Submitting Your Work to The Arts Center Gallery

Basic Steps to Submitting Your Portfolio for Review

Outline

● how the process works● artwork readiness & the right fit● digitally photographing artwork● the artist statement vs. artist biography● the artist resume● the artist website● gallery expectations● a few tips● frequently asked questions● other artist opportunities at Saratoga Arts● questions

Every Submission Process is Different!

Please read and follow the directions - incomplete applications aren’t

usually accepted.

At Saratoga Arts, though, we will let you know if we are missing part of

your application :)

Our application:1. Contact Information2. Artist Statement (500 word limit)3. Artist Biography (250 word limit)4. Artist Resume or CV*5. Numbered List of Works (10 total)*6. 10 Images*

*files sent to gallery@saratoga-arts.orgOnce the application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation and a copy of your responses

What type of exhibition is best for you?● Solo exhibitions

○ 15-20 pieces in a cohesive body of work. They should conceptually relate to each other.● Group exhibitions

○ Number of pieces vary. It is dependent on the entry requirements.● Thematic Exhibitions + Juried Shows

○ Do your research ahead of time and make sure that your art is the right fit. It is possible to make artwork specifically for a thematic exhibition if you have enough time. Generally opportunities like this call for 1-3 pieces of artwork.

NYFA - www.nyfa.org

Cafe - www.callforentry.org

ResArtis - www.resartis.org

Selecting the perfect work for your application

● Strongest proposals are always based on a series of work that is related; work that shares common themes/ideas.

● Select images that connect to each other visually + conceptually● Avoid representing your “artist range”. It would appear that your ideas are not focused. The portfolio

risks looking mix-matched and/or conceptually weak. Panels tend to avoid proposals like this.

Digitally Photographing Artwork-Artwork should be unframed. Do not photograph through glass.

-Clip, tack, or hang artwork on white (or neutral-colored) wall; use a table for 3D artwork.

- Always use a tripod - the camera should be parallel to the artwork.

-Use two lamps at the same distance, directed at the same angle towards the artwork (inside). It is possible to use natural light outside on an overcast day.

-You want balanced, controlled light to flood your artwork. You do not want spots, glare, or shadows.

-Do not crop your artwork. Photograph an entire piece. If a detail is necessary, do both. If needed, you can slightly crop your image using a photo-editing program.

-Do not use a flash.Good photos of your work is so important!

Photographing 2-D Work

Photographing 3-D Work

Good Image Bad Image

Saving Hi-Res Images for Submission

● Image quality is very important. It is the number one reason artists do not get accepted into galleries.

● Save your images at the highest resolution possible● Always have a master file. It’s best to make a copy of every

image you will be adjusting / prepping● Always save as a .jpeg (unless the application specifies a

different file type)● Files should be saved at a minimum of 300 dpi● Depending on in image software you are using, there are

different ways to change the image size and resolution. Please look at online tutorials for easy, step by step, guides.

Artist BiographyAn opportunity to tell the reader about your professional successes and accomplishments.

● You can write about your education, exhibitions, travel - things that will enhance how your audience understands you, the artist.

● An artist biography should be clear and to the point, but length can vary from a paragraph to a full page. Keep in mind that galleries may cut down your bio for certain publications if it is too long. For our application, the word limit is 250.

● To begin writing your bio, make a list of your credentials, education, learning experiences, special skills, awards, accomplishments, memberships, and published works. Use these facts to promote yourself in your bio. You can use these facts in your bio.

● Artist biographies are written in the 3rd person. Ex: Jane Doe received her degree at…

● Artist biographies are not resumes or artist statements

Artist Statement

● An artist statement should be informative and about your artwork

● Approximately 250-500 words, typed, written in first person “I”. General rule of

thumb: no longer than a page (most of the time).

● Inform the reader about your process, research, inspiration, and meaning

when it comes to making your artwork.

● If you are submitting artwork in a series, speak about that series.

An opportunity to convey what inspires and informs your art making.

Artist Resume Sample Artist Résumé

1. Name (in bold or larger font) and contact information2. Education

MFA 2009 Fine Art Institute

3. Solo Exhibitions (One-Person Shows, Solo Shows, etc.)

2015 New Work, Saratoga Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY

4. Group Exhibitions (Group Shows)

2015 Mohawk Hudson Regional, Albany, NY

5.Grants/Awards (Grants/Fellowships, Awards/Honors, etc.)

2014 New York Council for the Arts Fellowship

6. Commissions (if applicable)

7. Collections (Public, Private, Corporate)

New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, NY

8. Bibliography (Selected Bibliography)

Jane Doe, “Art on the Edge,” Art Forum, issue 1.10, pg 1

9. Current Employment

Exhibition Coordinator, Saratoga Arts, Saratoga Springs, NY

10. Current Gallery Representation

Albany Center Gallery, Albany, NY

Do you have a website?● Having a website to showcase your artwork can be very helpful; it is strongly recommended to artists who would like

to exhibit their artwork in the professional world.● While you may be limited to the number of pieces you can submit to a gallery, a website allows galleries and

exhibition committees to view your full body of artwork, as well as your artist statement, bio, resume, and contact information.

Some good (and simple to use!) website platforms:

Square Space: www.squarespace.com Wix: www.wix.com

Wordpress: www.wordpress.com Blogspot: www.blogspot.com

What makes a competitive application?

● A Vision or Focus

● Technical Strength

● Professionalism

● The whole package

What makes a strong application?

A few tips for here (or anywhere)

-Before submitting, are you are the right “fit” for the gallery? Look at past exhibitions and the artists that galleries currently represent. You should feel that your artwork is in line with their mission.

--Emphasis on original work and limited editions is very important.

-Once you are selected to have an exhibition, you will need to read and sign a contract with the gallery prior to the installation. This contract will include everything from important dates, information, and regulations that the gallery may have. Make sure you read this carefully before signing.

-Artwork should be in good condition and ready-to-hang. Framing can be expensive, but artwork presentation is very important. If you cannot afford frames for your pieces, check with the gallery for alternative ways to safely hang your artwork.

-All processes are different, selections are subjective, and every gallery is different - Keep trying and do not give up!

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I find out if my artwork has been chosen?Artists will be notified by the end of the summer if their work has been chosen for exhibition.

Do the images I submit in my application have to be exhibited if I am chosen?The artwork you exhibit must be the same or of equal quality to the artwork you submitted for review.

If my artwork is accepted, can I sell it?Yes. All artwork must be for sale. Saratoga Arts receives a 35% commission on sales.

How many people apply and how many do you select?Typically, about 100 artists apply. How many artists are selected is based, in part, in the submissions but on average it is between 10-15.

MORE Opportunities for Artists at Saratoga Arts

Art in Public Places

The Gallery Shop

10x10 ExhibitionJune 29 - September 7, 2019

Art in the ParkSeptember 21, 2019 | 10am-4pm | Historic Congress Park

Student Art / Faculty ArtSeptember 21 - November 2, 2019

The Annual Members’ ShowNovember 9, 2019 - January 3, 2020

Work by Robin Rosenthal

For more information about any of our exhibition programs:

ContactRebecca Zeh

Exhibitions Coordinator518.584.4132

rzeh@saratoga-arts.org