I have heard the words "Rotating the Artist" several times now and I'm hoping there is no truth to this. We pay to be juried into a show and when I heard this...I was just blown away!
Has anyone else heard the phrase "Rotating the Artist"? Tell me it isn't so.
Replies
"...but I'm not going to count on a show to build my following for me. That's my job".
I am a huge buyer when it comes to other artist work...Potters don't usually like to ship a fragile piece, they rely on their established customer base (like me) to come back and see what's new, my customers like to see, touch, feel the jewelry and want me to make custom pieces based on a stone they want me to see. I use Constant Contact to help my customers find me at these shows...Shows are my revolving "brick & mortar" and it gives my customers confidence when purchasing a $3,000 necklace.
"Some shows have a % reinvite back. Not sure if this is still accurate but St James Court has a 40% reinvite back and the State Street Ann Arbor show has a 50% reinvite back".
I have been invited back to both of these but they make this information available to the artist prior to applying...what I'm wondering is if shows like Mount Dora, Boardwalk, Winter Park, etc..are on a non-written code of "Rotating Artist"? I'm hearing veteran artist refer to these shows as using this practice.
The first is more artist friendly and the second is a rip off because the shows usually don't tell you how many spaces are actually open for jurying.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
"...Grandfathered which means that once you're accepted you can continue to do the show year after year".
I think you just nailed it Larry.
Why would an artist want to improve their art? How could you ever cultivate a following with your customers...why bother? Has an artist ever said, " I'll see you next year..maybe if I'm just lucky?"
How can you cultivate a following if you are not in the show for several years in a row? I have bought a lot of "one hit wonders" because I never saw the artist again and may have lost his/her card and they weren't at any art shows I went to the next year.
I think this is a dilemma that a lot of promoters have. Your patrons want to see their favorites and new artists at the same time. Since everyone has different favorites, who do you eliminate to get in the new artists? By getting into a show for several years running, you can establish relationships with customers, know you will have a show for a particular weekend for a while and etc.
I think it is a good idea for an artist's peace of mind. (and, you will still improve your work because that is what a good artist does.)
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the clarification. It's an interesting issue you've raised.
However, to Geri's comment "How do you build a following if you're not in the show several years in a row?" : I understand that sentiment, but I'm not going to count on a show to build my following for me. That's my job. So I email my entire customer base twice a year, and again a couple of weeks before I'll be in their area--even if it's a different show than the one at which they bought from me the first time.
That said, I DO think it's fair for a show to say how many spaces are reserved for award winners and past participants. Seems like a few do that, and most don't.
Thank you Geri! You give a unique perspective that only my customers could give.
I'm heading to Mainsail Art Festival where I have had around 10 of my customers in the St. Pete, Tampa area call me, wanting to make sure I'll be there to discuss a new design.
Every year when I do these shows...I work extremely hard to win the awards just so I can be back into their show the next year because I'm finding that even though I work hard designing and sculpting new pieces, that's not enough. The award money is great, don't get me wrong plus an huge honor but that guarantee that you know you will be in that show next year is worth more to my business and to my established customers.
I'm new at doing shows, only 4 years and I'm still hoping that "rotating artist" is not a common practice among certain shows but I agree with Larry...many artist have been "grandfathered in" and that's fine...it's their show but new or younger artist will just throw their hands up and say...why bother. It's bad business if true.
Now that I've said that, Kalamazoo has always had a two year jury where you are automatically accepted for two years before having to rejury. I'm not sure if they still do it that way because it's been years since I applied. Additionally Oklahoma City has always had a three year jury and as long as your sales were over a certain amount you would automatically get a reinvite for the following and following year. That's because OKC is a 20% commission show and they need to know that they will make their money each year.
The Michigan Guild has what's called "continuing spaces" once you reach #1 on the waiting list and each year you have the option of getting the same space or going into the lottery for spaces other artists have given up.
Some shows have a % reinvite back. Not sure if this is still accurate but St James Court has a 40% reinvite back and the State Street Ann Arbor show has a 50% reinvite back. That allows shows to keep the quality up. And I'm sure there are other shows that do similar things, like reinvite back the top 25 artists other than the award winners from the onsite jury.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
These shows are like 6-7 on a scale of 10, 10 being the best show. You've been accepted for 2-3 years in a row and have been selected for an award each year or won an award but the next year after applying you get the rejection e-mails and you don't even make the waitlist. Your left thinking "What Happen"? And then you start talking to the artist around you and they shake their heads like...Oh their known for doing that, they like to Rotate their artist.
Hope that helps Geoff.