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This section covers:
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The Art Fair is a major contemporary development in relation to selling art.
- There has been an explosion in art fairs in recent years.
- More than 200 international Art Fairs showcase contemporary art from art galleries and art dealers for art collectors from around the globe each year
- Art fairs run more or less non-stop - from a global perspective
- As a result Contemporary Art is becoming more event driven and less gallery based
- Artists need to produce art that sells to get chosen as an artist that art dealers/galleries take to an art fair.
- At a regional and local level there are numerous much smaller art fairs at which artists can represent themselves.
Image: Photograph of The Armory Art Fair in New York By Deddi Rose (Own work) [ CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Art Fair - from different perspectives
...fairs are a burden. No one can keep up. Worse, no one can afford not to, least of all galleries strapped for sales, publicity, and cash.
John Haber
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The Art Fair's perspective
Galleries and artists that want to participate in the higher end art fairs generally have to meet the criteria for the type of gallery/artist the Art Fair wants to see exhibited at a Fair. Typically, the larger and more prestigious contemporary art fairs only want art galleries and art dealers taking stands - and charge accordingly. Smaller and more parochial art fairs will allow artists to represent themselves on their own account - if they meet the quality criteria. |
The art collector's perspective
The major advantage for the buyer is that they:
This factor works at all levels of the art collecting community - which is one of the reasons why art fairs are so very popular. |
The Armory Show 2015
....we've reached out to an array of art professionals—from dealers and collectors to artists and journalists—to ask them to vent their grievances, gripes, and bêtes noires regarding outrageous collector behavior, looky-loos, pesky journalists, and other malefactors
ArtSpace
The Art Fairs - international, regional and local
Below you can check out which galleries exhibit at art fairs and hence could exhibit your work if you become a gallery artist
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Guides to Art Fairs - for collectors
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Guide to Art Fairs - for artists
See the Local Section below for details of the Facebook Group for Art Fair Buddies |
International Art Fairs frequented by Galleries
These are art fairs which are typically limited to art galleries representing artists. It's a means of making buying art from art galleries more efficient for the art collector - as they get to see much more of what's on offer in a shorter space of time.
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The Art Gallery's perspective
Presence at an Art Fair means they are recognised to be credible and now have another place to sell art. However this also means that they have less time to invest in the gallery shows at 'home'. and you are less likely to develop a client base that lives near your gallery - and thus become dependent on somebody else's operation for selling art. The gallery that participates in art fairs has to finance:
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The Artist's perspective on Gallery-oriented Art Fairs
Typically artists are at the larger and more prestigious art fairs because they are with an art gallery. Hence artists that attend art fairs with their galleries need to finance travel and hotel costs if they are there for more than one day. The locations of art fairs can mean this can be expensive. If you're an artist and not with a gallery you'll need to buy a ticket to attend. |
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Views about International / Contemporary Art Fairs
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Art Fair ARTVILNIUS (2014)
The Other Art Fair (2013)
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Gallery-based International Art Fairs
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Gallery-based - Affordable Art Fairs
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Artists Fairs - at a local and regional level
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This is the type of art fair that allows artists to take a stand and represent themselves - as long as they meet qualifying criteria for that particular art fair.
Always check out the organisation's experience of operating such fairs in other places and reviews of the operation online (artists and galleristas will make their views known if it was a disaster!) Beware of the Art Fair with no track record that promises more than it can deliver or breaches its contracts. Artists have to rent a space and then buy or rent a stand that meets the fair's requirements. You need enough stamina or people to be able to man the stand at all times (you can't rely on your neighbouring stands being reliable). Artists often take a camper van or use B&Bs for accommodation. The time taken for preparation is significant. Travel costs for non-local shows can be hefty. |
The common complaint that exhibitors make about art fairs is about Art Fair Organisers who start to get greedy, expand and then end up filling the fair with people who have not made the goods on show. It then becomes just another market and loses all the visitors which made it an initial success.
For you to get decent customers you need to know that the art fair has got:
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Are you ready for an Art Fair?
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If you're thinking about trying an art fair here are some things to think about
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REFERENCE
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Art Fair Buddies Facebook Group
You can get lots of practical advice about various Art fairs from the Art Fair Buddies Facebook Group.
This group is a collection of artists who want to share |
ESSENTIAL TIPS for First Timers at an Art Fair
This two page guide is based on tips from members of the Art Fair Buddies Facebook Group who I invited to tell me one essential tip for any first timer at an art fair. They came up with LOTS of tips which I then grouped according to the different themes which emerged which are:
Please share the URL but do not copy. 
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BEFORE you get to erect and complete your well presented stand - you have to move all your kit and all your stock to the art fair which is easier said than done. Do not underestimate how much needs moving - and try a trial pack first! Estate cars help as do boxes and bags to put all the very necessary bits and pieces in.
