Prospectus
We invite you to apply to Ford Arts, Beats & Eats, presented by Citizens Bank, in downtown Royal Oak, MI, on Labor Day weekend. As we light up the candles for our 16th birthday, the event promises to be an exciting one, celebrating the end of summer in metro Detroit. We play host to over 400,000 visitors who come to enjoy the amazing diversity of art, music and food in a cool urban setting. Ford Arts, Beats & Eats is held in Oakland County, which is the third-wealthiest county in the nation, containing cities such as Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Rochester.
The 145 artists chosen to participate come from across the country to join our celebration. Being an art fair artist is a demanding business. A professional staff awaits your arrival and we look forward to welcoming you with perks such as vigorous volunteers, easy set up and take down, cash awards, free food tickets and personal attention to particular needs. Based on the feedback of our artists, many changes were made after the 2011 festival. We revised the layout and reduced the number of artists, among other enhancements, leading to positive reviews and more consistent sales in 2012.
Our promotion, guaranteed by generous media sponsor support, is considered among the best of art festivals nationwide. You cannot be in the metropolitan Detroit area on Labor Day weekend without seeing specials about the arts activities on television, hearing artists’ interviews on numerous radio stations and seeing comprehensive feature articles in the press, directed solely to the juried fine arts show.
You will be asked to provide four digital images of your work and one digital image of your booth.
We know you are aware of the challenging economic times throughout the nation and in Michigan, but we want to reassure you that we are committed to meeting your needs and bringing you the audience you deserve. Our many thanks to the fine artists who have helped keep this vibrant festival going. We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing our Sweet 16th celebration with you!
2013 CALENDAR
- March 31st: Online Applications due by 12:00 (midnight) EST.
- April 15th – April 22nd Jury Process
- May 1st: Notifications e-mailed and listed on juriedartservices.com
- June 1st: Payment of all fees due in full
- July 22nd: Deadline to cancel and receive refund (less $50 administrative fee).
- August 29th: Artist set-up
- August 30th – September 2nd 16th Annual Arts, Beats, Eats – Royal Oak
LOCATION
Downtown streets of Royal Oak, Michigan. Nowhere else in metro Detroit will you find a greater concentration of award winning boutiques, restaurants, salons, galleries and theatres.
BOOTH INFO
Each artist is provided a 10’ x 10’ exhibition space, including electricity. Booths are assigned by the Art Director. Participants are expected to bring their own canopy, display booth, display racks, lights, extension cords and any booth support materials.
ATTENDANCE
Approximately 400,000 people projected over the 4-day weekend, based on last year’s attendance, promotional media, event programming, reasonably good weather, and our wonderful location.
ADVERTISING
More than 1.5 million dollars in promotional advertising on radio, television, and print medium. In addition, the event will be promoted on posters, flyers and in the newsletters of participating charities.
ARTIST AMENITIES
- 24 hour security
- Free exhibitor parking
- Vehicle loading and unloading at booth space
- Artist lounge with restroom facilities
- Complimentary food and beverage tickets
- Electricity included in booth fee
- Artist award breakfast on Sunday morning
- Complimentary postcards provided for artists to send to their patrons
- Discounted rate at a nearby hotel
- $7,500 in prize money
DIGITAL ONLINE JURY PROCESS
- 145 artist spaces available
- Artist applicants remain anonymous
- Five images are projected at the same time
- Scoring is 1 (low) to 7 (high)
- Scoring is based on originality and creativity, design, technique, craftsmanship, and production methodology
- All scores are combined and averaged
IMAGES
All work to be exhibited must be represented in your images. Submit a total of five (5) images: four (4) of individual pieces which accurately represent the body of work to be exhibited, and one (1) of the booth display containing artwork. Detail images are acceptable.
MEDIUM CATEGORIES
- CERAMICS: Original work in which the primary material is clay.
- DIGITAL ART: Includes any original work in which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using the computer. Work must be editions, signed and numbered, on archival papers, inks, and emulsions.
- DRAWING/PASTELS: Original works made with pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel or chalk.
- FABRIC/FIBER/LEATHER: Work of primarily fiber, including clothing, quilts, rugs, dolls, soft sculpture, baskets, brooms, etc., made by the artists. No ready-made clothing will be permitted.
- GLASS: Original works in which the primarily used material is glass. Including stained, leaded and brown glass.
- GRAPHICS/PRINTMAKING: Hand pulled original prints (signed and numbered limited editions) ONLY are acceptable in the printmaking category.
