2015 Autumn Art Studios Tour ARTIST APPLICATION Deadline April 6, 2015 

CALL TO ARTISTS

22ND ANNUAL AUTUMN ART STUDIOS TOUR

NOVEMBER 13, 14 & 15, 2015

Are you an artist or artisan with your working studio in Placer County? Then come join the 22nd Annual Autumn Art Studios Tour (AAST) presented by PlacerArts! ALL ARTISTS WITHIN ALL AREAS OF PLACER COUNTY ARE WELCOME TO APPLY! This open studios tour offers Placer County artists an exceptional forum in which to educate the public, as well as to display and sell work to art collectors, curators and patrons. AAST cultivates a greater public awareness of the artistic talent that exists in Placer County and offers the public the opportunity to observe artists working in their own environments. Held annually during the 2nd weekend in November, The Autumn Art Studios Tour is a self-guided driving tour of Placer County artists showing and demonstrating their art. Traditionally AAST has stretched from Roseville to Auburn to Dutch Flat and everywhere in between on the Western Slope of Placer County, however all artist and studios within Placer County are welcome to participate!

 

ARTIST BENEFITS

By participating on the tour, artists will expand their audience by sharing with the public where and how they work and also have the opportunity to sell their work to the public. Artists will gain exposure through the AAST publicity campaign which includes print, web and social media marketing. A sample piece of artwork and contact information for each artist will be published in a full-color AAST guidebook along with contact information, directions and a map. The artist is also encouraged to participate in the AAST preview exhibit/show which features one work of art from each tour participant. Additionally by being a part of AAST 2015 artist will have networking opportunities to meet and work with other local artists and attend marketing workshops presented by PlacerArts.

AAST COMMITTEE

This year, PlacerArts is pleased to introduce Lisa Marasso as Tour Coordinator and, along with the AAST Steering Committee of veteran artists and supporters, wants to make 2015 the largest tour yet. Ms. Marasso has been Faculty Adjunct at Sierra College since 2005, teaching a variety of courses in Sculpture and Drawing. She was Associate Director of Verge Center for the Arts from 2008-2011, before accepting her current position as Director of the Ridley Gallery at Sierra College in the Fall of 2012.

 APPLICATION PROCESS

ALL STEPS CAN BE DONE BY CLICKING THE "REGISTER NOW" BUTTON ON THE LEFT OF THIS PAGE.

The application process includes 3 easy steps:

 1. Renew/Join PlacerArts Membership

2. Create/Update your Arts Directory*  on PlacerArts.org

        *PLEASE NOTE wednesday April 1 5:45 p.m. FREE Artist Directory HANDS-ON workshop to create or update your profile.  Workshop will be at Placer Arts Admin Offices in ARTspace Auburn 808 Lincoln Way Auburn CA  PLEASE RSVP to office@PlacerArts.org as space is limited

3. Complete the registration form and submit payment

Online registration is preferred, if you need assistance contact us at aast@placerarts.org OR call the PlacerArts office well in advance of the deadline to assist with an online submission. Those withough internet access or that prefer to submit a hardcopy of the application may do so by picking up the form at PlacerArts or printing out this online "REGISTER NOW" form.

2015 AUTUMN ART STUDIOS TOUR DATES

ACCEPTANCE:  Veteran Tour Artists are automatically prequalified and are accepted upon receipt of their application. NEW artists will have a review/ jurying process, artists will be notified by May 1, 2015 as to acceptance.

ORIENTATION w/ optional Marketing workshop: This year we are asking that every artist attend one Orientation Meeting which includes details on participant requirements, review of AAST timeline, artwork photo requirements for guide & publicity, volunteer assignments, Q&A with Coordinator / Steering Committee and a PR101 Marketing Workshop. Please plan to attend either:

•  Saturday May 16, 11-1:00 PlacerArts ARTspace Rocklin 5460 Fifth Street Rocklin, CA
•  Monday May 18, 5:30-7:30 PlacerArts administrative offices 808 Lincoln Way Auburn, CA

 If extenuating circumstances prevent attendance please contact PlacerArts to arrange an individual time and/or possible Skype or online conferencing into one of the above dates.

AUTUMN POTLUCK (early September): One of the most important parts of the AAST is networking and sharing! A casual potluck will be held in early September to allow you to meet and network with other participating artists and also pick up directional signage, maps and other AAST weekend promotional materials. Date and location TBD.

STUDIOS TOUR PREVIEW EXHIBIT (October/November): The Studios Tour Preview Exhibit (a group show including one piece of work from each accepted artist) will be held from mid-October thru the tour weekend. The 2015 Preview Show location is being currently being determined but will be at a different location than in 2014.

TOUR DATES: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 13, 14, & 15 10 am - 5 pm daily (Friday is optional but encouraged)

FEES

• The Entry Fee is $100, payable by check, cash, or Visa/MasterCard.
• Applications may be considered after the April 6th deadline if space is available, but will be charged a nonrefundable $25 late fee
• Payment of PlacerArts Membership must also be received by April 6, 2015.
• Entry Fees from accepted artists are non-refundable. The entry fee will be refunded to those artists not accepted, any late fees will not.
•  Credit Card payment of Entry Fee and Membership may be made via PayPal as part of the online application. Checks are payable to PlacerArts. Credit card payment may also be made in person or by phone.

