I’m new to the world of art fairs so forgive me if this is a silly question...if I decline an invitation to attend an art show, particularly a prestigious one like State Street for example, is there a chance that I’ll be blacklisted from future shows? I have been accepted into the above and also Arts & Apples this year for my contemporary 2D Mixed Media. I’d be driving all the way from Southwest Florida, however, and haven’t decided if I should invest the money for the two shows. That being said, I don’t want to be prevented from participating in the future. Any advice or insights would be appreciated!
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I apply to a particular show every year for six years as a backup show. They accept me every time. I have declined every year but one. However, I feel another show I have applied to every year for the last five years and I declined the first year and now I have been rejected or wait listed ever year since. So who knows what happens in the world of show management. I’m sure they don’t really have a black list at least I hope they don’t.
Thanks, Robbie!
The answer should be no. It seems to me that being a #2 or #3 backup show option is a nice problem for a show to have. That plan B show just collected a $35 application fee from and artist that otherwise wouldn't even apply. And all they have to do to earn the money is email the waitlist artist. That's good work if you can get it. Shows make alot of money from those application fees. A show director should know this.
Also, It seems to me that it would be illegal to blackball an artist for declining a show invite within the the time frame that the show mandates in its rules. That is fairness as defined by the show. If they blackball you, and don't tell you, while still charging you future application fees for a show that you have no chance to jury into, might be criminal fraud.
That said, here are some experiences that I have had. I declined an invite to a long running regional art festival a few years ago. The show director sent me a nasty email, chastising me for "wasting his time" by declining the show. I didn't respond to his email nor did I ever apply again. I have a hunch I would be juried out of future shows.
Heres another one. I was accepted into my plan B show. They demanded booth fee payment before the plan A show emailed its jury results. My plan A show was a top 5 ranked national show. So I called the show promoter and told her my situation. She was very nice and said it was not a problem since I called her and told her my reason, and that she would hold my spot for 2 weeks. She asked that I notify her when I got my Plan A show jury results.
I then asked her the question. Would she blackball an artist for declining her show without giving a reason? She said that there was a "grey area" there, and that she likley would reject an artist in a future year for declining and invite if they didn't tell her their reason. I didn't mention criminal fraud or the ethics of stealing from artists. I just said, "good to know."
Still, I have rejected a quality regional show for the last four straight years, and have been invited each year. So even though there is no transparency, I think most shows are ethical in this regard. At least I hope they are because sometimes you have to have a backup plan.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply. It seems communication may be the key....
Depends on the show. There is one show that I know of where everyone says don't reject them, you will never get back in. I think it is stupid if this is true, but I am sure it exists. You effectively gave them free money and all they need to do is grab the next name on the wait list.
Thanks, Steve!
No. Just like when you get rejected, you're not blacklisting them from getting your future applications. (joke but true)
Many artists apply to all four Ann Arbor shows and choose to do one from which ever they get accepted to.
Many artists apply to multiple shows on a weekend to make sure they have a show that weekend. Then they do which ever is what they consider the better show if they get into more than one.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thanks, Larry! I appreciate the quick response.