I just did a show recently where the executive director of the organization putting on the show, told me the city and the local businesses didn't want us there. This show is a long running show and is partially sponsored by the local arts association. I don't want to do a show where we don't have local support. What do you think? I won't do this show again.
A few months ago, I was talking to one of the show directors who was complaining that every year the city ups it's fees for police and rental of the streets to put on the show. It was getting out of hand. I pointed out that we generate probably $100 million in business that gets spent in the local restaurants, hotels, retail shops, etc. and the city and state makes a lot of money in taxes on what is spent that weekend. She explained to me that every year they bring this up and every year it is basically ignored. I suggested that they cancel the show one year and their attitude would change. She told me they actually considered that. What do you think about this? What if the city decided that they didn't really need the event and canceled it permanently. What would you think then?
Some cities don't understand the benefits of having a successful art fair. One of the ones that gets it is Royal Oak, MI, which is the home of Arts, Beats, and Eats. The whole city embraced the event and everyone was giddy after last years event.
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I do believe, my deal Nels, that you hit the nail on the head on this fictional show.
The economic impact of art fairs has been faced and discussed here on AFI many times. Here are a few of my favorites:
Economic Impact of Festivals on surrounding communities - Can you Afford Not to Host one?
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2160589%3ABlog... -
Baltimore's 2009 Artscape festival cost $860,000 and returned $25.97 million in art and food sales, taxes collected, hotel bookings and other revenues.
Festivals Drive Tourism
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/festivals-drive-tourism
Arts, Beats & Eats raises record $315,213 for charities
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/arts-beats-amp-eats-r... - in 2010 economic impact of the event for the region $39,000,000
Have Art Fairs Lost Their Value?
http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/have-art-fairs-lost-the...
Ah, let me venture a guess, my esteemed pastie-eating grand artist that you are. You were at the Guild show in Birmingham, MI., an affluent suburb of Detroit. Show has been held in Shain Park for eons. Then the city did a rehab on the park and the show relocated to the Woodward Blvd. Then the city let the Guild do the spring show in the park.
First off, you are dealing with a lot of pissy-prima-donna shop owners who think we are taking money out of their coffers. You correctly pointed out the value of our presence. Of course they don't want to see it that way. They love the crowds we brings--they just don't want any artists taking money away.
Face it, Birmingham is going to be a hostile market, from the shop-keepers point of view.
Hey, I am doing the Guild September show there, but it is a mere vestige of what the old Shain Park used to be. I will be grinding it out that weekend since I didn't get in the Plaza (boo- hoo).
Unfortunately, a lot of town officials view us as a pack of wandering gypsies, rather than an assemblage of smart, creative business people who happen to make their living in the arts and have multiple locations across the country to sell at. Deep down, I think a lot of them are jealous and envious of us.
That is all I am saying. I am gonna go eat some of Ellen's fabulous meatloaf right now. Nels.
My situation is that I can be on both sides! I am in an "artsy" location with lots of local artists and galleries and craft and art boutiques. Those business people and artists (of whom I am one myself) are not always happy to have 100 "outside" artists come in as competition. They take traffic and sales away from their stores and galleries. While some of those same people complain to the city about this "outside" competition, the city sees things like, overtime weekend pay for workers, lost revenue from parking meters etc. A majority of local city coffers have been hit hard the last couple of years and there is not alot of money to pay for basic city services in many towns, they have to make it up from somewhere.... those of us using the services! For us, we are a non-profit art center and we get an exemption of a certain portion of the expenses, but the fee is still very high and getting higher. Also, since we have tourists all the time, art show or not, I guess we don't see the change in other businesses like restaurants, etc. However, a quality show, makes tourists and winter residents feel that they are in a really cool location, and should come back, buy a house, stay a week next time etc. etc. so we all know there is benefit....... it's just how much where, and when and who pays for it?
Also, the comment that some negative people, maybe few, seem to have big voices. I find that is true here very often!
Sounds like a couple of businesses have sour grapes - maybe a gallery or gift shops - that miss out on revenue that week as people shop at the show instead, and they have the ear of a town official (or are on the town board etc).
Could the show organisers do a survey of the local businesses - for that week, how many customers are there for the show (either exhibitors, show workers or visitors to the show) and how much % of regular revenue did they bring in/increase. That could then be used as ammunition in their fight to make the show more welcome.
Although its disappointing to hear such comments, if the customers love you, I wouldn't care about what the "town officals" think.
The show was a mess; I'm not sure the organizers needed non-support from the local government to hose this one up. But it couldn't have helped.