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 September 14, 2012.

The non-refundable fee for applying electronically is $50, payable online by credit card. NOTICE: You must be prepared to pay for your application at the time you fill out the online application.

A late fee of additional $25 must be included for electronic applications received after September 15, 2012. Late electronic entries will not be accepted after September 22, 2012.

DATES OF SHOW:

April 25-28, 2013

Preview Night Benefit: April 24, 2013

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. More recently, repurposed materials, including found objects, as well as new objects given new uses and meanings, are being used as an art medium. Artists who incorporate repurposed materials are encouraged to specify this in their statements. 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. The Smithsonian Craft Show is looking for one-of-a-kind and limited edition objects that have been conceived and perfected by the artist's own hands and created in the artist’s studio. The committee and jury rely on the honor of the applicants to submit work in which CAD/CAM and other industrial techniques 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 or mammoth ivory, dried or silk flower arrangements, bonsai, embellished commercially-made objects (e.g., t-shirts, note cards, etc.) do not qualify.

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee reserves the right to examine applicants’ web pages and any available documentation to determine that an artist is in compliance with the terms of our application.

AWARDS:

In recognition of outstanding work, the Smithsonian Women's Committee presents cash awards for Gold, Silver and Bronze levels of distinction, Excellence in select categories as well as Exhibitors' Choice Awards.

TO ENTER:

Each applicant must submit an application, a non-refundable fee, and five (5) electronic images for consideration by the jury. The images must be fully representative of the work you will sell at the Craft Show.

Minimum image resolution should be 300 dpi and 1400-2000 pixels on the longer dimension. Artists are encouraged to update their portfolio with new images and consider improving the quality of previously submitted images to meet these specifications.

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:

EXHIBITORS' DIRECTORY

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.

The Smithsonian Craft Show website will post a 2013 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 Art Services 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:

As a reference, 2012 Craft Show booth fees ranged from $1,275.00 to $1,950.00, depending on size and location of the booth. 2013 Craft Show booth fees may be slightly adjusted.

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

MRC 037 PO Box 37012

SIB Room T472

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 APPLICATIONS:

You must be prepared to pay the application fee at the time you fill out the online application, and accept the Terms and Conditions.

IMAGES:

ARTIST STATEMENT:

All applicants are required to submit an artist statement limited to 500 characters. Include use or application of environmentally friendly materials and techniques in your work if applicable.

ONLINE REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:

Applications – as they will appear to the judges – can be reviewed until September 23, 2012

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 September 23^rd; 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 notification of your status.