Artists - Welcome to the 2013 KIA Art Fair!

DATES/HOURS
Friday, June 7,
Saturday, June 8

INQUIRIES
Direct all inquires to:
Heather Ricketts
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 South Park Street
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
269/349-7775, ext. 3111
heatherr@kiarts.org

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

To see a complete list of who is participated in this year's art fair, click here.

ARTIST CALENDAR

Apply at ZAPP
Applications deadline: January 31, 2012, by Midnight (EST)
Artist notification: February 17, 2012 (via e-mail)
Booth fee deadline: March 30, 2012
Booth assignments available: April 9, 2012
Cancellation refund deadlines: April 16, 2012 (less a $25 administrative fee) / April 30, 2012 (50% refund)
Set up times: June 7, 8 am-1 pm
Art Fair times: June 7, 1-8 pm / June 7, 9 am-5 pm
Artist booth jurying: June 7, 1-7:30 pm
Artist awards announced: June 7, by 8 pm

LOCATION
The Art Fair is staged in downtown Kalamazoo's historic Bronson Park. The park is located adjacent to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and bordered by old churches and civic buildings. It is used regularly as a place for meetings, rallies, concerts, and community events. A lovely, tree-shaded, grass-filled space, the park is crisscrossed by six concrete pathways that lead to a central concrete plaza that is marked by two fountains.

AUDIENCE
Last year the fair drew nearly 40,000 patrons. We expect an even larger attendance this year. Fair-goers are a mix of local and regional residents who appreciate art. Promotion measures are focused on attracting residents from outside the region.

SIMULTANEOUS ACTIVITIES
The fair is a very popular local event. As such, several downtown activities have been started to overlap with the fair (and attract more patrons). They include a Greek food/entertainment fest and an arts and crafts show - both within two blocks of the fair (Friday-Saturday), Art Hop (Friday, 5-8 pm), a popular activity in which 60+ downtown restaurants and retail venues host artist and artworks. This year, all these events and the KIA Art Fair are being promoted simultaneously as the "kick off of summer in Kalamazoo." There will be promotional pieces, advertisements and signage that will include the KIA Art Fair. This cross promotion is expected to increase attendance.

CHANGES FOR 2013
Thanks to artist feedback from last year's Art Fair, we have altered the set up and selling times to accommodate artists needs, while maximizing exposure for key events, such as Friday's Art Hop. We have also reduced the number of artists showing in order to provide each artist with additional booth space. This year, a concerted effort was made to increase the quality and variety of art shown, so that we don't have too many in any one medium.

Expanded fair promotional measures aim to attract patrons from across Michigan and Northern Indiana. Entertainment meant to attract a crowd will now be featured on both Friday and Saturday. The increase in attractions and variety of entertainment from circus-like acts and a classic hot-rod car cruise should dramatically increase attendance and artist exposure to a wider variety of clientele. To keep updated on the latest news regarding the entertainment at the Art Fair, visit the Art Fair website, or friend us on Facebook.

This year's fair is being supported by a strengthened promotional plan that extends across Michigan. It includes the placement of highway billboards in St. Joseph, Kent and Jackson Counties, radio spots on Michigan Radio (NPR), and print and on-line ads, plus the distribution of fair fliers and posters across an area that spans all of Lower Michigan and parts of Northwest Indiana.

ART FAIR AWARDS
Art fair cash awards will be over $4,000.

First Prize: (1) $1,200 award
Second Prizes: (1) $600 awards
Third Prizes: (1) $300 awards
Category Prizes: (13) $150 awards

On-site jurying will review all artists booths on June 7, 1-7:30 pm. Awards will be issued June 7 during the artist dinner. A listing of winners (and booth numbers) will be inserted in programs that are handed out June 8.

To view a list of the 2012 KIA Art Fair Winners, click [].

