering fact: 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment last week.

September 12 & 13
Louisville, Kentucky
Waterfront Park, Big Four Bridge Lawn
200 Artists
Saturday 10am-7pm & Sunday 10am-5pm
Deadline: May 10

Notification date: May 20
Application fee: $25   Booth fee: $425-$650

The Big Four Arts Festival has been the most attended (40,000+) two-day event ever held at Waterfront Park on the Big Four Bridge Lawn. The annual festival, September 12 & 13, will be held on the lawn which consists of four acres of tree-lined walks overlooking the Ohio River, located at the base of the Walking Bridge. The B4 Walking Bridge has 25,000 people strolling  it each weekend. The Festival is a two-minute drive from downtown Louisville and draws patrons from Southern Indiana as well as Louisville.

Such was the overall success of the Festival, that Louisville's Convention & Visitors Bureau presented the Rose Award to the Festival for creating a NEW event that is bringing so much commerce to Louisville! Louisville's Festival is known for it's 200 juried artists, EZ in-out access, spacious booth layouts and many artist amenities. With a proven multi-media campaign we will produce record crowds again in 2020!

Artist Amenities and Benefits

• Free artist parking; 24-hour security
• Booth sitters; water delivery
• Light breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
• Negotiated discounts at nearby hotels
• Trolley Service to participating downtown hotels and surrounding downtown area
• Juried prize awards totaling $5,000
• E-Z In/Out access directly to booths
• 24-hour security on festival grounds
• Artists and their works promoted on the Big Four Festival website and Facebook page

Louisville Loves the Arts!

Apply: https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=7950

More information: https://bigfourbridgeartsfestival.com/
Contact: Lou Nunnelley, b4b@twc.com, (502) 435-7602

Do you need reliable logistical services to your booth at high-end contemporary art events across the country? Art in Motion specializes in shipping artists' freight to art and craft shows throughout the United States.

Johan Westenburg is the new owner of Art in Motion - a known quantity in the craft industry - since June of 2019. Being the long-time partner of the clothing designer Machteld Schrameyer, Johan knows the ins and outs of setting up and breaking down from Boston to San Francisco, from Lincoln Center to Sarasota, and all points in between.

The storage facility has been moved to Kentucky. The facility is very clean and set up for expansion to 15,000 sq.ft., as capacity grows. Art in Motion offers warehouse storage for short or long term needs. Our warehouse is dry and kept at room temperature. Only employees of Art in Motion and artists have access to the space. The belongings of every artist are kept off the ground with rugs in a separate clean area and mirrors protected in padded crates.

“I am really enthusiastic to step into a logistics and storage service that has served friends and colleagues who define the extraordinary American contemporary crafts movement. Josh has been a part of the craft and design scene for a long time and it is great to have found so many enthusiastic clients and promoters who have given me their trust.”

“Our American Craft universe is idiosyncratic; the needs of artisans are specialised and I am inspired to rise to the challenges of meeting those needs. Good service demands an ability to think like an artist; problem solving and the ability to improvise are imperative assets.”

Check out the site, including 2020 shows:

http://www.artmoves.biz/

Contact: (860) 964-9163

I have been lobbying Naples Downtown to get a refund on my booth fee after they cancelled the show. Here is a very arrogant email that I received today. Aimee Schlehr, the chairman wrote this extremely unprofessional letter to the artists who have been requesting a refund. Apparently they will refund my booth fee when funds become available, but they are black-balling me from ever participating in one of their art fairs because of my "breach" of contract. Here is her email:

Good Afternoon Artists:

I want to first say thank you for your patience.  This virus has not only affected your income immediately but also the art centers revenue.  We had to cancel our major fundraiser, classes and workshops, and the downtown show, all funding sources we needed to survive the summer. I have spent the last two weeks laying off staff, working with creditors, vendors and our board of directors to stabilize the organization for the time being. We are not funded by a city, county, state or national government or a chamber of commerce.  The outdoor shows fund the operations of the art center so I, like you, have been combing funding opportunities and grants opportunities.  I am happy to see there are a generous amount of grant opportunities for artists to apply for help, far more than there are for arts organizations.  I hope all of you are taking advantage of these grants and funding sources.

I also want to take this time to let you know how awful I think it is that artists would spew such hatred at an employee who was simply doing her job within her parameters, she is not the decision maker for the organization.  Maureen works tirelessly to ensure every artists has the opportunity to be successful in our shows and to take out anger on her is unprofessional and childlike.

