Juried Shows TIPS

A variety of art shows exist ranging from those sponsored by local galleries and organizations to national annuals sponsored by large associations and organizations. A few art shows exist as a fundraising event. Their goal is to get as many artists to enter as possible because the entry fees cover the cost of the exhibition and insure a profit. The majority of artists are rejected, but they are the ones who subsidize the exhibition. There are national and regional competitions that require a minimum fee as a way of controlling what could be a flood of entries.

There are other alternatives to offsetting a show’s expenses (e.g. admission charge, cash bar, donations, sponsors, commissions, grants). The most ethical way to handle artist fees would be to charge artists accepted into a show and not the ones rejected.

Points to consider before entering art contests, competitions, and juried exhibitions:

• Is the event local, regional, national, or international?
• What are the entry fees?
• Will the art be juried from digital images or actual work?
• What types of awards are given? Are purchase awards worth more or less than the sales value of your work?
• How many works may be accepted per artist? Acceptance may be limited to one work per artist even though multiple works may be submitted. Also, because venues often have a limited amount of space, smaller works may be favored.
• Does your work meet the guidelines for theme, medium, size, weight, and presentation requirements?
• Are you required to send a bio, artist’s statement, or other credentials with your submission?
• Must all works be made available for purchase?
• Who is responsible for paying sales tax?
• What commissions are taken on sales? Will commissions be taken on purchase awards?
• Where will the work be displayed? How will the exhibit be promoted?
• Is information available about the attendance or sales from previous exhibitions? (Keep in mind that purchase awards may be considered as sales.)
• Will the gallery or other place of venue insure the work while it is on the premises?
• Ask who will be judging the competition. What are their credentials? What is their affiliation with the organization sponsoring/hosting the event?
• Does the chamber of commerce (in the city or county where the event takes place) know anything about it or have any info on the business or organization sponsoring the event?
• Ask the sponsor of the event how they are promoting the event. Be wary of events that are only promoted toward artists, rather than toward buyers, collectors, and the public.
• Does the sponsor hold such events annually, monthly, etc.? Annual events tend to be larger, better promoted, and more prestigious. Be wary of sponsors who promote an annual drawing competition one month, an annual painting competition the next, and an annual sculpture competition the next.
• Does the sponsor have a physical address or merely an email address or P.O. Box?
• Are you asked to pay exhibit fees or reception fees?
• Find out in what form the awards are given: cash, gift certificates, merchandise awards, ribbons, purchase awards (your work is sold for the amount of the award), gallery shows, publications, etc.
• If the show has taken place before, there may be a list of winners from previous competitions that you could contact.

Consider what you want to get out of entering juried shows:

• If your goal is to build your artist’s resume, look for the most prestigious shows (also the hardest to get accepted into). Ask how many artists have entered previously and how many of those artists were accepted into the exhibition.
• If your goal is to sell your work, choose the art shows that are heavily promoted to buyers, collectors and the public or ones that have had the most sales in the past. Keep in mind that entering art contests is a great way to gain exposure for your work even if you don’t make an immediate sale. Always have brochures, business cards, or postcards of your work available to encourage future sales.
• If your goal is to win an award, find out as much about the judge/juror as possible –what he or she looks for. What kinds of work have they selected in previous art shows? They will probably be more apt to have discriminating taste in their area of expertise.