- JEWELRY: Jewelry made from precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, enamel glass, clay, fiber, paper, wood or other materials.
- METAL: Functional metalwork.
- MIXED MEDIA: 2-D and 3-D work incorporating more than one material, including collage, hand-made paper.
- PAINTING: Painted works made with oil, acrylic, watercolor or other pigments.
- PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographers are encouraged to do their own printing. Their printing process must be disclosed. The category includes hand-colored, Polaroid transfers, emulsion transfers, etc., these works are not to be included in Mixed Media.
- SCULPTURE: Non-functional, 3-dimensional works in any medium.
- WOOD: Original work, hand-tooled, carved or machine-worked of primarily wood. The use of automatic machines is NOT acceptable.
STANDARDS AND RULES
- We are looking for true, hands-on fine art, in which the artist is the originator of the work submitted and exhibited.
- Any reproductions must be signed and numbered limited editions, and must be limited to 25% of work shown. All reproductions, whether framed or unframed, must be clearly and individually labeled “reproduction” or “limited editions reproduction”.
- Artists must be present with their work for the entire 4 days of the event. If the work is collaborative, each collaborator must be present.
- No commercial agents, dealers or manufactures may attend in place of the artist.
- All artists must check in at registration upon arrival. Photo ID is required.
- Unacceptable Practices: Kits, molds, dried or silk flowers, green-ware, embellished objects and ready-made clothing will not be accepted for exhibition.
- All work displayed must be consistent with slides submitted. A ny work that is not consistent with the jury images, or does not comply with the standards outlined above may not be exhibited.
NOTE Artists wishing to exhibit work produced in more than one media category must submit an application and jury fee for each category. Only one exhibitor booth fee is necessary, even if the artist is selected to exhibit works produced in multiple media. Only one application may be submitted per body of work represented. Multiple applications must represent either work in different media categories or distinctly separate bodies of work within one category. Artists whose work is selected in multiple media categories must still exhibit in one booth space. Ford Arts, Beats & Eats reserves the right to refuse any application.
DATES AND TIMES
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Friday August 30th: 11am – 9pm
Saturday August 31st: 11am – 9pm
Sunday September 1st: 11am – 9pm
Monday September 2nd: 11am – 5pm
APPLICATION FEE
- $25 This fee is Non-refundable. A separate application and fee is required for each category.
BOOTH FEE
- $490 per 10’ x 10’ booth space (includes electricity) Subtract $25 from your total booth fee if you were a 2012 Exhibitor with Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.
- $100 corner space assigned upon request, if available. (PLEASE NOTE: Corner fees must be paid on a separate check or via a separate PayPal transaction). Corners are not guaranteed until assigned by the art director and checks are not deposited until after the layout is finalized. If you do not receive a corner booth, corner fees will be returned.
- $980 for double booth fee assigned upon request, if available. Subtract $25 from your total booth fee if you were a 2012 Exhibitor with Ford Arts, Beats & Eats.
- If booth fees are not received within 30 days of notification of acceptance, the Festival will consider the Exhibitor’s contract null and void and proceed to the next highest score in the Alternates category.
UPON ACCEPTANCE, PLEASE SEND
- Booth fee, corner fee, double booth fee payments
- Signed and completed contract.
- A copy of current photo identification.
- One-page resume, artist statement, or description of artistic process, for promotion enhancement (this may be sent to lisa@artsbeatseats.com)
Make all checks payable to Arts, Beats & Eats
Mail to:
Lisa Konikow–ARTS
c/o Arts, Beats & Eats
17 Water Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
REFUND POLICY
- Administrative Fee: $50 if an artist cancels prior to July 22, 2013.
- Refunds: Booth Fees are not refundable after July 22, 2013.
AWARDS
$7,500 will be given in cash to awards where excellence is determined, regardless of media category. Awards will be made for the entire presentation of the artists.
SALES
Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting 6% Michigan Sales Tax. Tax forms will be provided. Arts, Beats & Eats does not require an artist to pay commissions.
MISSION STATEMENT
Arts, Beats & Eats was founded to celebrate the quality of life in Oakland County, and features a showcase of world-class fine artists, restaurants, musical acts and family entertainment. The festival is committed to culture and diversity in its presentation, being affordable to all members of the community, and is focused on operating with an environmentally friendly focus. Proceeds from Arts, Beats & Eats will be divided among local non-profits. In its first 15 years, the Festival has donated over $3.8 million to local charities.