That being said, Naples Art is a respected non-profit organization and small business dedicated to treating artists as professional business people. Each small business needs to make decisions that best fit their needs. We always put our reputation first and honor all contracts we have with vendors, artists and service providers.  We expect the same in return. By applying to the Naples Downtown Art Show, it was assumed that you read the terms listed in the prospectus, including the cancelation policy.  When you submitted your application it was with the understanding that you agreed to the terms and would abide by the policies outlined.  Our cancelation policy clearly stated “ In the event that the “Show” is interrupted or prevented without contributory fault or negligence of either party because of war, act of God, fire, national or local calamity, riot or civil disorder, any act or regulation of public authorities, or any unforeseen occurrence or labor dispute, including strike or lockout of employees, then obligations of the parties shall be suspended to the extent made necessary, but no refund shall be due or payable to the artist from the Naples Art for any fees paid. Neither the Artist nor the “Show” shall be liable to the other for any damages caused thereby.

The COVID-19 virus would fall under a national calamity (as defined in the dictionary- an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress), the CDC and WHO was recommending cancelling events with attendance of over 50 people. 

Therefore, requesting a refund of your booth fee is a breach of contract.  Naples Art chooses only to work with those who honor their word so in the future we will not be doing business with you.  We know there are promoters out there who will fill a show with whoever pays so I am sure you will have plenty of show opportunities in the future.

Your refund check is being processed, as funds become available to us we will be sending out checks.

We wish you the best and good luck,

Aimee

LIVE PODCAST - MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1 PM ET

Of course being an artist isn't a job, nor a vocation, its in your bones and defines who you are. Luckily we live in a country where there is room to change and the legal means of doing so. Start out as an engineer, a pot dealer, a social worker, a biologist and one day you're standing in a tent in a park in Alabama and people are not only handing you compliments on your work but money too. Many people in this business say "I don't know how to do anything else, no one would hire me."

Meet Jack Stoddart known these days as someone who is one of the "wrong people doing the right thing." Hippie Jack traveled (family in tow - wife Lynne and 4 kids) to art fairs for many years. Presently he is a music festival producer on his central Tennessee farm. The Stoddart kids are showing work at art fairs themselves these days. Just like everyone else their lives have been upended by Covid-19. No concerts, no art fairs. What happens next?

We talk about when things come crashing down and tell stories about what he believes are the important things, including serving the under-served people of Appalachia with fairness, dignity, and compassion. Ideas for the long run.

We hope you will call in with your stories: 805-243-1338

There is help for that.

This message is from Carroll Swayze, a printmaker from Florida who has been involved with the NAIA, an artists support organization since its inception in the 1990's. 

I am the Communications Coordinator of the NAIA (National Association of Independent Artists) and I am sending a letter for you to any cancelled show that is not refunding show fees explaining why they need to return your money. If you have a show that is not refunding your show fee please send me your cancellation letter by email and I will try to get your money back for you. If you have the directors name and email that would help me time wise too.

Send to: SwayzeArt@msn.com

Rather than trying to follow the ever-growing list of cancellations, I was wondering if any art fairs anywhere in the country are still actually being held.

According to Zapplication's calendar, there are still uncanceled art fairs scheduled for this weekend.  Is that for real?

Anybody gearing up to participate in an art fair this weekend?  Next weekend?

In the interest of keeping our imaginations going in these dark and dreary times I'm copying an email I received because of the cool ideas therein ... seems we don't have to keep doing the same thing over and over again.

BERKELEY, CALIF.: WWW.VISITBERKELEY.COM
The city has deployed over 25 handwashing stations around the city, primarily giving homeless citizens a way to clean up and take steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: WWW.CHARLOTTESGOTALOT.COM
It’s all about supporting local businesses, with a dedicated webpage encouraging denizens who are foodies, families, fitness fans, and fundraisers to remain active in the community. Think of it as the F-words that you can say without ruffling any feathers. The site details the offers, but essentially there are four key takeaways.
- The city encourages taking out food, tipping, and buying gift cards from local vendors.
- It shares entertainment options for families sheltering inside, including live stream events like bingo and science experiments.
- It urges fitness fans to attend virtual yoga and dance classes.
- It implores citizens to fundraise and give back, donating blood, food products, and money to charities citywide.

