Prospectus
The 45th Annual
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
November 4-7, 2021
Application Dates: Feb 19, 2021 - Apr 19, 2021
Application Fee: $50.00, Notification Date: Jun 6, 2021
*Acting on behalf of the artists, and in these challenging times, the Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is pleased to announce the late fee to apply to this year’s Show will be waived for applications received through the extended deadline of April 19th. The application fee will remain $50.00. *
Planning for the 2021 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show has begun and, looking ahead with great optimism, the Committee has started strategizing for both an in-person and online Craft Show. With the success of the 2020 Virtual Show, we are planning to offer participation options to all selected artists and are transitioning to an updated website.
Upon receipt of acceptance notice, artists will have the option to participate in-person + online, or online only. In-person participation will be based on a first come basis.
Details will be provided as we gather specifics and protocols for hosting an in-person show, including creating the most optimal floor layout for accommodating all safety measures. A new website is being built to accommodate the online version.
Due to safety protocol and space restrictions, the Committee reserves the right to make any changes to what is listed on the application with regard to booth sizes and number of booths available.
The Committee reserves the right to make any changes with regard to an in-person show in 2021. Complying with any CDC, state, and local guidelines will be our first priority. Direct all questions to Show Manager Nancy O’Meara via email: nancy.omeara@philamuseum.org.
The 45th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, a juried exhibition and retail sale, will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and online from November 5-7, 2021, with a Preview Party on November 4. The jury will accept 195 craft artists.
This show of Art by Hand serves as the Museum’s largest yearly fundraising event and is devoted to bringing wide public attention to the field of craft art. Cumulative 44-year contribution: $13.6 million. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and craft for the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to support exhibitions and education programs, and to contribute to conservation and publication projects.
At the 2020 online show, approximately 25,000 visitors attended. (At the 2019 in-person show, 10,000 visitors attended.) Out of the 161 artists exhibiting in 2020, 35 were new to the show. Ten of the 35 artists new to the show were juried in under the emerging artist category.
CREATING YOUR PORTFOLIO,
APPLICATION INFORMATION, DEADLINES AND FEES
The show uses Juried Art Services (juriedartservices.com) for electronic applications.
Images must be between 1400 and 4000 pixels on the longest side. Refer to the help menu on the Juried Art Services site and review the Application Check List. Contact Juried Art Services directly for technical assistance. To contact them directly: support@jurying.net.
All applicants are required to submit an artist statement limited to 1000 characters. Statement to include information useful to jurors such as use or application of materials and techniques used in your work.
The non-refundable processing fee for applying electronically by April 19, 2021 is $50.00, payable online* at the time you fill out the application.
*If you prefer to pay by check, please make check payable to PMA CRAFT SHOW and mail to PMA CRAFT SHOW, PO BOX 7646, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19101. Be sure to include your application identification number so that we may credit your account appropriately.
Each entrant must submit five (5) images for consideration by the jury. Images must be of current work and representative of work entrant plans to exhibit at the show. Do not submit a booth display image. Only one submission per media will be accepted.
EMERGING ARTISTS
To encourage the participation of craft artists who are beginning their careers, an Emerging Artist category is available. At the 2020 Show, 10 Emerging Artists participated. This option is open only to those who have been working at their craft for six (6) years or less and who have never exhibited at the Show. The application procedure and fees are the same as above. However, those who check the Emerging Artist category will be juried in that same category. If you choose to apply as an emerging artist, you must do so exclusively. Those who are accepted will have two booth options: to share a booth with one other Emerging Artist or pay the special fee of $1,000 for a 10x10 booth space. Online only participation fee is $300.
SHOW DATES for in-person and online show
November 5-7, 2021, with a Preview Party on November 4.
Move-in starts November 3.
LOCATION
Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Online version of the show will be at www.pmacraftshow.org
ELIGIBILITY
The Show is open to all craft artists who are residents of and working in the United States. All work, whether one of a kind pieces or limited editions, should be well conceived and expertly executed without technical faults; works should be made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools, showing imagination and the mark of the craft artist's individuality.
