Juried Art Shows

If selling at juried art shows is part of your business strategy, these shows can become a significant source of profits for your craft business, so getting your craft show applications in top form is important.

Read your craft show applications carefully, and read them well before the application deadline. Look at websites for the shows that are of interest to you, most juried art shows allow you to print their application from the site.

Notice whether the posted application is for the coming season or if it's the old application from the previous year. If it's from the previous year, it can still be useful because the requirements typically won't change that much from year to year. So do go ahead an review the application if it's from the previous year, but also make a note to return to the site to print up the current year's application when it's posted.

Print up the applications for all of the juried art shows that interest you and read them through carefully. You'll immediately notice one thing - they all have different requirements. Some of the requirements are easy to fulfill, others take more work, particularly if this is the first year you're applying to juried art shows. So, if it's nowhere near the craft show application deadline, that's great, start working on the application now so you you'll have plenty of time to put together a great application package.

Juried Arts and Crafts Shows Usually Require:

• Fantastic photos of your work, particularly if you're applying to a competitive category and/or top shows. Make a really honest assessment of your ability to take photos. Are your images outstanding? Do you have the skill and equipment to take photos that show your work in its best possible light and stand out from the crowd? Some people do, but if you don't look at hiring a photographer to take your photos. The money spent can be a great investment in your business, helping you to get into the better, more profitable juried art shows.

  Carefully note the format the organizers require for your photos. Some want slides, others want printed photos, and still others want your images submitted on a CD. They may want three photos, five or ten. Read the requirements for all of the application you plan to submit so you can be sure you'll have all of the requirements covered with the photos you have.
  

• A great booth photo. Not all craft show applications ask for a photo of your booth, but many do. If you're just starting to do shows, you may be tempted to wait to create a booth. You may be thinking, why spend the money on creating a booth before I know I've been accepted into some shows.

  That thinking makes sense to a point; however, there's a good chance that you won't get into the better, more competitive shows without a great booth photo. So the trade off of waiting to create a great booth is that you may only be accepted to a few smaller shows in your first year or two. That's not necessarily a bad strategy, you may want to get your feet wet and get experience with smaller shows before you commit to the higher booth fees of bigger shows. It's a decision you'll need to make for your own business and depends a lot on your own business strategy for growth.

• An artist's biography. Give yourself plenty of time to write your artist's bio. They can be tricky to write if you're not used to writing to promote yourself. You can take a look at some other artists' websites and read their artists' statements to get some inspiration, but don't copy them. A good bio promotes your work in a way that is sincere. Your bio can be used on your website and in any printed promotional materials you develop. So, once you write the bio, it will have uses beyond craft show applications.

• Other miscellaneous requirements There are a number of other pieces of information that you may need to provide when applying to juried art shows. Organizers may ask you to provide: a description of your products, the price range of your items, a description of the techniques used to create your work, a list of other juried shows you've attended, your resume, and/or your website address.

Completing Your Craft Show Application

• Read the entire application before you fill it out, make a copy of it and fill out a practice copy. Print up the requirements and very carefully check your application against the requirements. Have you included everything required? Don't rely on notes you may have made; you may have forgotten to note something important. Instead, go directly to your original copy of the requirements to ensure you've completed everything.
  

  Be meticulous. Ensure that you've filled out everything perfectly. Do not omit anything, and follow the organizer's instructions exactly: label everything exactly as required, use the exact envelope or folder size requested by the organizer, organize documents in the order they request. Some organizers are more specific than others; whatever they require, follow their instructions perfectly.
  

• Write the application deadlines on your calendar. Better still, post a year long calendar where you can see it and write down all of the deadlines. Then, be certain to get your craft show applications in well before the deadlines. Submitting your applications early can make a difference; if you're on the top of the pile, it means jurists are looking at your work before they are bleary eyed from looking at hundreds of photos.
  

• Go straight to the source when checking for application deadlines. There are some well respected guides listing juried arts and crafts shows. They are great for finding out about shows in your area, but although they may note application deadlines, it's smarter to go straight to the craft show website and application form to check the deadline so you're certain you have the correct date. Always go straight to the source for important information.
  

• Keep your show information organized. Keep track of the juried art shows you've applied to. Unless you have a partner and adequate resources, you won't want to end up accepted at two shows on the same weekend. Get out the calendar you used for writing down application deadline, and in a different color, mark the dates of juried art shows you have applied to.
  

• Keep photocopies of everything you send Copies of completed applications will help you to fill out other applications. If you maintain good records, you'll be able to refer to previous craft show applications and this process will become much easier as you apply to more shows.
  

• Keep track of show fees and who you've sent cheques to so you'll know what's coming out of your business bank account. Many show organizers simply hold your cheque and don't cash it until you've been accepted. I have heard stories of shows organizers who cash your cheque immediately, then provide a refund if you're not accepted. Read the payment policies carefully and ensure you have the show fees covered in your business bank account.
  

  Juried art shows can provide great venues for selling your crafts. Ensure you make the best impression possible with your craft show application. Great photos, attention to detail, and smart planning and organization will help you to get into the shows you have targeted.

   
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