Prospectus

APPLICATION INFORMATION

SHOW:
The annual Smithsonian Craft Show is a juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American crafts. Three jurors who are experts in the field and newly selected each year choose 120 artists from a large pool of applicants. Previous exhibitors must re-apply each year. No one is grandfathered into the show or given preference. Craft artists are selected on the basis of the originality, artistic conception, and quality of their work.
The show is produced by the Smithsonian Women's Committee to benefit the Smithsonian Institution's education, outreach, and research programs.
The Show does not charge sales commissions.

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND FEES:

Electronic applications: By October 6, 2008.
The non-refundable fee for applying electronically is $50, payable online by credit card.
A late fee of $125 must be included for electronic applications received after October 6, 2008. Late electronic entries will not be accepted after October 9, 2008.
Mailed applications: mailed applications must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2008. The non-refundable fee for applying by mail is $75 ($50 application fee + $25 to cover cost of scanning and entering data into electronic jury program) payable by check to the Smithsonian Craft Show.
A late fee of $125 must be included for mailed applications postmarked between September 16, and September 24, 2008. Mailed applications postmarked after September 24, 2008, will be returned unopened.

DATES OF SHOW:
April 23-26, 2009
Preview Night Benefit: April 22, 2009

LOCATION:
National Building Museum, 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Judiciary Square Metro Station (Red Line)

ELIGIBILITY:
All work submitted to the Smithsonian Craft Show must be created and made in the United States.
The Smithsonian Craft Show encourages artists to continue to grow and stretch the limits of their media and is committed to presenting the most thoughtful, original, and skilled American craft objects. Throughout the history of craft, exploration of new technology has frequently been a part of craft practice. We recognize that new technologies such as computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) are increasingly prevalent in the designing and/or making of contemporary studio crafts. And, while the Smithsonian Craft Show is primarily looking for one-of-a-kind objects and limited production work that has been conceived and perfected by the artist's own hands and created in the artist’s studio, we accept the use of CAD/CAM and other industrial techniques and subcontracting in conjunction with hand processes. The committee and jury rely on the honor of the applicants to submit work in which these processes are simply tools, and have not become the driving force in the creative process.
Only U.S. residents who make their work in the U.S. are eligible to compete.
Acceptable media categories: basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood.
Unacceptable media categories: Paintings, prints, graphics, photography, mass-produced work, soap, or objects made from commercial kits. In addition, works that incorporate materials and or parts acquired from the killing of endangered species (e.g., feathers, tusks), elephant ivory, dried or silk flower arrangements, bonsai, embellished commercially-made objects (e.g., t-shirts, note cards, etc.) do not qualify.

AWARDS:
In recognition of outstanding work, the Smithsonian Women's Committee presents cash awards for Excellence, Merit, and Honorable Mention, as well as Exhibitors' Choice Awards.

TO ENTER:
Each applicant must submit an application, a non-refundable fee, and five (5) images for consideration by the jury. The images must be fully representative of the work you will sell at the Craft Show. Craft artists who work together may apply as one if they collaborate on every piece of work.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES:
If you enter in more than one medium, you must submit separate applications fees, and slides to each category for which you wish to be considered. If only one application is accepted, you may only exhibit work in that medium. An image of the same piece of work will not be accepted in more than one category.

ACCEPTANCE:
The 120 top applicants with the highest scores will be invited to exhibit. You will be notified of your status directly after the jury's decision. If you applied electronically, you may look up the status of your application(s) online by clicking on the Manage Application function of the Juried Art Services web site. If you did not supply an email addressee with your application(s), you will be sent a hard copy notification letter by early December.

EXHIBITORS' DIRECTORY
The Smithsonian Craft Show website will post a 2009 Exhibitors’ Directory as soon as jurying is complete. We will include the 5 images submitted by each artist, with titles and dimensions. Information and images will be taken directly from the Juried Arts website.
Therefore, please submit the following information accurately:
1. Your name as you wish to be listed;
2. Your preferred address;
3. Your phone numbers, website and email address;
4. Correct identification for your images.

BOOTH FEES:
2008 Craft Show booth fees ranged from $1250 to $1950, depending on size and location. 2009 Craft Show booth fees may be higher.
Craft artists who work together and who applied as one will pay only one booth fee. Otherwise, you must pay the full fee even if you choose to share a booth with another craft artist. Exhibitors must supply their own booth structures. The Smithsonian Craft Show will supply electrical outlets.

SECURITY:
The Smithsonian Craft Show provides security. However, you will exhibit all work at your own risk and should carry appropriate insurance. An overnight lock-up is available to jewelers for a minimal fee. The Smithsonian Women's Committee, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Smithsonian Craft Show will not be held responsible for damage, theft, or loss of your work or that of any other craft artist.

INQUIRIES:
Address all correspondence and inquiries to:
Smithsonian Craft Show
PO Box 37012
SI, Room 436, MRC 037
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Phone: 202-633-5006 or 888-832-9554
E-mail: austrpr@.si.edu
Web site: www.smithsoniancraftshow.org
The Smithsonian Craft Show complies with the American Disabilities Act to enable all craft artists to participate fully in the Craft Show.

ELECTRONIC AND MAIL APPLICATIONS:
To apply electronically, accept the Terms and Conditions specified above by clicking the "Accept Terms and Conditions" check box and then click Next. You will be taken to the online application. Applicants to the 2009 Smithsonian Craft Show may submit information and electronically scanned images by online application. Applicants who do not have electronic access may submit their applications by regular mail. The higher application fee for mailed applications covers the cost of scanning images into the electronic jury program. You may only apply online through this web site.

IMAGES:
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply electronically - it's easy! However, if you plan to apply by regular mail, you should know that we will no longer accept photographic slides for scanning. If you apply by regular mail, you should submit only the highest possible quality photographic 4” x 6” prints of the images you want us to judge.

ONLINE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:
Applications – as they will appear to the judges- can be reviewed for one week in October. Dates TBA.

NEW FEATURES:
Status review and editing function: You will be able to check your application after you have set it up in the system. This feature enables you to access your application and: 1) edit the copy submitted up until the jurying begins; 2) look to make sure your payment has been received (if it hasn't, please call the Smithsonian Women’s Committee office at (888) 832-9554; 3) find out the result of the jurying process (you will see an indication of whether or not your application has been accepted). You will also receive email or hard copy notification of your status.