Take a look at the events listed on Charlotte’s site and let’s chat about how to tell this story now as Charlotte and the rest of the country is rapidly adapting to the coronavirus crisis.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.: WWW.CHATTANOOGAFUN.COM
ConnectChatt: The Chattanooga Tourism Co. has launched Connect Chatt to bring people together digitally in Chattanooga and across the world who are practicing social distancing. The team will be sharing the community’s virtual experiences through social media using the hashtag #ConnectChatt and online at ChattanoogaFun.com/Connect. The social posts will include a way in which everyone can support Chattanoogans through virtual tipping, buying season passes, ordering takeout, etc. The ConnectChatt virtual experience series kicked off on St. Patrick’s Day with a live performance from Stringer’s Ridge Band, which played Irish tunes from home via Facebook Live. Their virtual tip jar generated about as much as a normal gig, and they played to more than 10,000 people. Yesterday, the Tennessee Aquarium and Ruby Falls gave live tours.

Service Industry donations: A local Chattanoogan created a website to bring a little extra support to the city’s service industry professionals, whose livelihoods are being affected by restaurant closures. The site encourages community members to consider tipping a local service industry worker through Venmo or Cash App. When the site is refreshed it shows a new person to support.

The Mustang Express: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy takes student meals on the road amid coronavirus concerns - Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, the all-girls public charter school in Hamilton County, has taken student meals on the road. The school, which serves students in grades 6 through 12 from predominantly low-income neighborhoods in Chattanooga, launched the "Mustang Express" Thursday morning as schools across the state find ways to support students and families while they are closed due to COVID-19 concerns. Link to article here.

CINCINNATI, OHIO: WWW.CINCINNATIUSA.COM
The Adult Version of An Ice Cream Truck: Madtree Brewing Co. is bringing food to the streets of the Queen City to help keep spirits high in the city and assist in feeding all of those who must stay quarantined. Their draft truck will be providing curbside pizza and beer from 11am – 7pm. For an update on times & locations, please click here: https://www.madtreebrewing.com/news/the-beer-truck

Staying Calm with Mindful Music Moments: ArtsWave is launching Mindful Music Moments, a partnership created by the Well in partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera. Members of the public can sign up for a free 10-week subscription to Mindful Music Moments, brief daily combinations of meditation and music. Mindful Music Moments is one of more than 100 projects and organizations funded through ArtsWave each year

Karrikin Begins Sanitizer Production: Karrikin Spirits Company’s master distillers are getting to work to produce sanitizer based on ingredients and recommendations from the World Health Organization. Produced slightly above the recommended alcohol percentage, it’s giving you another weapon against fighting viruses and bacteria. Secondly, if you stop by for a bottle of hand sanitizer, you’re directly supporting the workers, with 100% of proceeds from the sales of hand sanitizer is being used to support this staff that is so vital to our success as a business. Look for an announcement soon on our Facebook and Instagram pages for how and where you can purchase a $3 bottle of Cincinnati.

The LEE Initiative will expand its reach to Cincinnati in partnership with Mita's Restaurant:Starting on March 19th, Mita's Restaurant will transform into a relief center for any restaurant worker who has been laid off or has had a significant reduction in hours and/or pay. With the help of Makers Mark, the restaurant is offering help for those in dire need of food and supplies. Each night, it will pack hundreds of to-go dinners that will be offered to recently unemployed restaurant workers. Dinners are offered on a first come first serve basis. Mita’s is also stocking supplies for those in need: diapers, baby food, non-perishable canned foods and cereals, toilet paper when available, paper towels, notebooks and pencils, aspirin and more. For more information, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/mitascincinnati/

LONG BEACH, CALIF.: WWW.VISITLONGBEACH.COM
The city is looking to protect its homeless community, which is vulnerable to the disease and its effects. Handwashing stations and shelters are just a few of the initiatives that the city is funding in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Local restaurants are also transforming into corner stores to help feed the population while table service has ceased. Breweries are baking goods and restaurants are rebranding as markets to help locals who would otherwise be waiting in long lines at the supermarkets.

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA.: WWW.VISITLOUDOUN.ORG
Scott and Becky Harris at Catoctin Creek Distillery in Loudoun County, Virginia, are working with local authorities to create FDA-approved hand sanitizer. It’s a process that helps local communities, but also keeps their distillery afloat as restaurant orders for their whiskey begin to plummet.

LOUISVILLE, KY.: WWW.GOTOLOUISVILLE.COM
Forget bourbon, Louisville is focusing on hand sanitizer. Rabbit Hole Distillery is one of many spirits manufacturers nationwide who are pivoting from drinks to hand gels, helping to combat the spread of coronavirus while also keeping their employees busy

MIAMI, FLA.: WWW.MIAMIANDBEACHES.COM
The United Way launched a fund for families and small businesses hurting from coronavirus, providing them with products and assistance for emergency relief.

