Prospectus

Providence has a long history leading to its current reputation as the nation’s Creative Capital, starting with the its prominent role in the metal (especially jewelry) and textile industries during the American Industrial Revolution and continuing through to today, with creative powerhouses such as RISD, Brown University, a number of nationally recognized design firms.
 

Providence continues to gain momentum as a hot travel destination due to its unique combination of vibrant food culture, entertainment scene, sophisticated-yet-affordable accommodations, and numerous attractions for a variety of tastes.
 

Rhode Island is the place to sell Art and Handmade Goods! That means that nearly all of the items sold at our show will not require sales tax. This is a significant selling point for artists with customers who are not RI residents and who are accustomed to paying sales tax when they buy your work. There’s no better excuse for a getaway weekend in Providence if they love your work and can buy it tax free.
 

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SHOW FORMAT & HOURS

The show will take place at the BankNewport City Center in downtown Providence and will host approximately *70-95* artists in the following format:

Saturday, May 7 – Load-in and Set-up 7:00am – 10:30am; Show Hours 11:00am – 7:00pm

Sunday, May 8 – Show Hours 11:00am – 5:00pm; Load-out 5:00pm – 8:00pm

*Final number of participating artists will be subject to current state guidelines and regulations as it relates to COVID-19.
 

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ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS –
FOR ALL APPLICANTS

A qualified panel of jurors is assembled each year to select artists making superlative work in baskets, ceramics, decorative fiber, wearable fiber, drawing,  furniture, glass, graphics, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

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.

Waitlisted exhibitors are queued for acceptance based on their juror scores and media category. Approximately 85% of artists will be selected through an open jury process and 15% will be selected through juror and management recommendations.

 

Early Stage Artist Program (ESAP)

Due to COVID-19 spacing guidelines, we will not be offering ESAP shared spaces at this show. Available spaces will be 10’x10’ (regular) and 20’x10’ (double). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to bringing this option back at future shows.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Artists are asked to submit a total of five (5) digital images - 4 that best represent their work and 1 showing their booth display. Work will be juried based on originality, execution of design, technique and craftsmanship, creative use of materials, and aesthetic qualities.

Please ensure that the e-mail address you provide is accurate, and that Juried Arts Services and Art Providence Show e-mail addresses - (artprovidenceshow@gmail.com, laura@artsmartproductions, and support@jurying.net) are all added as Contacts in your e-mail platform so that communication from us does not go to Spam. Please apply with the same e-mail address you will use through the end of the show.

 

RULES FOR PARTICIPATION

The Art Providence Show strongly encourages both established and early-stage artists to apply. 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, drawing, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, graphics, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, sculpture and wood. All work must be original and made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools. Art Providence 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 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. Participating artists must provide their own 10x10 or 20x10 3-sided tent with a (preferably white) top. Branding or signage on the outside of tents is not permitted.

5. Collaborating artists are permitted, but any representation other than a true, hands-on artistic collaboration is not permitted. Collaborating artists are defined as ‘artists who assist and/or collaborate with the primary artist on their body of work.’ Two artists working on separate bodies of work may not share a space or a single ESAP space.

6. 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.

7. Artists may apply in a second category, but must submit a separate application for that body of work. Only work that has been accepted by our jurors and/or show management may be shown or sold at the show.

8. We ask that participants refrain from using “SALE” or “DISCOUNT” signage at the show. Artists may of course price work as they see fit, including verbal price negotiation directly with the customer, but discount signage is strongly discouraged as it cheapens the show’s image and may encourage customers to haggle over pricing.

Please note: Individual Artists who wish to apply in two different categories must submit two separate applications and application fees. Both bodies of work must be accepted in order to show/sell both types of work.

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SHOW FEES

Application Fee
The application fee for the November 13 deadline is $35 (non-refundable).

Fees and What’s Included:

• 10’ x 10’ Space Fee – Now $475; artists are required to bring their own tent with a white top and 3 sides. No branding or signage is permitted on the tents or their tops.
   
• Corner upgrade - $200. (Limited spots available.)
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• 20’ x 10’ Space Fee – Now $800 (Limited spots available); artists are required to bring their own tent with 3 walls and a white top. No branding or signage is permitted on the tents or their tops.

Standard booth package includes the following:

• 10’ x 10’ designated space
   
• Booth signage – name and booth number
   
• Listing in the digital show program guide
   
• Space location (booth number) listing on exhibitor floor map.
   
• 4 complimentary tickets.
   
• Electricity up to 600 watts is included in the space fee. If your lighting system requires more wattage, an additional fee of $50 will be incurred.

What’s Not Included:

• Standard package (regular and double-wide spaces) fees do not include electricity beyond 600 watts, WIFI, displays, additional cross bars, floor covering, tables chairs or other furnishings.
   
• Booth sharing is not permitted.

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MARKETING

Art Providence will be publicized in a variety of regional print, radio, and digital outlets including the following:

• Local and regional advertising and public relations including but not limited to print, radio, digital, e-mail blasts and collateral.
   
• Bio listing and image for each artist on the show website and in the official online show directory.
   
• Event coverage on social media sites including Facebook and Instagram.
   
• 2019’s marketing efforts generated over 2.5 million impressions across print, radio, billboards, and digital. Visit our website’s Exhibitor Info tab for details or send us an e-mail at artprovidenceshow@gmail.com with any questions.

*Featured areas on the website and full-page ad opportunities in the event digital program book will be available at an additional cost.

 

KEY DATES

• Application Deadline: November 13, 2021 - $35 application fee.
   
• Jury Process: November 16-23, 2021
   
• Jury Notification: All applicants who apply through Juried Arts Services will be notified of their status via Juried Art Services. Please make sure to check your JAS profile by November 25, 2021.
   
• Booth fees due: The new booth fee due date will be due on January 30, 2022.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Artists who submit their request in writing by March 1, 2022 will be eligible for a 50% refund of booth fees. Artists who submit their request in writing between March 2, 2022 and March 19, 2022 are eligible for a 25% refund of booth fees. For cancellations on or after March 20, 2022, no refunds will be given.

Application fees are non-refundable.

In the event of a full cancellation of the show due to force majeure, the discretion of the State of Rhode Island and/or the discretion of ArtSmart Productions, partial or full refunds of booth fees may be given depending on the timing of the cancellation. In the event of postponement or modification of the show’s format (for example, a virtual show), partial refunds will be given based on the timing of such modifications. ArtSmart seeks to serve participating artists with the utmost care and fairness and will refund the maximum amount possible based on what we have already spent or committed to spend at the time of said cancellation.

Please contact us with questions at artprovidenceshow@gmail.com

(Image: Pre-covid event hosted at BankNewport City Center)

www.artprovidenceshow.com