Has anyone else noticed that Event Promoters are extending the application periods on events that would normally be filled long before the application period ends?
Have you experienced an event that has already been extended more than once at this point?
Are you as reluctant as I am to expend any more money before we are released from the stay at home orders? What about moving forward in 2021?
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There was one show I had applied for and got accepted for this past spring, in March. I have done it before and it's a 3 day show, more vintage than "art fair". I had to cancel in mid-February, I believe. My dad was not doing well and we expected things to continue to go downhill. He did end up passing March 4.
This show was scheduled for middle March, and ended up at the beginning of closures of big events. The orders came down on the first day of the show to have no big gatherings. This was before the "10 or less". They finished out Friday and closed it down. Artists and vendors had spent 2+ days setting up. The foot traffic on Friday was more like a Sunday, so I was told. No one made any money from what I can tell. A lot of effort on the promoters part and on the artists.
They have apps open for the falls show in October. I have applied and am accepted. Will see if it goes on. I am hoping that since we are in south Louisiana that our warm weather, which has already started, will help shut down any more infections.
Barry stated:
"Nobody is applying until they know there is going to be a show. Even more so, if you applied and got in, nobody is going to pay the booth fee until closer to the event."
I agree that nobody is applying until they know there is going to be a show. I am personally reluctant to apply to several upcoming shows at 30-45 dollars jury fee per each application. That could amount to quit a bit of money. And then hoping for a refund if the show cancels prematurely is asking a lot from show administrators.
I understand the need for jury fees and the costs involved for this process, but if the jury fee was temporarily waived, it would encourage a greater response from potential applicants. The fee could be added to the booth fee or collected upon acceptance.
These are tough times, and sometimes you have to think out of the box.
Just a thought...
Nobody is applying until they know there is going to be a show. Even more so, if you applied and got in, nobody is going to pay the booth fee until closer to the event. The later deadlines are good. It's the way it used to be. Shows just decided to set their deadlines earlier and earlier over the years.
The best thing to do is to not panic. It's a temporary break. It will be business as usual eventually, maybe sooner that you think. Hopefully, we will know in a couple of weeks. This coming week is supposed to be the peak. We'll see if this prediction is true.
One of the reasons that deadlines keep getting extended, is that shows believe artists are too distracted to be paying attention to the deadlines. One show organizer told me that at the moment show applications are dead in the water. No one is paying attention. Everything has stopped. I can say that in my business which depends on shows purchasing calls for artists I have not received one since March 10. That probably mirrors what is happening in show offices I'd guess. I am essentially out of business.
I feel like there is so much mixed information out there as far as how soon we will be able to gather in large groups. It is so strange to be applying for a show that takes place in mid July (Stockholm, WI) and then one day later have a show cancel in mid August even before it has juried (Evergreen CO - they are so kind as to refund our jury fees!). I still have one show the first weekend in June (Prairie Village) which has not decided to cancel yet. Obviously we have so many unknowns out there!
I have set my mind to an expectation of no shows for a year because the more info I get the more likely this seems. But I'm still applying just in case! Am I wasting my jury fees when I really could use the money? Likely. One thing I have decided is not to pay any more booth fees unless the organizers promise full refunds upon cancellations.
Now the question is how to survive without art fairs- nothing else will come close in income.