ARtists:
Please click { HerE } to take the open studios 2007 survey. This Survey is used by open studios funders and must be completed by NOVEMBER 30, 2007.
OR if you prefer a paper survey... { Download pdf of artists survey.} Complete and mail to the Artists Coalition by December 3.
Rememer artwork MUST be picked up by November 17.
OPEN STUDIOS 2007 ARCHIVE
OPEN STUDIOS FOR ARTISTS
Why does the Kansas City Artists Coalition spend so much time and effort on Open Studios? To create and develop audiences for artists work. This popular event is your chance to use the Artists Coalition's marketing efforts to increase your audience and develop an audience that is deeply supportive and interested in your work.
HOW DO SALES WORK?
The Kansas City Artists Coalition will take a 30%
sales commission on works sold in the Open Studios Preview Exhibition.
The Artists Coalition will not take a sales commission of work sold from your studio. If you
have a relationship with a gallery, review your contract and follow your
agreement. Artists who will be paying gallery commissions may wish to
explore ways that you and your gallery can work together on this event.
WHAT CAN I DO TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE?
Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. In 2004, artists who self-promoted,
above and beyond the Kansas City Artists Coalition's marketing campaign, were the ones who enjoyed
success in terms of the number of studio visits and/or sales. Even before the arrival of your open studios weekend, there's alot you can do to prepare for a successful event. Promote your studios by advertising in neighborhood newspapers, community boards, flyers and bulletins. You can also get together with other artists in your area and collaborate on signage, postcards or press releases. It is not only a great way to meet other participating artists, but is also a good way to maximize your marketing efforts. These resources can help you to find participating artists in your area and their studio locations.
{ open studios maps }
{ open studios participating artists }
Artists’ Sales of ARTNOW
You may purchase the ARTNOW book for resale at the $19.95 retail price.
To get books;
Determine how many books you think you can sale.
Pick-up and pay for the books at the Artists Coalition October 27 – November 2, 11-6pm and November 6-9, 11-6pm. You can also pick them up, Friday November 2 until 8pm.
Books MUST be paid for at time of pick-up.
NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS ON CREDIT CARD PURCHASES.
NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS AFTER NOVEMBER 17
ARE THERE SIZE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE PREVIEW EXHIBITION?
Artists must be sensitive to the fact that many artists participate in
Open Studios and gallery space is limited. Each artist may have one piece in the preview. Try to pick a small piece that is
distinctive and representative of your work. Work must be
approximately 20” by 20” or smaller. Work must be delivered October 3-6.
All participating open studios artists will receive a set of 25 Open Studios postcards. These postcards will show the Open Studios logo. Artists may also purchase individualized { open studios postcards }. Sending postcards or other notices to your own mailing list is a great way to promote your studio and your work. If you don’t have a mailing list, this is the time to develop one. Try contacting other artists in your neighboorhood about sharing mailing lists.
Perhaps the most important decisions you'll make for Open Studios are choosing the images for your listing in the book and choosing the piece you will display at the Open Studios Preview Exhibition. Visitors will be choosing which studios they will visit based on one or both of these images.
On your open studios weekend make sure that do what you can to make things easy for your visitors. Be sure to label and price your work very clearly. Have postcards, business cards, and price lists available and give copies to everyone who visits. Have a variety of works on display in a range of sizes and prices. Having a helper with you in your studio to assist with sales and triffic flow can help ensure that no visitor is overlooked. Artists can also sell copies of the open studios book at your studio.
CAN I CHANGE THE HOURS THAT MY STUDIO IS OPEN?
You can expand them, but not limit them from 11-4pm. If you are showing
at an alternative space, the owner of the space will determine whether the
hours can be expanded.
OPEN STUDIOS IS CLOSED FOR 2007. TO PARTICIPATE IN 2009 WATCH THIS SITE.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO PARTICIPATE?
