Lately when I get my list of shows from Zapp and others, I am increasingly seeing a notation "jewelry category closed" when the deadline for applying hasn't even arrived yet. This really confuses and frustrates me because I can think of only two possible reasons for this:
- Everyone who was in last year is automatically grandfathered in for the current year or
- They are just accepting applications on a first come, first serve basis.
Either way, I'm thinking to myself, why would I want to enter a show like this?
Where I live there are not a lot of actual art shows. I heard about one that is supposed to be good. When I called them up they told me that jewelry was full because everyone from the prior year can come back. So they put me on a wait list, but I have been on the wait list for two years now going on three (if I bother to call them). Apparently, I am waiting for people to die. This makes it very hard as an artist when you aren't even allowed to apply for shows.
Why have a jury and a deadline for applications if you aren't going to accept applications up to the deadline and then jury them? I'm thinking I might start a list of these shows and put them on my own personal blacklist for not following their own rules.
Anyone care to weigh in on this?
Replies
I'm new to this industry but as far as I can tell there are really only three meaningful ways for an artist to get paid regularly; fairs, artist owned retail space and third party galleries.
Retail is fraught with risk and galleries seem iffy for year in and year out income.
That leaves fairs so as long as they have multiples of booth space applying, they make the rules don't they and can and do whatever they want with little pushback, right?
True, but I think if they don't follow their advertised rules that it undermines all their credibility.
I agree, Jacki, I think that can't be good for the show in the long run. But then maybe Larry is on to something. At least that might explain it. I still think it's pretty short-sighted and also not very ethical if it is not in accordance with their own jury process.
This is more common with promoters who have a large number of shows, preferring to take applications from artists who support them and do more than an occasional show with them.
If the show is calling themselves a juried show, they should be jurying by medium after the deadline.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
That is very frustrating Roxanne. I can understand allowing a few artists to get in for the next year but I think they are also limiting new ideas. It also seems that by doing that they will also cut back on applications which cuts back on the fees they end up getting. It seems like they are only hurting themselves in the long run.