While most tourism facilities are closed, it’s a prime moment for professional development for tourism workers. During the coronavirus pandemic, hospitality students and faculty adapt, learn 'to always be prepared'. Find the latest FIU information about the coronavirus on the university's resource page. 

OAKLAND, CALIF.: WWW.VISITOAKLAND.COM
Two Oakland Hotels will open their doors to house homeless people. While many individuals are sheltering in place, those without shelter are doing the best they can. To help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading through the homeless population, the city is working with two hotels to offers stays of up to three months, a fantastic way to use tourism facilities that aren’t otherwise being used.

SEATTLE, WASH.: WWW.VISITSEATTLE.ORG
The city of Seattle giving out grocery vouchers to families, up to $800 per family. The distributions will total some 5 million dollars and will help families where parents have lost jobs because of coronavirus closures.

ST. LOUIS, MO.: WWW.EXPLORESTLOUIS.COM
For those stuck inside, the St. Louis Zoo has launched stlzootube to let viewers tune in from home and see what’s happening inside the city’s zoo. It’s a great alternative to Netflix! Furthermore, although the Zoo may be closed to the public, its team wants to #BringTheStlZooToYou! Their first priority is the care and well-being of our animals, but when they can, they will be happy to add something fun & positive to your newsfeed! They also did a penguin tour on social media! It’s not just the zoo: St. Louis Aquarium hosted a morning breakfast event with their baby sloth Coconut, so look for more in the future.

CHIARA PERETTI

Senior Account Executive

DEVELOPMENT COUNSELLORS INTERNATIONAL

The Leader in Marketing Places

New York | Denver | Los Angeles | Toronto

215 Park Avenue South, 14th Floor  

New York, NY 10003

T 212.444.7104 C 917.655.2184

E chiara.peretti@aboutdci.com

July 25 & 26

The Stony Creek Art Fair is in a beautiful setting next to a lake.  The large parking lot is within 100 feet. Close to large homes and wealthy patrons, this show should be good for most price points.  

Stony Creek is a popular park in northern Oakland County, Michigan.  Near Rochester, Birmingham and other high-income cities.  Millions of people visit the park annually. 

The show offers dedicated parking for artists and patrons adjacent to the event. We will limit the show to 75 booths. Our marketing program is designed to attract qualified high-end art collectors.  

https://www.integrityshows.com/our-events

MONDAY - MARCH 23 - 1 PM ET

How are you feeling? I am totally enervated and concerned about the future of art festivals, not only in the short term but in the long run. I'm hearing from artists and reading comments on ArtFairInsiders.com about "what next?" and I have to take some action. This exhaustion leads down a dire path. My answer: let's talk.

On this podcast art show directors will come together to discuss cancellations, refunds, rescheduling and the disruption to our business and what they are doing to keep their events and artists income alive for another day.

The first responders to our call for a panel, and who will be joining us:

Karen Delhey, Executive Director, The Guild of Artists & Artisans (Ann Arbor); Anne Curran, Executive Director, Armonk Outdoor Art Show (Armonk, NY); Jean Hungiville, President/CEO, Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce (FL); Amy Amdur, CEO and President Amdur Productions (Chicago area) and Mark Loeb of Integrity Shows (metro Detroit). 

The jumping off point from my inbox:

"I live in Massachusetts and do shows throughout the northeast, from Vermont to South Jersey, NY and the coast line of NJ, Ct, RI, NY etc. shows are start to cancel. Some are right on target with refunding the booth fees, some wasn't to reschedule (& we all know that's the kiss of death to shows) and some, are unscrupulously not refunding any money. I would love to hear from those promoters who are choosing to refund, reschedule, & run as to their thoughts."

We would love to have other show directors call in with their comments on the topic. Here's the #: (805) 243-1338.

(As always this will be recorded live and will also be downloadable forever from ArtFairRadio.com)

Click here to listen: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2020/03/23/show-organizers-coronavirus--what-do-you-do

Please put your questions in the comments below. There is SO much to discuss and we'll try to hit the most important issues. Let's help each other to a brighter day. 

Hi,

Please encourage the various art fairs that are canceling to put on a virtual art fair. They can use their site to have patrons drop down as they do on google maps to the show site and look at the booth slide of each artist in the show. upon clicking on the image of the booth slide they get to that artist's website to shop for art. The judge for awards can still hand out awards by doing the exact same thing that they always do nowadays. Judge from the website. Since the award judges come to the shows already knowing who will win awards from looking at the websites, they will just be doing the same as always.  The artists could use that money.