artists. ive heard many times that you should shy away from entering art festivals an art fairs why is that?

Question

ive heard it quite a few times now an dont understand, what do they mean when they say that?

Answer 1

Arts festivals can be lucrative depending on the product and price. It is important to know your audience whether displaying at a fair or gallery so this takes some leg work, ask questions and see what is selling and what is not. Be certain you will draw a profit after your time, fees and percentage of sales. A drawback may be the time involved...artists either have to pay someone to tend the booth or tend it themselves bringing the profit margin down again. I think artists may have found other places to display work that brings an income and frees them up to create instead of sell. Also, artists may want to place their work in a fine arts atmosphere with proper lighting, gallery or gift shop endorsement and alongside work that compliments their own. There is no guarantee where or what an artists work will be displayed next to at festivals. Artists just have to weigh the pros and cons...every artist has a different approach to marketing and success. What works for one may not work for another...hope this helps.

Answer 2

Who says?! I participate in arts festivals all the time. It can be a terrific opportunity to get better known and to network with other artists.

I'm talking about publicly funded art festivals where if your application is accepted they pay for at least some or all of your expenses, and sometimes give you a stipend, and the artist has to demonstrate for the public, and maybe do workshops. There are other kinds of arts events were you pay them, sometimes quite a lot of money even just for applying. I would consider that a rip off and probably not in your best interest.

Answer 3

there are quite a few artists known as "Starvin' Artists" and can't afford the rates it costs to rent a booth at a festival....usually you'll find some pretty renown artists at the fairs/festivals (taht have made good $$$ already in the past)...also the fairs/festival takes a small portion of your earnings in some cases...Also sometimes climates can effect some types of work(s) like sun, rain, humidity, etc.

Indoor Galleries are the prime spots for an artist to exhibit their work(s).

I know this is only part of the reason you hear that line...I've been featured in a couple of festivals...but never opened my own booth...for two to three day festivals, it can really be expensive to rent a spot....especially in major cities. Here in Columbus, Ohio we have a great festival every June and it costs anywhere from $12-1800 for a booth rental...for 2-1/2 days .....you go figure.

Answer 4

Yes and no - the thing is that you need to be careful about who has the rights to anything you enter into art CONTESTS (a lot of art fairs/festivals will have these as part of the fair) so that you don't accidentally sign away the rights to any profits for the artwork in question. Read the rules carefully before you enter any contest.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say to necessarily shy away from it, just know what you're getting into.

First of all, you have to pay an up-front cost to rent the stall. Usually they get a cut of your sales as well. So if you set up, you have to be able to expect to make enough money to make that worth your while.... not to mention the cost of whatever kind of canopy or shelving or display you need.

People come to those things mostly as entertainment, and most people who are really there to spend money are spending pocket money. It's true, you will be able to chat people up and make relationships with people who might be interested in your art in the future, but it's very difficult to make those sales. You have to prepare for a lot of rejection.

You CAN make sales, but you have to think of your art more as a product. You have to choose a real price point that people are going to pay, and be willing to experiment. It takes some good business sense, and willingness to make your art suit what will sell.

Curious about it? Find an art fair you like, and go walk around looking at what's there. While you're there, talk to some other vendors who look like they've been around awhile and have good presentation, and ask them what they've learned, and how they make money. Most of them will be more than happy to bend your ear with useful suggestions.

They're probably all tell you it's awfully hard work.

Answer 6

It depends on how you want your art to be perceived. For me, as a fine art painter that wants to be taken seriously by galleries, festivals and fairs are a waste of time.

My art is developed into a themed show, then presented to galleries to exhibit. I enter my work in national shows that catalog the winners, this is called being published. This is how I want to be perceived, as a gallery artist. I want my work to be seen and appraised by art critics, publications and collectors.

Festivals and fairs work for artists that can mass produce their work and sell it for an affordable price. For some artists, this is a great experience. They travel, meet people, show and sell their work to the general public.

As you develop as an artist, you will find the niche that is right for you. Think about how you would like your art to be presented, perceived and appreciated. Then go for it. good luck in your endeavors.

Answer 7

I've vended minerals and jewelry at festivals and fairs for years and come out very well, clothing does twice as good, what kind of art do u sell? u can do well if it is at a good price and is beautiful, i know a lot of glass blowers that do very well, and artists that draw amazing posters and things that do very good with prints at a low cost. they do say struggling artist for a reason, but people go to festivals and fairs to spend $. what do u make?

Answer 8

hmmm... ive never heard this myself, but i maybe would guess that it might be easy to get things stolen? i could definately be wrong, but otherwise i just think they are good ways to get yourself known so... what type of source did you hear it from... maybe question that a bit, well i guess you sorta are... ok sorry this is really a helpful answer huh? lol hope you get the answer your looking for, i will be stopping back to see cause i would definately like to know that myself!!!