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 Many members have requested information on such topics as pricing your artwork, juried shows or how to write your artists statement. Potters Council is thrilled to be teaming up with Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, to bring you timely information each month on topics that directly affect you and your art.
Making pottery can be a solitary pursuit. By providing informational emails like this, Potters Council will keep you current on what is going on in the ceramic marketplace.
Renee’s topic, Juried Competitions, Be Prepared to Win, is timely as Potters Council has just released the call for entries for the member’s only juried show entitled “FILL-adelphia” to be held in conjunction with NCECA 2010. Renee has put together a great check list to use each and every time you submit for an exhibition.
- Carolyn Dorr, Potters Council
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Juried Competitions, Be Prepared to Win
By Renée Phillips, The Artrepreneur
I have written many articles and led workshops on this subject so I consider it to be of vital importance. Similar articles have appeared in Art Calendar Magazine (www.artcalendar.com) and the Manhattan Arts International Reading Room at www.manhattanarts.com. As I prepare this article I am organizing “HerStory 2009”, a competition for the Manhattan Arts International Online Gallery opening in June. I look forward to receiving many entries from ceramic artists this year.
Competitions that are juried by well-known artists, art critics and museum curators are viewed by many artists as opportunities for career advancement, and as ways to increase exposure, sales and awards. Juried exhibitions also offer artists a level playing field. Artists who live in isolated regions have an equal opportunity to receive recognition with artists who live in major cities in the U.S.
In the best juried shows, however, you face the highest competition. You may have only a one to two percent chance of being selected. As a juror of more than 50 exhibitions for Manhattan Arts International and other organizations since 1980 I have had the pleasure of viewing thousands of entries from artists worldwide. If you want to increase your odds pay attention to the details.
Playing The Hand You Are Dealt
- Carefully read and follow every instruction outlined in the prospectus and complete the form as requested.
- Write legibly and complete the form in its entirety. Missing information or information that is illegible can result in immediate disqualification.
- Submit your best work. In most situations your work has less than one minute to make an impact. One gallery reported a major art critic took only two hours to view a few hundred entries. In another New York City competition the judge took less than an eight-hour day to view 1,000 entries.
- Submit your work that best fits the medium, criteria and the theme requested.
- Research the juror(s) and their affiliations and track record. If the juror has a history of curating cutting edge installation art exhibitions and you create traditional ceramic pieces you would probably have a better chance elsewhere. (For annual competitions, you may want to invest in purchasing last year’s catalogue, if available. Or check the organizer’s website. Last year’s winning artists names may be listed.)
- Make sure your slides, photographs and digital entries are the best quality possible. As judges, we cannot guess that your work looks better than the images you submitted, so adding a note that blames poor photography will not help you. What you send is what is judged. Don’t submit images that are out of focus or have distracting objects in the background.
Advice on this Subject From Janice Sands, Executive Director Of Pen and Brush and Co-Juror Of Manhattan Arts International “HerStory 2009”
Pen and Brush (www.penandbrush.org) is a 115-year old nonprofit organization located in New York, NY, for women in the visual, literary and performing arts. In her eleven years with the organization, Sands has administered over 100 exhibitions of wall-hung work, sculpture, fine craft and photography. The organization accepts all ceramic art entries for its annual fall Craft as Fine Art exhibit and receives a high volume of entries for all its visual arts exhibits, so jurying is competitive. She advises, “The best presentation really matters. If you are a good photographer, it’s certainly fine to take your own photos of your work. Compose your photos carefully and light them carefully. Think of your images as art in their own right: Don’t use cluttered backgrounds. If you are not comfortable making images of your work yourself, consider hiring a professional photographer or taking your work to a studio (including classes at colleges or universities).
Sands also recommends: “Take good photographs with a digital camera so images may be transferred to a CD or emailed. Learn how to burn CD’s and how to email images in the proper format and file size.” Also follow the requirements for digital entries. If a jpeg is required send the proper resolution and pixel size. Display the image in the correct orientation. (The judges shouldn’t have to guess the top of the image.) Crop the image properly. Make sure the CD is viewable on both PC and Mac computers.
“The other reason is to ensure your work is portrayed accurately, especially true for 3-dimensional work. If there is something you particularly want a juror to see, consider close-up views, but first check the entry specifications to learn if they are accepted. Do not enter more images than the exhibit asks for or you risk having our work eliminated.
