Having help at Art Shows/Events

Connie Mettler September 18, 2010 at 7:22am

I know there is a company out there where you can hire bonded workers who will come to the show and help you set up and come back at tear down. It is a very decent rate, as I recall and has been around for some time. Can anybody help me out with this? There was an artist at ABE who had a worker come in to help her. There is an 800 number to find them. Help.

Being physically strong with good stamina is a necessity for this business. It is not for the weak.

Linnea Lahlum > Connie Mettler September 18, 2010 at 10:16pm

This would be good to know. I had to cancel too many shows last fall after I had surgery. I could have done the show, just couldn't lift anything heavy.

Sandy Walker September 16, 2010 at 9:07pm

I have done the gamut of bringing a friend or family member with me to help versus doing the show on my own. Sometimes my friends would think of it as a "vacation", which it was for them, because I paid the hotel and food bill! Having an assistant with you certainly has its advantages, but can also be a drawback. I had a well-meaning friend that came with me to help once, but her approach with my customers was so different from mine that I finally had to kindly tell her to please not try to sell my art. Then it was awkward between us. So it may not always be in your best interest to bring a friend. I always loved having my husband or one of my children help me, for the companionship and going out for dinner in the evening. But being with me in the booth during the shows would be, well, crowded.
I normally do the shows on my own now, and I have found that the art festival artists are really helpful to one another. Most artists don't mind watching your booth while you go use the facilities, and we're all in this together after all. Many shows have booth sitters that you can arrange to have in your booth so you can go eat or whatever. I tend to get "cabin fever" and need to walk around the show a little, and that is not usually a problem, as long as you communicate with your artist neighbors. Of course, you want to be in your booth most of the time, so you can meet your customers, but part of the fun of doing shows is meeting your neighboring artists. From my experience it is always a mix of single people like me, as well as couples, partners and sometimes, whole families who do the shows.
Some show promoters also have tent for rent companies that will come in and set up a tent for you.
Depending on the show, there are sometimes locals who show up before or after a show to help you unload and set up. These are sometimes homeless people who just want a couple bucks, but are you willing to hire them without felling creepy at 5:30am in a strange city? I am not. Here again, you got to watch your bottom line, and not spend money to make money if you don't have to.
One thing that helps me is I am on a regimen of exercise during the week so that I have the strength to do the shows on weekends. People don't always realize how taxing it is physically, mentally, even at times emotionally to do these shows. Even if you have a helper you are going to bear the weight of the responsibility of the show.

Amy Furgiuele September 15, 2010 at 4:18pm

I'm kind of referring to all different aspects of the show... Set-up and tear down is one thing and then during the show itself. I do take advantage of booth sitters, if available, and I always make friends with neighbors and have been blessed so far to always have great ones. Private produced shows (unlike Guild or Art Council groups) don't usually offer booth sitters and certainly don't offer volunteers to help. They also seem to be the ones with the crazy long hours, coincidentally!! If I were to pay someone to help set-up/tear down, what's the going rate for such services? Any good or cautionary tales out there about these ventures?

Diane Wright > Amy Furgiuele September 15, 2010 at 4:31pm

I know this doesn't help you, but if you ever get to comment on these shows, that should be your comment. I do work with an art collective to produce a show and we offer both at no cost to us. We get many volunteers from local agencies that look for opportunities to supply volunteer for non profit events. We have been very successful in getting these volunteers for both set up/take down and for booth sitting but no selling or handling money. I don't know the going rate - I pay my son $50.

phillip hall September 15, 2010 at 12:49pm

One option is to contact the show and ask if they know anyone who could be hired for setup or teardown. Many times they have volunteers who will do this for free. Most shows have booth sitters you can sign up for.

Diane Wright > phillip hall September 15, 2010 at 4:05pm

Are you speaking about help setting up and tearing down or during the show? Generally, I can get help setting up and tearing down - either my husband or son come and help or I hire someone I know. Sometimes shows will have young volunteers (mostly at set up) that will help - I tip them well unless the management asks me not to. Even if my husband comes & helps with set up and take down, he is not there during the show itself. Some shows do have booth sitters (never around when you need them) but I usually make good friends with one of my neighbors at the show and ask if they could watch my booth while I scoot to the ladies room or get a bite. That has never been a problem. I've never needed help with selling - that would be a nice problem to have - but if I did I guess I would hire a friend - someone I could trust with money.
- phillip hall > Diane Wright September 16, 2010 at 12:01pm
  
  The comment about money is a good one. I once hired a wife of a fellow artist and was ripped off big time. Lost a friend and learned a lesson. I have heard of booth sitters taking cash also. a locking cash box would be a good idea for strangers in your booth.

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Having help at Art Shows/Events

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