The Personal Assistant Pro - I can help you!

Art Show Applications

Today I'm working on applications for art festivals. Since I'm currently working with three artists, my day will be spent applying for about 15 different shows - think of that as having 15 job interviews for which to prepare. I really do not know how an artist can accomplish all the required tasks necessary to win acceptance into one show, let alone the 15-30 shows an artist will do in a year!

Throughout the years, I've worked with countless promoters - most are fabulous and I always look forward to working with them. Today I have a few pointers for the applicant from Frank & Katelyn Maguire of ArtFest. They are very professional and personable - great to work with - and they always put on a great show!

• Follow the directions that are outlined in the application and make sure you clearly fill out the application.  
• If a promoter wants you to mail in SASE or a biography with the application form, make sure to do so.  
• If they ask for something, there is usually a reason even if you think it is pointless.  
• If a promoter wants certain payments in certain forms (many request a separate check for the processing/application fee), make sure to do it!  
• Also, make sure the promoter can READ your handwriting.  It may seem basic but it is important.  Failing to do so may disqualify you, delay your response/notification/status letters or prevent you from taking advantage of promotional opportunities.  
• If you have questions CALL or E-MAIL the promoter.  They are usually happy to help.

While there certainly are numerous other points to remember while working up an Art Fest Application, consider the basics a must!

Fine Art Show Promoter Offers Insight

One of the Promoters I've have the pleasure of working numerous art shows with is Dana Hale-Mounier of Pacific Fine Arts
www.pacificfinearts.com.

She and her husband, Troy, are possibly the nicest, most helpful people in the industry, so I asked if she would share her top 2 suggestions for artists:

1. Follow the show rules.

2. Be professional, flexible, positive, helpful and cooperative.

These sound simple enough, but being careful to follow these 2 thoughts can be the difference between being invited back to show again, or not.

Promoters are usually working with hundreds of different people for each show. Not only are there the artists and staff, but a promoter also needs to jump through various hoops to get everything coordinated for a fabulous art show.

So first comes the venue it's self - it could be a park, a main street, or a community center. Each type of location has different requirements, and different people to work with organizing each item.

Then there are artist applications and amenities. To produce a show with upwards of 100 artists, each application must be approved and the artist notified.

The artist amenities can vary from show to show, but usually provided are security and sanitation stations. These are just 2 more things for the promoter to accomplish for the show to be successful.

Whew, lots of work needs to be done for each event, and we haven't even considered the weekend of the actual show! Add to all that, a promoter like Dana produces an average of 25 shows per year.

So, it's easy to see why these 2 little suggestions carry a lot of weight for the promoter.

Flu season

Wow, the flu hit me, BIG TIME. I was down almost the full week. I'm playing catch-up now, and will get new blog entries up on Tuesday.
Ta-N