How to Organize and Curate a Successful Group Art Exhibition

http://emptyeasel.com/2013/01/22/how-to-organize-and-curate-a-successful-group-art-exhibition/

How to Organize an Art Show

Trying to create/organize an art show can be very difficult if you don't know what you're doing. By following these tips and steps, you'll be putting on an art show in no time!

http://www.wikihow.com/Organize-an-Art-Show

an entire gallery full of your artworks with crowds of people looking at them admiringly and ready to part with a sizable amount of cash to take them back to their own homes. Does this sound like a dream? Does this sound like something you would like to do? If the little superstar in your head is now screaming ‘Yes, Yes, Yes!!!’ then read on.

 

In this series of articles on setting up and running your first art exhibition we dive into all the stuff we need to think about before we pop the cork on the champagne and declare the exhibition open. We get the hard decisions out of the way up front so that you’ll know up front that you have a better chance of success.

 

This series contains the combined knowledge of my wife and myself (we are both artists and creativity professionals) about organising and running art exhibitions. We’ve run many art shows, some fantastically successful where hundreds of people turned up and bought tens of thousands of dollars worth of art, and some where the profit we received was in the education we gained of how to be smarter the next time. We learnt on our feet just by getting out there and doing it, and hopefully I can now save you some time (not to mention thousands of $$$) as you head towards your glorious exhibition opening night!

You’ve made the decision, you’re strapped in, ready for blast off, fame and fortune awaits. “Come on Stuart, get me to the good stuff now (and quickly!)” I hear you say.

Hold on there cowboy! We’ve got to touch base with reality for just a little while longer before you head for the stratosphere.

Let’s get the hard stuff out of the way first!

Before you waste any more time and money on this whole crazy scheme you need to dig deep and discover:

• Is your art any good?

and once you’ve completely banished any self doubt and are convinced of your genius we ask the obvious question:

• Do you have enough art for an exhibition?

Even though as an artist you sometimes like to hide away, lost in your own wonderful world of creativity, at some stage you’ll have to emerge and find real people to invite to your art exhibition in order that they can buy the wonderful things that you make, so you’d better discover:

• How to promote your art exhibition with a mini portfolio
• How to make a mini art portfolio
• and How to get people to almost beg for your business card

and if you’re still lounging on the couch thinking about creating all that art for your night of art fame and stardom then actually booking a venue and setting a time and date for your exhibition might be a good way to get you motivated, so head on over to:

• Where to hold your first solo exhibition

On opening night you need some important people to come along and sing your praises to everyone else so…

• Find a famous friend to open your exhibition

and don’t forget you’ll need some other people to come along and fill the room, preferably with cash or credit card in hand, so you will need to know:

• How to have a massive art exhibition opening night

Once you’ve got everyone at your exhibition you don’t want to miss a single opportunity so you might need some tips on:

• How build a marketing list at your exhibition

Just in case there is absolutely anything I have forgotten in the above then make sure you read:

• Your Art Exhibition Checklist

• Your Art Exhibition Checklist

  Posted by Stuart Wider14 Comments

  This is a checklist things you need to think about when putting on your own art show. If you take the time to prepare up front your show will come across as slick, well organised and professional, which in turn gives potential buyers of your art confidence.

   

  Getting your artwork ready for the show

  Photograph your art work. Once it gets purchased then you might never see it again!

  Frame your artwork if required. Allow plenty of time for your picture framer to do a quality job.

  Make sure all your artworks are suitable for hanging or display with strings and D-rings attached.

  Wrap your artworks up ready for transportation. Buy bubble wrap in bulk lots from a packaging wholesaler or supplier. Don’t buy small rolls from your office supplier. or you will pay too much.

  Blankets are a cheap alternative but not as neat.
  Arrange a truck, hatchback or station wagon to transport your works.

  Certificates of Authenticity. Make one for each artwork. Have a special rubber stamp made up to use with the certificate. It looks great and buyers love them.

  Sponsorship

  • Consider bringing in other businesses to sponsor your exhibition.
  • Feature them prominently on your exhibition catalogue.
  • Ask businesses to sponsor lucky door prizes.
  • Make sure you mention the sponsors clearly for each prize draw they sponsor.
  • You may even be able to get sponsorship for catering.
  • Arrange goodie bags for each exhibition attendee containing sponsor leaflets, any freebies and your business card.

