Prospectus

APPLICATION DEADLINE for both CRAFTBOSTON Spring & Holiday 2014 : September 19, 2013 (Deadline Extended!)

Presented by The Society of Arts and Crafts, Craftboston is New England’s twice-annual, premiere juried exhibition and sale of contemporary craft. Craftboston Spring and Holiday are well-established shows that draw impressive application pools and attendance. Artists are welcome to apply to one or both 2014 shows using this application.

CRAFTBOSTON Spring
April 4-6, 2014

Craftboston Spring is a selective display of 90 artists housed in The Cyclorama at The Boston Center for the Arts. A charming 19^th-century brick building, The Cyclorama is favored by exhibitors and known in Boston as a premier location for arts and culture events. Its small, in-the-round floor plan creates an intimate showing and shopping experience that naturally guides show-goers through the entire show. Located in Boston’s historic South End, the show is aligned with an area well known for rich cultural arts events, galleries, and organizations. Craftboston Spring’s small size ensures a strong show of top-notch workmanship that appeals to knowledgeable collectors.

CRAFTBOSTON Holiday
December 5-7, 2014

A competitive show comprised of 200 exhibitors, Craftboston Holiday is a highly regarded must-attend event for artists, collectors, and craft enthusiasts. Presented at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s affluent Back Bay neighborhood, Craftboston Holiday is conveniently located in a fashionable, concentrated shopping district. This easily accessible “Mecca” for holiday shopping draws large crowds that include tourists, a loyal local population, and shoppers from the affluent suburbs of the greater Boston area. The combined effects of the holiday season, this shopping and art savvy neighborhood location, and highly concentrated marketing efforts ensures a strong audience of buyers at Craftboston Holiday.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF ARTS AND CRAFTS

Incorporated in 1897, The Society of Arts and Crafts (SAC) is a nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of the American craft movement fostering the development, sales, recognition, and education of craft for 116 years. The mission of The Society of Arts and Crafts is to support excellence in crafts by encouraging the creation, collection, and conservation of the work of craft artists, and by educating and promoting the public appreciation of fine craftsmanship. Craftboston Spring and Holiday are mission-driven events produced by a reputably organized, personable, and accommodating staff.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

A qualified panel of three jurors is assembled each year to select artists making superlative work in baskets, ceramics, decorative fiber, wearables, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood.

Craftboston 2014 jurors:

• Ellen Wieske , Assistant Director, Haystack School of Crafts
• Kari Lonning , Basket Artist, Show award winner, Craftboston 2008
• George Summers , Retail Gallery Manager, The Society of Arts and Crafts

Waitlisted exhibitors are queued for acceptance based on their juror scores and media category. For each show, approximately 85% of artists will be selected through an open jury process and 15% will be invited by the jurors.

All images will be viewed using computer monitors. Applicants will be notified of jury selections on Juried Art Services and via email shortly after the completion of the jury process.

HOW TO APPLY

There is only one application and one deadline to apply to both Craftboston Spring and Craftboston Holiday. Artists are prompted to select one or both shows as they complete their application.

Artists are asked to please submit a total of five (5) digital images that best represent their work. Work will be juried based on originality, execution of design, technique and craftsmanship, creative use of materials, and aesthetic qualities.

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION

Craftboston strongly encourages both established and emerging artists to apply. Artists who are new to Craftboston will receive special signage and recognition in the program guide and on the show website.

Before applying, please make sure your work meets the following criteria:

1. All work must fit within an acceptable media category. Acceptable media categories include: baskets, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood. Categories not included: calligraphy, painting, photography, lithography, etc., except when incorporated into an otherwise acceptable craft category. All work must be original and made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools. Craftboston encourages one-of-a-kind and limited edition work.
2. No commercial reproductions of any kind are allowed. This includes embellished commercially made objects and works assembled (wholly or in part) from commercially available kits.
3. Artists are accepted for participation must be in attendance at their booth during the entire show. No agent, dealer, or representative may attend in place of the artist.
4. Collaborating artists are permitted, however, any representation other than a true, hands on artistic collaboration is not permitted.
5. Artists may only show work in categories selected by the jury. All work exhibited must be of the same body, quality, and category of work that was juried through digital images.

Please note: If individual or collaborating artists wish to apply in two different media categories, two separate applications and application fees must be submitted. If only one application is accepted, at least two-thirds of the exhibitor’s booth must contain the accepted media category.

SHOW FEES

Application Fee: There is a flat fee of $40 to apply to one or both shows. All application fees are non-refundable.

Craftboston Spring Booth Fees

Booths at Craftboston Spring range in price and size. The following are estimates of booth prices:

8’ x 6’: $780
10’ x 10’: $1,430
10’ x ’20: $2,760

** An additional $300 will be charged for corner booths. Some discounted booths are available.

Booth packages include:

• Electricity
• 8’ black pipe and drape
• Booth signage
• Storage
• Dedicated webpage for each artist with five color images and contact information
• Listing in the show program guide
• Free full-color marketing materials

Craftboston Holiday Booth Fees

8’ x 10’: $850
10’ x 10’: $1,075
10’ x 15’: $1,610
10’ x 20’: $2,150

**An additional $250 will be charged for corner booths. Some discounted booths are available.

Booth packages include:

• 8’ black pipe and drape
• Booth signage
• Storage
• Dedicated webpage for each artist with five color images and contact information
• Listing in the show program guide
• Free full-color marketing materials

Members of the The Society of North American Metalsmiths Guild (SNAG) are eligible to receive $35 off booth fees upon confirmation of membership.

MARKETING

Craftboston is publicized both regionally and nationally in a variety of print, radio, direct marketing and internet outlets including:

• Extensive advertising and public relations throughout metro Boston and New England
• Advertising in national craft magazines geared towards serious craft collectors
• Free full-color promotional materials
• Dedicated webpage for each artist on the Craftboston website
• Extensive event coverage on social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Pinterest.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Application Deadline: September 12, 2013

Jury Process: September 26 – October 7, 2013

Jury Notification: All applicants will be notified of their status via Juried Art Services. Please make sure to check your JAS profile by October 15, 2013.