Ep 017: Art Market and Show Applications: Tips and Tricks / by Jackie Sanders

How to Improve Your Show Application

Show applications can be a difficult part of selling your work, and you don’t always know why you aren’t getting into the shows when you apply. This discussion is great for artists who want to make sure that they put their best foot forward in show and event applications. Whether you are new to doing shows or have been exhibiting for a while, we discuss strategies to improve your show applications and get tips from folks that review applications.

This episode is a recording of a live panel Jackie and Adriana hosted in partnership with Triangle Artworks based in North Carolina.

 
 

Art Market and Show Applications: Tips and Tricks

What is the difference between a juried/unjuried show? How do shows choose their vendors? What is a blind jury?

  • A juried show means that your application will be presented and graded by a group of people. Once the accepted applicants are chosen, they are all notified at once

  • An unjuried show accepts applications on a first come first serve basis. Once all of the slots are accounted for, the application will close

  • A blind jury means that the group judging the applications will not be aware of any identifying information about the applicant (ie. No name, social media, etc.). 

  • Vendors are chosen based on who they think will be a good fit for the venue and target audience they are marketing to

  • Vendors will also be selected in order to curate the best overall experience for the visitors. This is achieved by a diverse range of vendors.

How can an artist know if a show is a good fit for them?

  • If possible, attend the show beforehand (this works great for monthly markets).

  • This will let you see the energy of the market, what type of audience it attracts, and the style of creators that have participated previously. Having this information will help you know if you are a good fit for the market in the future and help you curate your application with a collector of work that would best fit the attending audience. 

  • For example, you will need to factor in the target price range of the market you are attending. As a business many people have artwork that covers a wide range of price points. So if you are attending a show where most vendors are selling pieces that range between $5 and $200 but everything that you apply with is $500+, this might not be a good fit.

How important is an artist statement when you are looking at an application? 

  • A good description of the actual work is important- especially if the promoters can use this information in promotional posts for the market.

  • Although, comparatively, quality images may take a higher priority in your application, having a solid artist statement explaining what you do is key to letting others appreciate the technique and craftsmanship required to create the work that you do!

How important are photos when you are looking at an application? 

  • Good photos are essential for any application!

  • Judges want to know exactly what type of work they can expect to see in your booth if you are selected

  • You want your photos to be client, styled, and with a nice background!

  • Many markets may also require a good photo of your booth set up with your application. If you have no prior market experience, set up a mock booth set up in your yard and take photos. Then once accepted to your first exhibition be sure to take photos!

  • TIP: Do not have your name or business name in your photo. Many shows use a blind jury based on your photos and they will be very difficult to judge if they need to cover up your watermark on every photo.

How important is a social media or web presence for you in choosing artists for a show?

  • Having social media accounts, at the very least Instagram and Facebook, is very important

  • You don’t need to have a huge following (but that may help)

  • The biggest focus should be on great photographs of your work 

Why do shows charge application fees? Booth fees? What are they used for? 

  • Application fees are used to cover the cost of the event, rentals, event insurance, and pay the judges for their time

  • Booth fees are an additional charge that may be included for larger shows once you are accepted to cover additional event expenses

Why do shows ask for your sales tax number? Why do you need one and how do you get one? 

  • Legally, many markets have to ask for your sales tax ID number

  • They are not difficult to get but they do take time and are necessary for becoming a legitimate business

  • The appropriate links for resources are included below.

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

Is a particular type of insurance ever required to sell at markets?

  • Additional insurance is not typical but different shows may have different requirements.

  • If additional insurance is required, this will be noted in their application.

How much inventory should you have for a market?

  • This will vary for everyone but you want to bring enough inventory so you do not sell out. As great as it may sound, no one wants to be left with an empty table at the end of the day. If you are, this means that you either did not bring enough pieces or the pieces that you did bring were not priced appropriately.

  • For most, a great market means selling 30-40% of what you brought.

Can markets include watermarks to protect the artist? Or should the artist submit their images with them if they think they will be used for promotional material

  • Watermarks are not a typical standard practice anymore because they visually disrupt the larger marketing goal for the market. Typically, if used on the market’s social media platforms, you will be tagged in the image or in the caption for credit. Afterall, markets were created to celebrate artists!

  • Many markets will include a disclaimer in their application process if they will use your images for marketing purposes. However, you should assume that any images that you include in your application can be used for marketing efforts for the larger event (especially if you have great photos!)

  • If you wish to not have your images included in marketing material you can contact the organizer directly (after you are accepted) through email and make this request.

Should fine artists focus on only "fine art markets"

  • Fine art markets are highly competitive, have a higher entry and booth fee, and often have more rigid set up requirements such as specific table sizes, tents, and wall systems.

  • If you are just dipping your toes into the art market experience, you may want to start with smaller, more general markets

  • This will give you the time and experience to fine tune your booth set up and invest in the table, tent and walls often required for fine art markets

  • You can think about markets as experiences where you slowly grow and move up in scale

ADVICE FROM THE PANELISTS

What advice do you have for artists applying to their first show?

  • Pick shows to apply to that are a good fit for you!

  • Have all contact info on your cards including email so visitors and undercover show runners can contact you

What advice do you have for artists at the show?

  • Sell the stuff you got in with

  • Be there and be a pro

  • Do not pack up early

  • Have fun and be social! Build relationships with guests and fellow artists and makers. Even if sales are not as high as you expect (for reasons outside of your control) there are still several networking benefits to being at a market

 
TAW logo.JPG
 

Thank you Triangle Artworks for facilitating this discussion and the panelists, Lindsey Chester and Jeannie Steck, for your generous insight into the market application process! 

Lindsey Chester and Jeannie Steck are both members of the Market Runners Forum and show jurists with over 30 years of experience on selection committees. 

Triangle ArtWorks is a nonprofit organization working to provide services, support, and professional development for the arts sector across all artistic disciplines in all five counties of the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Links and Resources

 
 

Panelist, Lindsey Chester:

Triangle ArtWorks:

Panelist, Jeannie Steck:

NC Department of Revenue

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