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Jury fees, the math

Posted by Joel Lockridge on June 9, 2015 at 10:33am in Business of Art Fairs

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood this morning, but I'm feeling a bit annoyed. One of the many shows I've been rejected from recently replied with their sincere apologies, and all the numbers involved. We sincerely appreciate your interest and hope you'll apply again.

Here's what got my attention:

# of Exhibitors: 240
# of Returning Invited Artists: 27
# of Selected Artists: 213
# of Applicants: 1391

So, each artist pays a $30 non-refundable jury fee before even being considered.

1,391 x 30 = $41,730

This is before the $395 booth fees to be paid by each exhibitor.

395 x 240 = $94,800

That puts this show at $136,530 in revenue before a single dollar is made by an artist. What am I missing? How expensive is it to run an art show, really?

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application, booth, fee, jury

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Replies

Connie Mettler November 8, 2015 at 11:08pm

Joel, here is an excellent discussion of this topic that should be helpful to you from our archives: Just got my latest rejection: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/got-my-latest-rejection...

Some great tips on figuring out whether or not to apply to a show.
- Joel Lockridge > Connie Mettler November 10, 2015 at 8:22am
  
  Good info, Connie. Thanks!
joni marhula November 6, 2015 at 9:08pm

I agree....they should refund if not accepted,,,,,i dont want to keep throwing my money away...
- Chris Hoyt > joni marhula November 7, 2015 at 7:14am
  
  Then read your application before sending in your money. If you see they do not refund jury fees, don't apply.
  - Richard L. Sherer > Chris Hoyt November 8, 2015 at 4:09pm
    
    Producing and exhibiting at art shows are businesses. Jury fees are simply a artists' cost of doing business. Lower your expenses by critically examining the probability of your art being accepted. If you don't do this, continue to gripe about jury fees.
  - joni marhula > Chris Hoyt November 8, 2015 at 11:11am
    
    Well of course we KNOW we will not get refunded...All Im saying is it would be nice , or even a portion.....I just got a full refund from one for not being selected. It is a risk we all take, but just sayin...on the giant ones where there are over 100 applicants....it would be nice.
    
    signed
    
    starving artist
  - Jim Parker > Chris Hoyt November 7, 2015 at 8:43am
    
    This made me laugh. In a good way.
    - joni marhula > Jim Parker November 8, 2015 at 11:11am
      
      lol me too ......in a perfect world ...right
Camryn Forrest July 3, 2015 at 2:25pm

That puts this show at $136,530 in revenue before a single dollar is made by an artist. What am I missing? How expensive is it to run an art show, really...

Well, there would be salaries for paid staff, rental of equipment and tents (for show management purposes), insurance, rental of location, parking, food and drink possibly, promotion of the event including advertising-flyers-posters, security, bathrooms (as Richard said ... ), awards if any ...

some shows put a lot back into the show itself, some less.
Rich Terry July 1, 2015 at 9:48pm

I would highly recomend that you take some time and put together a mock business plan for such an event. Be sure to include the fact that most venues are rented as well as take a percentage of the gate plus you need to guarantee a minimum gate. I was self employed for over thirty years and the one thing I hated most was having employees talking about how I had it made!