ARTIST INFORMATION

190 exhibition spaces
Booth dimensions are 12' x12'. Most have additional space in back or on the side
Artists may pull vehicles into the park to set up booths
Free parking is available nearby
Artists hospitality amenities include:
Community dinner at the KIA - Friday, June 7, 8-10 pm
Coffee fruit and doughnuts in the park - Saturday, June 8, 7-8 am
Free water - Deliveries in the afternoon, Friday and Saturday
Booth sitters upon request
Private security officers during the fair
Three private security guards will patrol the park, 7 pm June 7 until 7 am, June 8
Electricity is not available and generators are not allowed
Artist fees:
$250 Booth and exhibition fee
$30 non-refundable application
Local hotels and motels are providing discounts for Art Fair artists.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Artists are encouraged to apply on ZAPP. There is a $30 application fee.

IMAGES
Five digital images are to be submitted with each artist application.
Four of the images must show the artist's work.
One image must display the artist booth, as it will appear at Art Fair.

JURY PROCESS
Artist jurying takes place in early February. Jurors will be four-five art professionals, who work as artists, educators and fine art and contemporary gallery owners. Jurors will be paid for their services.

Jurors will meet as a panel to review digital images submitted by artists and give scores to the artists. Images are grouped according to media.

Jurying is anonymous. Images are assigned a code number to ensure that jurors do not know the artist's name or any identifying details other that what is supplied by the artist. Ratings are based on creativity, uniqueness, concept and craftsmanship of the work in addition to the overall presentation shown in the booth's image. The jurors' scores are then compiled into an overall score to provide a ranking of the artists work in each category. Jurors are asked to justify their choices. After all images have been reviewed, a final viewing of the top choices in each medium will determine which artists are selected to fill openings in the fair.

Artist scores are reviewed by the art fair committee, which extends invitations. The committee may limit the number of artists accepted in some media in order to present a balanced show.

NOTIFICATION PROCESS
On February 18, 2013, the KIA Art Fair will send e-mails to all artists informing them of their status.

A number of 2012 KIA Art Fair artists will be re-invited to the 2013 fair. They will be given priority for booth assignments. Other booths will be assigned to artists on a first-come, first-served basis when fees are received.

ARTIST LISTINGS
Artists and their booth numbers will be listed in an Art Fair program that is handed out. Artists will also be listed on the Art Fair website's artist guide (with links to artist websites). Select artists will be profiled on the fair's Facebook page.

MEDIA
The KIA Art Fair features works grouped into the following media:

2-D Mixed Media
3-D Mixed Media
Fiber
Painting
Glass
Photography
Ceramics
Jewelry
Metal
Sculpture
Drawing
Pastels/Prints
Leather
Wood

RULES
Eligibility: the KIA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any artist for inclusion in the Art Fair in accordance with either the KIA Art Fair jury process and/or invitational procedures. All work must be designed and executed by the accepted artist (max. of two collaborators).

Artist Representatives: Artists are expected to be present in their booths. No spouse or representative will be permitted in place of the artist unless written permission is obtained from the KIA Art Fair management at least 15 days prior to the event.

Standard of Artist Work: Work that is shown must be original in conception and that of the artist(s) accepted. Objects make from commercial molds, kits or plans are not acceptable. Offset lithography may occupy not more that 25% of the booth space and must be clearly marked as reproductions.

Work Quality: Artists may show only work in categories approved by the jury, Work that is shown must be the same quality, type and medium as that accepted by the jury. In addition, it must meet the standard requirements of the Eligibility section above. The KIA Art Fair reserves the right to have work removed that is not consistent with the images submitted and quality standards of the fair.

Booth Location: Participating artists shall accept booth locations in Bronson Park assigned by the KIA Art Fair management.

Limitation of Liability: The artist agrees to make no claim for any reason whatsoever, including negligence against the KIA, its members, volunteers, employees of the City of Kalamazoo for loss, theft, damage, destruction of property or towing of vehicles, nor for any injury to artists or artist employees of invitees while present at the Art Fair.

Compliance with Laws: Artists must comply with all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in force.

Violation of Art Fair Rules: Artists booths will be visited periodically by Art Fair committee members to ensure rule compliance. If an artist is in violation of any rules, he/she may be asked to leave the fair. Persistent violation of the rules may jeopardize the right to participate in future KIA Art Fairs.

SALES INFORMATION
Artists retain 100% of their sales and are responsible for the collection and reporting of all applicable sales tax. Michigan's sale tax is 6%. For more information or to register for a tax license, visit the Sate of Michigan Treasury Department's website.