Very interesting reading your article on Chicago's pop up galleries Connie.
My husband and I began watching various big named stores like Toys R Us and others use the empty storefronts months before the holiday season. We then thought about the numerous large and small cities we went through during our summer of driving to/from art shows. Our own city has many vacant storefronts. I have been working with our BID (Business Improvement Director) and our mayor at evaluating a scenario that would facilitate the use of these storefronts on a short term basis, basically for "traveling art exhibits". As we are also in the process of picking the shows that we want to attend in 2010 (many in MI), we are researching for names of the BID directors in those cities. It is our intention to contact them and discuss possibilities. My thoughts are the following:
If we do a show in Traverse City one weekend, why not rent a vacant storefront for a week or two to display our "traveling art exhibit", then move on to the next show and do the same. It is a win/win for city, building owner and the artist. I'm thinking that a week of rent may very well be less than some of the high priced shows we attend!
I'm still working on the foundation of this project, but my early research has indicated that quite a few city leaders are open to a well planned out move in this direction. Wouldn't that be interesting if this new wave of art selling took off all across the nation?
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Sounds like a fantastic idea with no drawbacks or caveats whatsoever! I hear there's a wonderful space just off 50th and France up in Minneapolis - Edina to be more specific and it's not far from their local post office too. . . maybe that would be a great place to start - please keep us posted!
Sounds like a fantastic idea with no drawbacks or caveats whatsoever! I hear there's a wonderful space just off 50th and France up in Minneapolis - Edina to be more specific and it's not far from their local post office too. . . maybe that would be a great place to start - please keep us posted!
Not rambling at all Michelle. I've done enough research with our own local building owners and civic leaders that the largest obstacle is insurance, which I'm researching now. There would be no building signs or named store front. Building owners would not have any extra burdens set upon them if not willing (ie, cleanup etc.) Building owners would only be responsible for opening the temporary store front on day one, signing a mutual contract, returning on the last day to check store condition and take the key back. Of course, I'm continually working with my "template" with local parties so everything is not ironed out as of yet. The overall concept however would require the use of vacant buildings within a tourist area's downtown shops - places that typically have heavy foot traffic - keeping advertising/sign costs out of the picture. Local interested parties here indicated the ease and low costs of adding a small sopt in the city advertiser section of their local papers. This would not be difficult as once an ad is configured, it would be duplicated per each location. Scheduling this ad would not be any more difficult that the scheduling an artist does each fall/winter for their summer shows. I would anticipate I (or other artists) would have a sidewalk sign to place outside for that week or two. That sign is the sandwich type of sign that has either a chalkboard or dry erase type of board for ease of location advertising changes.
Nothing long term about any of the processes. For the artist, it's basically the same as setting up a 10x10 space at a show (except no tent needed and no dealing with the elements). Temporary agreement is made with the show promoter/building owner. It is a very simple process, but success is in building a strongly detailed foundation. Given the success of the big store (Toys R Us etc) Pop Ups over the holidays, I've been referring to their template - just scaling it down to meet the timeframes and needs of the traveling artist.
The entire concept and template is aimed at simplification. One artist/one week just as that artist would approach any art fair. Simple with little cost involved. I'll let you know when the final template is worked out. Fortunately, I've worked closely with my civic leaders and business owners for many years and I'm receiving tremendous input.
Michelle Sholund said:
I think the issue, you might come across is the "one week" part. I think some building owners might rather have the spaces vacant because there will always be someone out there wanting to rent it. The other issue is having it ready for artists each week making sure they comply with leaving it in just as good a condition as they entered it. I think "advertising" the store would be hard as well - what would the "store front" be called with so many artists coming and going?
I have to say I have thought about a similar idea and thought it was neat that you put this out there on artfairinsiders.com . Where I used to live there was a vacant Ames store that had been out of business for years - although the lights kept coming on at night. I thought what an awesome location for a weekend show - swap meet or better yet an indoor art fair (during the winter) and outdoor event during the summer (unless it is too hot, then have it inside). The location is at a MAJOR intersection with many other thriving businesses in strip mall area too. I just never got enough courage to chat with the building manager. It would have all the amenities necessary - enclosed building with electric and some extra store display furniture, bathrooms, ample parking (even if the events were held outside), and so on. Something like that could be held seasonally each weekend to even year around - Friday - Sunday. Is this something you could see work with your idea, but on a smaller scale? For instance a couple 1,000 square foot storefront divided up into 10x10 spaces for artists to set up shop say for a week or two? I could see the artists be salesmen, while an owner overseeing the day to day business needs.
I think the issue, you might come across is the "one week" part. I think some building owners might rather have the spaces vacant because there will always be someone out there wanting to rent it. The other issue is having it ready for artists each week making sure they comply with leaving it in just as good a condition as they entered it. I think "advertising" the store would be hard as well - what would the "store front" be called with so many artists coming and going?
I have to say I have thought about a similar idea and thought it was neat that you put this out there on artfairinsiders.com . Where I used to live there was a vacant Ames store that had been out of business for years - although the lights kept coming on at night. I thought what an awesome location for a weekend show - swap meet or better yet an indoor art fair (during the winter) and outdoor event during the summer (unless it is too hot, then have it inside). The location is at a MAJOR intersection with many other thriving businesses in strip mall area too. I just never got enough courage to chat with the building manager. It would have all the amenities necessary - enclosed building with electric and some extra store display furniture, bathrooms, ample parking (even if the events were held outside), and so on. Something like that could be held seasonally each weekend to even year around - Friday - Sunday. Is this something you could see work with your idea, but on a smaller scale? For instance a couple 1,000 square foot storefront divided up into 10x10 spaces for artists to set up shop say for a week or two? I could see the artists be salesmen, while an owner overseeing the day to day business needs.
Replies
Munks said:
Nothing long term about any of the processes. For the artist, it's basically the same as setting up a 10x10 space at a show (except no tent needed and no dealing with the elements). Temporary agreement is made with the show promoter/building owner. It is a very simple process, but success is in building a strongly detailed foundation. Given the success of the big store (Toys R Us etc) Pop Ups over the holidays, I've been referring to their template - just scaling it down to meet the timeframes and needs of the traveling artist.
The entire concept and template is aimed at simplification. One artist/one week just as that artist would approach any art fair. Simple with little cost involved. I'll let you know when the final template is worked out. Fortunately, I've worked closely with my civic leaders and business owners for many years and I'm receiving tremendous input.
Michelle Sholund said:
I have to say I have thought about a similar idea and thought it was neat that you put this out there on artfairinsiders.com . Where I used to live there was a vacant Ames store that had been out of business for years - although the lights kept coming on at night. I thought what an awesome location for a weekend show - swap meet or better yet an indoor art fair (during the winter) and outdoor event during the summer (unless it is too hot, then have it inside). The location is at a MAJOR intersection with many other thriving businesses in strip mall area too. I just never got enough courage to chat with the building manager. It would have all the amenities necessary - enclosed building with electric and some extra store display furniture, bathrooms, ample parking (even if the events were held outside), and so on. Something like that could be held seasonally each weekend to even year around - Friday - Sunday. Is this something you could see work with your idea, but on a smaller scale? For instance a couple 1,000 square foot storefront divided up into 10x10 spaces for artists to set up shop say for a week or two? I could see the artists be salesmen, while an owner overseeing the day to day business needs.
Maybe I am just rambling.... - Michelle