The 34th Annual Smithsonian Craft Show 2016
April 20, 2016 to April 24, 2016
National Building Museum, 401 F St., NW, Washington DC
Application Dates
May 15 to Sep 27 '15
Application Fee
$50.00
(see prospectus for details)
Late Application Dates
Sep 28 - Oct 04, 2015
Late Fee
$25.00
(see prospectus for details)
Notification Date
Oct 30, 2015

Prospectus

APPLICATION INFORMATION

SHOW:

The annual Smithsonian Craft Show is a juried exhibition and sale of contemporary American crafts and design. 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. There is no quota for any category of Craft Art. 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. Proceeds from the Show fund grants that benefit the Smithsonian's education, outreach, and research programs.

The Show does not charge sales commissions. However, accepted artists are encouraged to donate an item for the Craft Show’s on-line auction, raffle, or other fund-raising initiatives, proceeds of which benefit the Smithsonian.

APPLICATION DEADLINES AND FEES:

Electronic applications: By September 30, 2015.

The non-refundable fee for applying is $50. NOTICE: The application fee is due at the time you fill out the online application and accept the terms and conditions.

A late fee of additional $25 must be included for electronic applications received after September 20, 2015. Late electronic entries will not be accepted after September 27, 2015.

DATES OF SHOW:

Preview Night Benefit: April 20, 2016

April 21-24, 2016

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. The Craft Show is committed to presenting the most thoughtful, original, and skilled American craft and design objects. The exploration of new technology has historically been a part of craft practice. 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. New technologies such as computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) are increasingly prevalent in the designing and/or making of contemporary studio crafts. Because we recognize that new technologies are increasingly helpful in this process, it is acceptable to submit work in which CAD/CAM and other industrial techniques such as 3-D printing tools are used in the creative process. But it is not acceptable when these technologies are used to actually make the final product.

Repurposed materials, including found objects, are being used as art material to make some craft pieces. This is a desirable practice, and artists who incorporate repurposed materials are encouraged to specify this in their statements.

Only U.S. residents who make their work in the U.S. are eligible to apply.

ACCEPTABLE MEDIA CATEGORIES:

Basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, and wood.

The artist should apply in the category that best describes his/her medium. For instance, a jewelry artist using metal should not apply in the metal category. Other media not listed above may be included in mixed media when it is combined with one of the Show's established media. If applying under mixed media, please explain in artist statement why mixed media is appropriate.

Unacceptable media categories: Objects created by 3D printing technology, 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. Cash awards range from $500 to $1500. "Honoring the Future Sustainability Award" of $1,000 will be offered for the second year. This award educates the public about climate change or inspires or models sustainable responses to climate change.

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. You may not enter the same piece of work 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. The Smithsonian Craft Show website will post a 2016 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 U.S. mail address;

3. Your phone numbers, website and email address;

4. Correct identification for your images.

 

BOOTH FEES:

2016 Craft Show booth fees ranged from $1,265 to $1,965, depending on size and location of the booth.

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.

JURORS:

Joyce Lovelace
Contributing Editor, American Craft Magazine

Carol Sauvion
Owner Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Creator, Executive Producer and Director of Craft in America

Anna Walker
Windgate Foundation Curatorial Fellow for Contemporary Craft
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

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, 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

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.

 

ARTIST STATEMENT:

All applicants are required to submit an artist statement limited to 1000 characters. Include use or application of environmentally friendly materials and techniques in your work if applicable. If applying in mixed media, please explain why.

 

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 as it will appear to the judges and: 1) edit the copy submitted up until September 27, 2015; 2) verify that your payment has been received. (if it hasn't, please call the Smithsonian Women’s Committee office at (888) 832-9554; 3) find the result of the jurying process.

You will also receive email notification of the results of the jurying process by Friday, October 30, 2015.

Thank you for applying to the Smithsonian Craft Show.