I see a number of shows extending deadlines. My take is that they did not meet their monetary projections for entry fees. I think thats a bunch of crap. Stick to your own deadlines and jury the artists that made the original deadline period! Promoters expect us to adhere to rules and they should as well.
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And both of these shows talk about the numbers of application being the best ever, the quality of the artists higher than ever, etc.
This is the shows patting themselves on the back. Maybe they can't count on us doing it for them.
Jacqueline Webster said:
I just got notification of a second show I've applied for extending its deadline, but now they're not extending the due date of the booth fees. That means it's down to a week between notification and fees being due. Eek. And both of these shows talk about the numbers of application being the best ever, the quality of the artists higher than ever, etc. Is this kind of talk just a feel-good sales pitch? I don't want to think ill of anyone, but this seems to be becoming a trend.
I just got notification of a second show I've applied for extending its deadline, but now they're not extending the due date of the booth fees. That means it's down to a week between notification and fees being due. Eek. And both of these shows talk about the numbers of application being the best ever, the quality of the artists higher than ever, etc. Is this kind of talk just a feel-good sales pitch? I don't want to think ill of anyone, but this seems to be becoming a trend.
True, I am not always lucky enough to get the notification from choice #1 before the deadline for choice #2. But when that does happen, if I stall on sending the second one, and am accepted to the first, I have saved myself a jury fee. The first tier shows generally have earlier deadlines, making this possible. Note I said “generally”.
What really gets me is when my 3rd choice backup has an early deadline! It means if I do get lucky later I’m going to be canceling.
You have a good point Linnea. Perhaps I did not think that through. Let me ask. Maybe I don't have or apply to that many shows, but I've never been in a position where a show I've applied to for a given weekend has excepted or rejected me before another deadline for application for that weekend. It seems like I always have to double apply at least for a weekend that I want. I've on occasion been accepted by a lesser show and then was able to wait a couple of weeks to see if the show I really wanted had accepted me before the booth fee was due on the first one.
As for getting into shows well, overall my rejection rate is 8 out of 10 shows and it matters not whether its first, second ,third or bottom of the barrel. Its been one big crap shoot for me.
Linnea Lahlum said:
I would also like to see more standardised time tables on zapp. Like all shows in July have requested applications by Feb 28 etc. I’m glad they don’t do that. Very glad. If all the shows in July, on the same weekend, had the same deadline, how would you apply to a backup? Sometime you get the notification for that first tier show before the deadline for your second choice. I rely on that. Otherwise it means shelling out even more in jury fees, some of which would turn out to be unnecessary. Of course if you always get in to first tier shows, maybe you wouldn’t need staggered deadlines.
All you need to do to keep track of things so you don’t forget is to create a good deadline list, adding to it as each app comes in, or shows up on ZAPP.
I would also like to see more standardised time tables on zapp. Like all shows in July have requested applications by Feb 28 etc.
I’m glad they don’t do that. Very glad. If all the shows in July, on the same weekend, had the same deadline, how would you apply to a backup? Sometime you get the notification for that first tier show before the deadline for your second choice. I rely on that. Otherwise it means shelling out even more in jury fees, some of which would turn out to be unnecessary. Of course if you always get in to first tier shows, maybe you wouldn’t need staggered deadlines.
All you need to do to keep track of things so you don’t forget is to create a good deadline list, adding to it as each app comes in, or shows up on ZAPP.
Oh Michelle. I can think of only one other reason to extend a deadline and that would be a mistake in the posting. I think quite a few promoters are pretty self serving as evidenced by too high booth fees and jury fees not to mention their lack of consideration of the artist at the fair.
I do agree with you about the very early request for applications for some fairs. I would also like to see more standardised time tables on zapp. Like all shows in July have requested applications by Feb 28 etc. It would make life allot easier for the artist to keep track of.
Also an artist friend told me of a show that he just attended where it was announced at the artists breakfast , that the posted prize moneys were to be donated to something and not given to the artist.
Michelle Sholund said:
I am leaning towards not enough people are applying - many artists are hurting monetarily so they are cutting out some shows - those shows could be the ones extending their deadlines. My beef are the shows that have a deadline of Jan. 31 and the show is in Nov. (for example), it kinda of seems silly especially if that the only show the promoter does. When I have a whole bunch of applications (with full payment) due between Jan - Feb., I just can't do them all, especially with some many upping their booth fees. My question is why do you feel a promoter is not "adhering" to the rules if they choose to extend a deadline? It is the promoters event at the end of the day. I'd be more upset if they raised the price after you signed the dotted line, said it was juried but ended up not being juried due to financial reasons, changed the date or location - those are examples of breaking the rules, in my opinion. If you have questions regarding extending deadlines, why not ask the promoters verses assuming the worst?
I know of one show that I applied to this year, that had three times as many applicants as spaces. They were one of the shows that extended deadlines. I can see no reason other than to make more money. That is when it upsets me.
As to applying early, yes it is hard to put all that money up front all at the same time, but I want to know back early, so I can plan which shows I am doing, and to make sure I have enough inventory.
I am leaning towards not enough people are applying - many artists are hurting monetarily so they are cutting out some shows - those shows could be the ones extending their deadlines. My beef are the shows that have a deadline of Jan. 31 and the show is in Nov. (for example), it kinda of seems silly especially if that the only show the promoter does. When I have a whole bunch of applications (with full payment) due between Jan - Feb., I just can't do them all, especially with some many upping their booth fees. My question is why do you feel a promoter is not "adhering" to the rules if they choose to extend a deadline? It is the promoters event at the end of the day. I'd be more upset if they raised the price after you signed the dotted line, said it was juried but ended up not being juried due to financial reasons, changed the date or location - those are examples of breaking the rules, in my opinion. If you have questions regarding extending deadlines, why not ask the promoters verses assuming the worst?
Either they want more money or they actually don't get enough artists to apply. One of my rules is to never do an art show where they are begging for artists.
Replies
This is the shows patting themselves on the back. Maybe they can't count on us doing it for them.
Jacqueline Webster said:
What really gets me is when my 3rd choice backup has an early deadline! It means if I do get lucky later I’m going to be canceling.
As for getting into shows well, overall my rejection rate is 8 out of 10 shows and it matters not whether its first, second ,third or bottom of the barrel. Its been one big crap shoot for me.
Linnea Lahlum said:
I’m glad they don’t do that. Very glad. If all the shows in July, on the same weekend, had the same deadline, how would you apply to a backup? Sometime you get the notification for that first tier show before the deadline for your second choice. I rely on that. Otherwise it means shelling out even more in jury fees, some of which would turn out to be unnecessary. Of course if you always get in to first tier shows, maybe you wouldn’t need staggered deadlines.
All you need to do to keep track of things so you don’t forget is to create a good deadline list, adding to it as each app comes in, or shows up on ZAPP.
I do agree with you about the very early request for applications for some fairs. I would also like to see more standardised time tables on zapp. Like all shows in July have requested applications by Feb 28 etc. It would make life allot easier for the artist to keep track of.
Also an artist friend told me of a show that he just attended where it was announced at the artists breakfast , that the posted prize moneys were to be donated to something and not given to the artist.
Michelle Sholund said:
As to applying early, yes it is hard to put all that money up front all at the same time, but I want to know back early, so I can plan which shows I am doing, and to make sure I have enough inventory.