  Recording the event

  • Arrange a photographer
  • Arrange a video camera operator
  • Contact press photographers and ask them to come along

  Hanging your exhibition

  • Measure the exhibition space and plan how you will hang you artworks.
  • Does the space need themeing or decorating in some way to give it extra pizazz?
  • Make sure you have hanging equipment suitable for the space you will be displaying in. You may need to investigate the space closely to figure out how you will hang the works if it’s not a gallery with built in rails.
  • In some spaces without obvious wall hanging opportunities you may have to hire in stands from an exhibition hire company.
  • When you deliver your artworks to the venue, lean them against the wall directly underneath where you will be hanging them, so you can get a feel for the layout and your hanging assistants will get a better idea of what they are doing.

  Formalities

  • Create a ‘running order’ for the show, which details the timing of events on the opening night. Distribute it to everyone involved in the show.
  • Invite a VIP person to open the show for you.
  • Brief your VIP with things they might like to mention.
  • Appoint an MC who will introduce both the VIP, yourself and any other speeches or exhibition events.
  • Prepare a speech. People will want to hear from you the great artist!
  • Announce any prize draws at least twice during the night.
  • What are your show opening and closing times. Decide up front how log the show will go for.

  The Entertainment

  • What nibblies will you provide?
  • What drinks will you provide? Remember to provide both alcoholic and soft drinks. I once had a slushie machine and added spirit to the mix. Instant self service cocktails!
  • Hire in professional caterers if you haven’t got time to do it yourself.
  • Hire professional wait staff or get some friends in to assist with serving.
  • Do you need musicians, a DJ or at least someone to change a carefully chosen CD once in a while?

  Sales

  • Create lables for every artwork containing the title, price, medium and size.
  • Try and have artworks priced in various ranges, so that everyone has an opportunity to buy something.
  • Get some red stickers for artworks sold on the night.
  • Try and have some artworks that are hanging but have been presold before the opening night with red dots on them. It gives people confidence and encourages them to buy.
  • Appoint sales assistants and let them know how to process sales
  • Set up a system for receipting. This could be as simple as a carbon copy receipt book.
  • Keep details of all prices handy for your sales assistant.
  • Have a till or cash tin and keep it secure
  • Provide credit card processing facilities if you can. People are more likely to impulse buy if they can whack it in their credit card. If you are serious about this business then you should arrange a merchant account with a bank so you can process credit cards.
  • Be prepared to provide shipping and packaging costs. Some people will not buy unless they know these things up front. Your freight company should be able to provide a table. Estimate packaging weight and size for each artwork before the exhibition so you can quote quickly.
  • When someone seems interested in buying, don’t be afraid to ask for the sale. “Would you like to take this artwork home with you tonight?”
  • If a person wants to negotiate, state your price with confidence and then shut up! Let the buyer make the next move and then lead the sale to a conclusion. “How would you like to pay for that?”

  Things not to do

  • Don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take to hang your exhibition.
  • Don’t be a diva. If things aren’t going right, negotiate gently. Just because many legendary artists were quite temperamental doesn’t mean you have to be.
  • In your speech, if you stuff up and miss some important things you wanted to say don’t let everyone know by fluffing around. Nobody knows what you are about to say other than you and any stuff ups you make will probably go unnoticed anyway.
  • Don’t get drunk. It’s easy to do as you will be running on adrenalin and people will keep serving you drinks as you are the most important person there.
  • Don’t ignore people or be shy. It’s your party. People want to know and meet you.
  • Don’t get caught up talking to one person. You need to circulate. Pay special attention to potential buyers and VIP’s though.
  • Don’t get depressed if people are not buying your artworks on the night. People sometimes have to think about an expensive purchase. Follow up any leads after the show.
  • Don’t make artworks that can only be sold as a set. People are contrary and will often just want one.
  • Don’t fluff around when people ask you the price of an artwork. Know your prices. State them clearly with conviction. Your confidence will tell the potential buyer that your artwork is worth what you are asking.
  • Don’t forget to thank everyone who was personally involved in helping to put on your show.