Okay, I have begun looking into the in's and out's of promoting an Art Fair. Other than "Don't do it" what advice can you give. Think about this question: If you were King and could have what you want in a show, what would you want?
What is the optimal number of artists for a show that is large enough to be meaningful, but not so large that one gets lost in the crowd?
How many days would be optimal?
Considering 2014, when would you like to see a show in Northern Indiana (just off the Indiana Toll Road)?
What amenities would you like to see for the artists?
What cost for a booth would be fair to both the artist and the promoter?
Where should a promoter market the show that would personally be positive for you and your artwork?
Again, if you were King (or Queen) what would you want to see in a new show?
Replies
June 8th and 9th. Yeah, that's a light weekend. There are only 5 shows that weekend instead of the usual 10. Seriously, as is, your show is doomed to failure. Why? Because it's under capitalized and any business under capitalized will not make it. You need a corporation and local business to underwrite the show in exchange for advertising, their own booth, etc. The money from the artists should represent only 10% of total. Use that money for prizes.
Barry,
Thanks for the reality check. I have a list of corporate sponsors to approach and media outlets for in-kind sponsorships. I am still in the early thinking about this idea and nothing is nailed down. The other available option is to make it an indoor show, which will limit the artists participating to no more than 110. Is it worth it to promote an indoor summer show? Would artists flock to it? Or, would they avoid it in favor of outdoor shows?
Frankly, I thought there would be more interest in shaping my thinking by artists who wish things were one way or another. (i.e. What do you want? What do you not want? What would make for a show worth attending? What are your very own parameters?)
I hope as this discussion comes to the attention of more members, the discussion will strengthen, deepen, and help form my thinking.
Thank you for your contribution, Barry.
Lois
Here's something you must deal with.
You have your show pretty much filled. You've gone to great lengths to make sure you have no exhibitors with similar work near each other. You've made sure the fiber artists are nowhere near any food vendors where smoke would permeate the fiber work.
You're pretty much on track.
Then the cancellations start. The exhibitors who signed up for your show did so because they really didn't want to do your show, but they needed a backup in case the real show they wanted to do might waitlist or reject them. But they got in! They don't need you anymore.
So how are you going to deal with these people? You now have holes in your show you may not fill, and your show suffers because of this.
How will you as the promoter handle this? Once you have a solution, spell it out in your contract.
Chris,
Very good point, thank you for your contribution. My concept is to try to design a show that caters to the artist and therefore, they would actually want to be in the show. However, you have a very realistic scenario that needs serious thought given to it. Does one overbook? Have a no refund policy or what. Neither of those two thoughts seem to be artist-friendly. However, we also need to be promoter-friendly to pay the bills. I am not looking to do this as a money-maker, but I must at least break even with the expenses.
Believe it or not ... this group is the reason I started thinking about doing a show. I've organized many large events in my past and thought that I might be able to produce a show that would make most (not all) artists pleased.
Back in the day, I was the organizer for large SCCA events. I have a realistic understanding that no matter what one does, some of the people will complain. As my dad used to say, "That guy would complain, if he was hung with a new rope."
Thoughts, anyone?
Lois
I live in South Bend, and do Leeper Park (always on Father's Day weekend) and Talbot Street the weekend before that. I think that Leeper is as good as it is because there aren't any other major shows around that area in June. I'd hate to see another show sucking the life out of Leeper the week before, with no guarantees that the new show would really pull artists and customers so close in time to Leeper. There have been other fine art shows in South Bend over the years, and they always sort of faded away after a few years. Art Beat, in late August, is thriving, but it is A&C, and not expensive to do since it is run by the downtown merchants association. The Elkhart Main Street show faded away 10 years ago when the falling economy hit that town so hard. I think Elkhart is just about ready for a real fine art show again, things have picked up there and the monthly Art Walk (the one were artists set up displays in shop windows) is well attended. The show in the Elkhart Wellfield is nice, but out of the way and the arts are a sideline.
I know that cancellations are a problem because we artists will apply to more than one show on a weekend. I appreciate a show that only asks for the jury fee up front with the booth fee due upon acceptance. Having a no refund policy would just cut down on applicants, I would think.
Joan,
Oh, my. I certainly did not intend that this proposed show would "suck the live out of Leeper Park." My late husband taught with Judy Ladd (the organizer) at LaSalle High School in South Bend for the better part of 20 years. I am waitlisted for Leeper this year.
I was just looking for a show where they are few and far between. I know that a lot of artists like to schedule shows in a linear fashion, that is, they drive from place to place with a purpose and a plan. I just thought having the show at first week of June would make for an easier travel plan for those going to South Bend. But, I see your point.
Thank you for your comments, Joan. Do you have thoughts about an outdoor Sept show or an indoor summer show/
Lois
I'm thinking at this point a mid September date is good. Labor day weekend (4th Street in Bloomington) and the following weekend (Penrod in Indianapolis) are biggies.
I think there's lots of good advice here and I can't really add much, other than it seems like there's always a lot going on the first weekend of June, including the Winona Lake show. But the 8th & 9th should be the second weekend.
I would like to find a good show in September, because the oppressive heat is gone and so the the big storms that come in June and July. The storms freak me out. I'm doing Winona Lake this weekend and already worrying about the weather. But that's probably just me.
Thank you, Roxanne.
Would others rather see a show in September than in June?
In 2014 the first full weekend in June is the 8th and the 9th, because the 1st of June falls on a Sunday.
Well, if I were queen, the show would be heavily advertised, in an area that wasn't already saturated, juried well, nothing questionable allowed in. Good food vendors, appropriate art fair music.
Booth fees under 300 electricity provided, drive up to booth for load in/out, volunteers available for breaks, water, snacks.
No awards I think we have already been judged once, no need for more judging.
Artist reception Saturday night
Saturday Sunday show, no Friday
No more than 120 artists
Involved and visible show director who is a good problem solver and who is nice. This helps relieve a lot of stress.
There are my thoughts!
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