At a show not too long ago, I heard another artist mention that he had decided to cancel out of the rest of his shows this summer (since his sales had been so low so far), try and get back any booth fees where he could and just try and "ride it out" the rest of this summer. I was just curious, then, if other artists had in the past done something like this or are doing something similar this summer? Clearly health or family issues dictate cancelling from a show but have you ever done so for other reasons?
Just curious!
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I just sent an e-mail to a show I was accepted into in October (Tyler State Park, PA - Crafts in the Meadow). I'm on our high school reunion committee and our reunion is falling on the same weekend as the show (we had changed the date and I think I didn't change the date on my calendar). I explained the situation - there's no mention of no refund on their app - but if I can't get a refund, I'll do the show.
This morning, I sent them an e-mail asking to ignore my request. I'm doing the show and will make it work.
I've always felt compelled to do a show if I've already agreed to. Even shows that others have done poorly at can be worthwhile - even if they're not that lucrative and you only make costs back. You've still gained a few new customers and someone who picks up a card may buy from you in the future.
Mind you, we don't have as many shows down here, and most have less booths (and don't get me started on not filtering out b/s). The only time I haven't turned up was when I became ill and I missed out on one day of a three day show (and I must admit the blizzard like conditions on the day helped my decision to stay in bed!)
In your case Amy, I'd estimate how much extra that fuel, accommodation, meals are going to be and see if you could perhaps break even. If that is highly unlikely, then yes, cut your losses now.
A lot of shows here don't even demand payment upfront - rather collecting them on the day. The consequence of this is a number of participants not showing up which is disappointing and the blank spots don't look good! I would think a 14 day before the event cancellation policy would be OK, giving the organisers some time to fill blank spots with later cancellations only refunded if the spot is definitely filled.
Annette... This is the blog I missed, and boy, am I sorry I did! I'm like you... be there if you said you're going to be there. However, I've got to sit down and do some serious number crunching. :o/ Maybe it's just my good ol' Catholic guilt making me feel bad if I bail?!? LOL!
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/chicago-lincoln-park-...
However, I was interested in this topic overall as the artist I heard at the last show was not the only one who I've heard talk about cancelling on shows this summer, and I think a lot of it had to do with the added "costs" like travel, hotel, gas, parking, meals, etc. It's one thing if you have a "meh" show but have minimal (if any) costs beyond the booth fee. It's another to invest to get there... is it worth all the work to "break even"? Sure, you didn't lose anything, but you spent a whole weekend in the heat when you could have been in the studio, etc. (Of course, in my case, working in the studio means working over a 1800 deg. torch, sitting next to a 950 deg annealing kiln... so, I guess "sitting in the heat" is all relative!!)
I see what you mean Amy! Doesn't sound very promising at all. If your costs are going to be substantial, I too would cancel. I would feel awfully guilty but I'd get over it eventually LOL. Sounds like that show needs to build itself back up with locals or at least change organisers!
As far as cancelling your whole schedule, I'm almost at that point for our spring - but I have a good reason - I'm going to Italy! I'm currently negotiating with my regular helper to do my most lucrative show - sales may not be as good without me there but I was at the point of actually coming back early from Italy just for that show!! (I need my head read, I know.... and you think you have guilt issues!)
However, if you have other venues for selling your work that do OK - like galleries, online and the odd local event, then perhaps it is a good time to regroup, rethink and just create?
All artists must cancel a show on occasion. It matters not why, it is life as an art show artist. Most shows do not seem to get it and insist on keeping a fee from an artist even when they resell the space. It is a reprehensible practice. A sensible policy is below:
Return of Booth Fee Policy:
If an artist cancels his or her participation in an art fair at ANY time for ANY reason and IF the space is filled from the wait list; the artist MUST have his or her booth fee returned."
A very small administrative fee may be charged.
Bruce - I get that in theory, but what about this scenario. A show has the policy you suggest, 2 days before the show, weather is looking bad. Given the great refund policy, 20 people bail, figuring they can get their money back. The show will really want to get replacements, they scramble and actually get 10 people to fill spots. Big hassle for them and the people called off the list. So, who gets refunds? First 10 who bailed? Or do all the people get 1/2 their refunds. And, how fair is this to the rest of the artists who didn't bail and to the customers who have to look at 10 empty spaces? There was zero incentive for the 20 to not bail given they all thought they'd get their money back. And, don't you think the show organizers have enough last minute issues to deal with without having to scramble to fill spots because artists bailed due to their generous refund policy. I think at some point, it should be too late, even if the show can fill the spot.
What if 1/2 the artists bail at the last minute? Show can't possibly replace them, now you have a 1/2 filled show and the artists don't get refunded anyway, the remaining artists are hosed and the customers are hosed.
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