JURY PROCESS

The PlacerArts Autumn Art Studios Tour showcases art in a broad range of media and styles. The event contributes to public awareness of the quality and diversity of artists in our community. As such AAST goes beyond a traditional art show in fostering a greater understanding of the artistic process by providing the public with a unique opportunity to enter the world of the visual artist and experience how, why and where art is created. Therefore the application/jury process for participation in AAST is intended to be a review, not a competition, and to ensure that artists are producing work of professional quality reflecting a personal style and vision. Application material will not be judged on personal tastes or preferences. AAST will review and be asking themselves questions like: Does the artist’s work express a unique style/voice and vision? Does the artist’s work show mastery over his/her medium or innovative use of materials/media?

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

1. Application open to all visual art media.
2. Current membership in PlacerArts is required. To renew or join new go to www.PlacerArts.org, or submit payment as part of this online application.
3. Artists may only submit and show their own work. Artists must agree not to exhibit, sell or host non-participating artists in the space over which they have interest or control.
4. It is recommended that participating artists exhibit a minimum of 15 pieces of original art, created within the last three years.
5. Artists are asked to be actively demonstrating in their studio during the tour as much as possible. Showing your process and studio set up is fundamental to the process of the Studio Tour. Actual demonstration and works in progress are an ideal way to share your process with visitors. However, if your process is dangerous or very complex, storyboards or visual aids may be displayed instead.
6. All artists must create and/or update their artist profile online in the PlacerArts “Arts Directory”. All jurying will be done via the online Arts Directory.
7. It is the artist’s responsibility to carry any necessary liability and/or business insurance and/or permits. Please consult with your tax advisor if you have questions.
8. Artists must be willing to volunteer 4 to 6 hours on an AAST committee or subcommittee if selected to participate.
9. Artists must meet ONE of the following location eligibility requirements*:

a) Have a home or business working studio within Placer County that is suitable for public access and display. (PlacerArts reserves the right to decline or change sites for any studio that it deems inaccessible or unsafe to the public. **)

b) Have a year-round working studio within a gallery.

* Interested artists residing in the county who do not have studios suitable for public access or display may also apply. They will be considered for participation at an approved group location or may share a studio with another approved artist(s) accepted for the tour.

**In cases of extremely remote or inaccessible locations, an artist may ask to be hosted at another artist’s studio or to host one other artist at their studio. In this situation, each artist must submit a separate application and should be prepared to show his/her process during the event, including materials, tools, equipment and works-in-progress.

ARTISTS DIRECTORY/IMAGES

All jurying will be done via PlacerArts’ online Arts Directory. Applicants must create and/or update their artist profile at www.placerarts.org/directory as information on your directory will serve as your ”application”. The images for the juryprocess will also be pulled from the Artists Directory and must be uploaded by April 6,2015. You may schedule an appointment for help with the Arts Directory by calling PlacerArts office 530.885.5670

Please be sure that your artist statement on the Arts Directory represents you well, as this is what the jury will consider and it is used in publicity. Be dynamic in your description of your art, your background and your artistic philosophy. You may include education, awards, current shows or private collections.

All images used for the jury process will be those shown on your Arts Directory. Artists should have a minimum of 3 photos depicting their work loaded and visible on their directory. Well-lit, high quality images will enhance your listing and should be used whenever possible. Artists may have up to 15 images visible at one time but it is not necessary to have this many. Often artist have their full Arts Directory image profile already completed with photos of their work – no need to change any if you feel this is a good representation of your work for review. Additionally, images of the artist working and/or of the studio may remain in the image gallery – no need to remove. If you need assistance with photographing your art please contact the Tour Coordinator at AAST@placerarts.org or PlacerArts for a list of recommended photographers.

If accepted onto the tour, artists will be asked to submit a high resolution photo of their preferred piece of work that will be appropriate for PlacerArts to crop to a square for use within the AAST guide (mandatory requirement).

Additionally artists will be asked to provide a high resolution photo (s) of themselves working, creating, in studio, etc…. that will be used for publicity (optional)

If you need assistance please refer to the User Guide http://www.zoomaru.net/guides/DirectoryUserGuidev2.pdf

ARTIST PUBLICITY AND STUDIO DIRECTIONS PUBLICITY

Joining the AAST Steering Committee for 2015 is publicist Elizabeth Sands. Ms. Sands has had many years of experience in journalism, event planning and business development including working with KCRA- tv, the Associated Press, CSUS, City of Auburn, PlacerArts, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospice, Auburn Symphony, American Heart Association, Amgen Tour of California and California Tourism. With a new marketing plan starting now –AAST is sure to showcase its artists and attract tourists from across Northern California. Ms. Sands will be providing artists marketing tips and a PR tool box to encourage them to do their own self-promotion and publicity. Additionally, once accepted, artists will be asked to provide a detailed bio and or interview to allow PlacerArts the ability to do publicity that may feature individual artists. Social media, print, broadcast and general PR will all be done by PlacerArts and updates will be provided to artists. More information to assist with self-promotion will be discussed during the Orientation meeting.

TOUR MAP & DIRECTIONS

AAST produces a guide that includes a detailed map of all locations on the tour and directions to the artist’s studio. Artists will complete this component upon acceptance to AAST. Additionally large colorful logo directional signage/markers will be provided to artists for use during the AAST weekend.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN JOINING THE AUTUMN ART STUDIOS TOUR ~PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF YOU NEED HELP! Watch PlacerArts.org for more information or to download the AAST Handbook

Founded in 1983, PlacerArts is the Arts Council of Placer County, a non-profit, publicbenefit catalyst for the arts and humanities, and the state-local partner of the California Arts Council for the County of Placer

Register Now!