Here's another Art of the Call video podcast where we ask directors, artists and curators to talk about the call for entry process.



In this episode, Michael Corlew discusses the following:

Planning a call

Need an outline that shows dates, how long for the jury, how long to receive entries

Take lead time into consideration. For example if you want a show to be on the walls in April don't start in February because that won't work!

Getting entries from all over the country, even the world you need time to handle that, the number of entries you'll get will be greater than for just a local drop off show

Prospectus

Put it together so it's understandable to the lay person, the non techies.

Real plain english: the fee is so many $ for so many entries. Use written word and numeric layout

Sponsership

We need sponsorship - we're a non profit with zero paid staff

We're planning how to get sponsorships - economy has been tight lately

It's the connections and you have to have a plan

Entry fees

We don't look at a high number of dollars coming from the shows since many shows are free for the artists

We have a $200/y fee for members to show in the gallery

Members and non members can apply - just has to be juried in

We like to have images for sale so we can make profit that way

Emerging vs professional artists

We have a youth program having a print review night

We have specialized photographers, old school, alternative process photographers

The call

You need someone to answer the questions

Have it clear that people can edit their entries after they submit - and it always happens in the last 3 days.

Information must show contact person, email and phone number.

The call deadline

At the end of a weekend so they have all day Saturday and Sunday to work on it

Weeknights when people are working they may not be able to finish it

Be flexible

Juror

Has to be knowledgeable, respected in the field with credentials - not necessarily local, but they have to be known

Our cell phone show had a juror from New York - works great online

The need time to look at images

Hanging the show

We have a spreadsheet that goes to the hanging crew

Curator decides where things are hung.

We come in on a Sunday, take the last show down, patch the walls, package the show

When gallery opens on Tuesday, the new show is up.

The curator will work with the installation crew

We have a diagram of the facility

What's success?

When the public tells you it's successful

Membership has doubled so what we're doing has been successful

Hard to sell photography, it's a matter of getting the right people