Entry & Exhibition Fees

There are a lot of galleries that charge entry or exhibition fees to artists. Many such venues offer group shows every month or so with fees ranging from $20 to $35, although some offer discounted entry fees to members at $5 to $25. (Membership typically ranges from $45 to $60.) This means that an artist just starting out, seeking to show a piece in a group show on a monthly basis, will spend upwards of $240 to $420 per year just to submit to one show a month (not counting membership costs or discounts or shipping expenses if works are submitted nationally). That doesn't count any of the other expenses associated with making said artwork: materials, possibly leasing studio space, transporting pieces to and from shows, publicity and so on - this is just entry fees. And that is just to try to show one or two pieces per month in a group show setting, it is highly unlikely that said artist will be accepted into every show entered. Many are doing good to get into about half of such opportunities.

I realize that, by offering shows on this basis, galleries can open themselves up to more ideas and artists because they don't have to rely on sales or limited funding and grant monies to keep their doors open. But the practice of charging such fees becomes a sort of double-edged sword. In fact, in the process of extorting money from those whom they purport to serve, these opportunities can actually limit creativity for all that not being limited strictly by saleability or other funding should enhance it.

Why does this limit creativity? In order to make paying the entry fees worthwhile, many artists will submit work that they think will be accepted and maybe even sell. This is not likely to be the work that really pushes the envelope, questions the status quo or approaches process in a new and different way because that is inherently more risky. Also, high entry fees discourage participation from a lot of artists who cannot afford to spend them with little or no return. With their finances tied up in student loans and other educational expenses, many students and recent graduates who are looking at things from fresh, new perspectives may not be as likely to participate for all that they are the ones who can benefit most from the more unbiased group show opportunities.

I find it unfortunate that there is not enough funding (or that some venues are unwilling or unable to seek it) to allow for more free or cheap opportunities to artists (under $10). Artists should not have to pay exorbitant fees in order to get their work out there where it can be seen or, worse yet, for the privilege of having a juror reject it. Nowadays, many venues are charging exhibition fees rather than entry fees so that artists are not disadvantaged when their work is not accepted for the show but for all that this is better, it is still not ideal. However, as long as artists continue to pay them without question, the fees will remain and, given the difficulty many places are having in seeking out other funding within the current economy, they are likely to increase.

As I've stated before, both artists and art venues need to realize just how much we need one another and to work together for mutual benefit rather than perpetuating and encouraging the same problems and concerns. If more artists were more involved with the groups and venues that represent them, then perhaps they could help find other solutions that don't involve them incurring as many expenses upon themselves.