Thanks to Felicity Flutter for showing what it looks like on the way to her local art fair at 'The Cranbrook Art Show' in Kent
Thanks to Felicity Flutter for showing what it looks like on the way to her local art fair at 'The Cranbrook Art Show' in Kent
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Art Fair FAQs
I go to a lot of art fairs and I see a lot of great things happening.I also see a lot of things that make me cringe. I even get embarrassed for the artist. Luckily none of what I see is life-threatening and all of these miss-takes can be do-overs or do-betters.
10 Common Mistakes Artists Make at Art Fairs by Aletta de Wal
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Many artists share their views on Art Fairs in the Facebook Group Art Fair Buddies
FAQS: Two blog posts written by Michelle Geromel who wrote the Kindle book about art fairs (see below)
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How to Succeed at Art Shows and Festivals | Red Dot Blog - this is a post asking artists to provide tips from their own experience
Selling Art: Tips From An Art Fair Veteran | Mona Majorowicz - Tips about how to conduct yourself and covering:
This is about applying to Crafts Fairs - but many of the tip are identical How to apply successfully for a craft fair – behind-the-scenes insights from a judge - What the judges are looking for and what they talk about? What makes a successful craft fair application … or not? |
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Art Fair Equipment - PRACTICAL TIPS on art fair specifics
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Before contemplating applying for an art fair do check out the rules on what you can use to display your art.
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E-Z UP ES100S Instant Shelter Canopy
  This is the classic 10 x 10' booth in the US - with a roof and walls used by very many people who attend art fairs. They are not cheap to buy so you need to think seriously about whether you want to do art fairs before you invest.
Do make sure you erect it at home first rather than trying it out for the first time at the art fair! Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars by 167 customer reviews BUY THIS BOOTH E-Z UP ES100S Instant Shelter Canopy, 10 by 10', White
From Amazon.com |
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Do visit an art fair to look specifically at what tents and display equipment and lights people use for their stands.
Find out if they are happy with them and whether they would recommend a purchase - but do NOT ask questions when they are busy selling! |
REFERENCE
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Nicole Caulfield - exterior of her mobile art studio / gallery
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Interior of Nicole Caulfield's mobile art studio / gallery
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Tips from artists who show at art fairs
Take a tip from people who've done lots of shows as to what you need and what works best.
You'll find most of the practical tips come from craftspeople rather than artists however most good practices are common to both.
You'll find most of the practical tips come from craftspeople rather than artists however most good practices are common to both.
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Members of the Facebook Art Fair Buddies Group are very clear that garden type gazebos are NOT good enough for commercial duty.
They recommend
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EQUIPMENT REFERENCE (UK):
Recommended Pop Up Gazebo Suppliers (UK)
Recommended essential equipment
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These sites are written by an American artist who has been doing fairs for well over 20 years
- The Best Art Display Panels - shows various options and provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions
- Art Fair Equipment Essentials - Covers: securing your tent; sun and weather protection; electricity and lights; storage and organisation; money management and office essentials
This is a very sound batch of posts by experienced craft artist Luann Udell - which have as a common title Good Booths Gone Bad. Luann is very experienced at showing at art fairs - and she's been at League of NH Craftsmen’s 75th Annual Fair all week. Here's a sample You can find her two e-books about booths at art fairs below
Good Booths Gone Bad by Luann Udell
Create the best craft environment for showing your work
Create the best craft environment for showing your work
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Luann Udell has provided a ton of advice about selling art and going to art fairs on her blog.
She's now compiled it all in one place in a handy ebook (readable on Kindle) These are lessons - based on experience - about how to transform a truly awful booth into a good booth |
File Size: 1220 KB
Print Length: 140 pages Publication Date: January 8, 2014 Flip Page enabled Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 6 customer reviews BUY THIS E-BOOK |
Getting People Out of Your Booth by Luann Udell
Create a Craft Show Environment That Lets Your REAL Customers Shop
Create a Craft Show Environment That Lets Your REAL Customers Shop
For every person that actually buys your work, there will be a dozen folks, perhaps even a hundred, who have absolutely no intention of buying your work.
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You may have read that title twice - and yes that's what this book is all about - how to get rid of people from your booth!
It makes complete sense when you realise how many time wasters who have no intention of buying anything invade your art fair booth! Particularly the jerks, downers, whiners or the energy-vampires - all the people who can bring your art fair experience down. |
File Size: 442 KB
Print Length: 71 pages Publication Date: January 9, 2014 Flip Page enabled Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 8 customer reviews BUY THIS E-BOOK |
Local Art fairs in the USA
In the USA there are a lot of art shows at a regional and local level.
There's also a lot of 'knowledge' about those art fairs to be had from those who have previously exhibited. Art Fair Organisers annoy artists at their peril!
There's also a lot of 'knowledge' about those art fairs to be had from those who have previously exhibited. Art Fair Organisers annoy artists at their peril!
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REFERENCE: Local Art Fairs in the USA
See also the due diligence section for questions to ask before making a financial commitment. |
Old Town Art Fair, Chicago rated as one of the top art fairs in the USA
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Maple Grove's Main Street during the annual Maple Grove Day Art Fair