She adds, “It is likely that your work will be reviewed solely by your images. Rarely is any additional information given to a juror other than medium and dimensions (i.e. resume, artist statement and sometimes even title). Your images should stand on their own merits and not require interpretation or explanation.”
- If you enter more than one work make sure you demonstrate a cohesive level of quality, style and vision.
- Label your entries correctly, according to the specifications outlined on the prospectus.
- If you use a different artist name than your legal name explain that on your entry form and all materials.
- Include all additional materials that are requested such as your biography or resume, artist’s statement and other documents.
- Protect your entry. Use a plastic sleeve for slides and a jewel case for your CD. Use protective padding with your envelope.
- If you want your entries returned supply a return envelope of the proper size, with your address, and sufficient postage.
- Provide easy access to contact you. Obtain an email address. That may be the only method the competition sponsor uses to announce the results to entrants.
Hedge Your Bets
In deciding which juried shows are appropriate for you and your work exercise judgment and be selective. Use legitimate resources that carefully monitors listings. Then read all the details in the prospectus and consider these questions:
- How will this exhibition impact your career? Will it attract buyers? Will it receive media or print coverage? What other benefits would you receive if selected?
- Is the exhibition regional, national or international?
- How many awards and types of awards will be given? If there is a purchase award will it cover the value of your work?
- Is your entry an appropriate fit for the theme or media requested?
- How many artists will be chosen?
- Must works be available for sale? What commission will the sponsor take in sales?
- Where will the exhibition be held? Is it in a well known venue or an obscure location? Is the exhibition in a brick and mortar gallery or on the Internet?
- What will be the extent of promotion and advertising?
- When will the exhibition be held? Is it a favorable time of the year?
- Do they require that artists hand deliver their work?
- Do they use an “in house” pre-selection process or will the official jurors see all of the entries?
- Is the organization/sponsor a valid organization with a website and full details supplied in the prospectus?
Watch for Warning Signs
Not all juried competitions are legitimate. Sometimes they are ploys to sell you marketing programs and vanity exhibitions. Here are some warning signs to look for:
- The prospectus is unprofessionally written and/or poorly printed.
- The telephone number is not listed.
- A post office box is supplied for an unknown institution.
- The names of the jurors are not stated or they do not have professional credentials.
- When contacted the organizers will not supply satisfactory information about previous competition entries, winners and cash prizes.
- In addition to the entry fee there are hanging fees, reception costs, and other expenses.
- If the material appears to look professional but the organization is unknown, you should still be prepared to research the organization and ask for references. Check the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Attorney General’s Office and regional and national arts organizations. If the sponsor claims to be a foundation, research their name on The Foundation Center website at http://foundationcenter.org/.
If You Win
- Add the exhibition and/or award to your resume and website, including the names and positions; of the jurors.
- Announce it in an Email News to your collectors, prospective collects, agents and galleries that represent your work.
- Send out a press release to the media.
- Attend the exhibition press opening / artists’ reception.
- Frame and display the award in your studio.
- Obtain any positive quotes by the judges or sponsors, specifically related to the winners’ selections.
- Give thanks. It is recommended that you send a thank you note to the jurors after receiving notice about your award. At that time you may include a package of your presentation materials. If you don’t have the judge’s home address at least send it to their institution.”
- Don’t change prices. Make sure the prices you provided on the entry form are the prices you place at the exhibition.
If You Lose
As a member of many juror panels I know that an entry that may get rejected in one competition may win the top prize in another. As objective and democratic as a juror may try to be, aesthetic taste is a definite factor.
Remember, if it’s all about luck, the definition I use is, “Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity”, so be prepared, professional and pay attention to the details and the odds will be in your favor.
Renée Phillips, The
Artrepreneur Coach, counsels artists worldwide in private consultations
and group workshops. She is the author of several art and business
books and presents talks and keynote speeches. She is the founder and
Director of Manhattan Arts International (www.manhattanarts.com). is a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA). Her many articles and advice to artists can be found at www.manhattanarts.com/readingroom/index.htm and www.renee-phillips.com.
You may e-mail Renée brief questions at renee@renee-phillips.com
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