To be in Open Studios, you must apply to Open Studios at CaFÉ www.callforentry.org, bring one piece of artwork to the Kansas City Artists Coalition for the Open Studios Preview Exhibition, and open your studio to the public on the Saturday and Sunday of
you Open Studios weekend from 11-4pm.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE FOR PARTICIPATING?
That's a great question. As an Open Studios artist, you will receive a color image of your work in the Open Studios book. The publication will serve as Kansas City's who's who for visual artists.
In addition to your image, the publication will include directory
information and an artist statement. Your location will be shown on
maps of the city and your information will be cross-indexed for ease of use.
The publication will be sold in
bookstores, galleries, art supply stores, the Kansas City Artists Coalition and at select artist studios. The
guide will also be distributed to government officials, curators across the
country, and libraries, including the Library of Congress. Each participating artist will receive a complimentary copy of this publication.
One piece of your artwork will be included in the Open Studios Preview Exhibition at the Kansas City Artists Coalition. The exhibition will be open before and during Open Studios allowing the public to preview all the artists in one central location and select their list of must see artists. Artists will also be invited to the opening reception and book signing at the Kansas City Artists Coalition.
Artists will also receive free admission to all Kansas City Artists Coalition Artist Toolkits held to help plan your Open Studios weekend and make it successful and a set of 25 Open Studios postcards for your mailing list. These postcards will show the Open Studios logo. Artists may also purchase individualized { open studios postcards }
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO APPLY?
To apply to the call you first need to complete a free profile on CaFÉ and upload images. Then you go to CaFÉ Listings and select the call, which in our case is Open Studios. You will be asked several questions. Please complete all the questions. Go to checkout. You must select both a registration fee and image fee. Click recalculate. A coupon box will appear. Please enter the members coupon code here. If you are not currently a member, the full registration fee will make you one. Click recalculate again to adjust the fee. Then select your payment preference and submit. You will get a confirmation from CaFÉ after you have successfully completed and paid.
HOW MANY QUESTIONS DO I HAVE TO ANSWER?
Just the facts about your Open Studios location and contact information. Some basic information about your art work and and Artist's Statement will also need to be provided.
CAN I SAVE MY WORK ONLINE AND RETURN TO IT?
Yes, you can go in to CaFÉ, then leave and return to you profile and application later. Just remember to logout normally.
WHY WON'T MY IMAGE UPLOAD?
The most common reason is that you have the wrong size image. Before uploading, resize your image to 1920 x 1920 pixels. This will create a square "canvas" with your image centered. The "canvas" should be black. { download image prep } for more information.
HOW DO I GET MY ARTISTS COALITION MEMBER DISCOUNT?
As you are checking out, click recalculate after you have selected both the $50 registration fee and the fee for your image. When you click recalculate a box will appear where you will enter your coupon code. If you don't have a coupon code call 816.421.5222. We'll check your status and give you the code.
WHAT IF I ONLY HAVE A SLIDE?
Slides are no longer used by the Kansas City Artists Coalition. You will need to have an existing slide scanned or you will need to shoot your work with a digital camera.Traditional slides can be scanned and converted to digital format at most full service photo labs. It is better to have the original slide scanned because the color and detail has not been diminished from duplication. Most photo labs offer picture CD's that come with basic photo editing software (KODAK Picture CD) that saves images as JPEGs. You can also purchase a 35 mm scanner designed for scanning slides and digitize the image on your home computer.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE PHOTOSHOP?
Ask your friends, many people now have scanners. Most scanners come with image processing software, often Photoshop Elements. Other programs that can help you size your image correctly are Corel Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements & Microsoft Digital Image Suite.
OPEN STUDIOS CALENDAR
Monday, April 16
Early registration deadline
Wednesday, May 16
Registration deadline.
Artists must meet this deadline to be included in the Open Studios book
Monday, July 2
Late registration deadline.
Artists must meet this deadline to be included in the Open Studios newspaper marketing