Categories: basketry, ceramics, fiber, furniture (includes all media), glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, handmade paper, wearables and wood.
Categories not included: calligraphy, fine arts such as painting, photography, lithography, etc., except when incorporated into an otherwise acceptable craft category; candles; dried flower arrangements; pressed flowers; seed and pod decorations; mass produced work, commercially made objects which have been embellished such as bottles, boxes, bowls, eggs, weather boards, stones, shells, buttons, decorated furniture and handmade reproductions. Objects made from commercial kits or commercially available plans are also not acceptable.
DEFINITION OF MEDIA CATEGORIES
Basketry Functional and sculptural works where the material used is woven or plaited.
Ceramics Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay.
Emerging This category is open to any medium but is exclusive to those who have been working in their medium for six (6) years or less and who have never exhibited at the Show.
Fiber Decorative Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, etc., where the primary material is fiber.
Fiber Wearable Work where the primary intention is to be worn and where the primary material is fiber (not including leather).
Furniture Work where the primary intention is furniture, including clocks and lamps. All media are included.
Glass Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass that has been handformed, handworked, handblown and or handcast.
Jewelry Work made from materials including 14k gold, 14k gold & precious stones, sterling silver & precious stones, non-precious metals and other materials such as glass, clay, paper, fiber, wood, leather, and polymer clay.
Leather Work where the primary material is leather, including belts, handbags, wearables and sculptural work.
Metal Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is metal.
Mixed Media Where the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more media. Soft sculptures and musical instruments are included in this category.
Paper Functional and sculptural work created primarily from handmade paper.
Wood Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood.
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
When choosing media category, allow the function of the work to determine the category rather than the material (i.e. metal furniture should apply in furniture and not in metal). For further information, see media definitions. When preparing images, remember it is the majority of work that determines media category. Do not send booth shots (except to illustrate how one particular work is to be displayed). If an individual craft artist wishes to apply in two different media categories, two separate applications using different images must be submitted. If only one application is accepted, only work in that medium may be exhibited. If an individual is working in a variety of styles within one medium, then he or she should submit only one (five images) application reflecting these various styles. If an individual does both one of a kind and production work, for example, images of each kind of work must be shown in the same proportion to be exhibited at the Craft Show. Craft artists working together may apply as one if they collaborate on every piece. If accepted, they may exhibit only pieces that are a part of the collaboration.
Images must be between 1400 and 4000 pixels on the longest side. Refer to the help menu on the Juried Art Services site and review the Application Check List. Contact Juried Art Services directly for technical assistance. To contact them directly: support@juying.net.
ACCEPTANCE
Email notification will be sent no later than June 6, 2021. The top 195 craft artists will be accepted. Once notified, artists can choose to participate in-person + online or only online. There is no quota system for each category, however, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show reserves the right to create balance for the show. At the same time, 40-plus craft artists will be placed on a Standby Status list and show positions will be offered as they become available.
INQUIRIES
All correspondence and inquiries should be addressed to:
Telephone: 215.684.7930
or
e-mail: nancy.OMeara@philamuseum.org
PMA - Craft Show
Philadelphia Museum of Art
PO Box 7646, Philadelphia, PA 19101
JURY
Elisabeth Agro, Philadelphia, PA, the Nancy M. McNeil Curator of American Modern and Contemporary Crafts and Decorative Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Jessica Armstrong, Chicago, IL, Owner, Buyer/Curator, Pistachios Gallery
Syd Carpenter, Swarthmore, PA, Artist, Professor of Art, Swarthmore College
Brad Ford, New York, NY, Brad Ford ID, Inc.
Anne Gross, Aspen CO, Director, Fine Art & Glass, Raven Gallery
AWARDS
In addition to the Best of Show award ($1,500), there are nine (9) cash awards ($1,000 each) for excellence selected and sponsored by foundations, individuals and arts organizations. These awards are presented at the Preview Party.
2020 Award recipients are automatically accepted to the 2021 Show. Award recipients must submit an application and processing fee to participate in this program.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS’ LISTING ON WEBSITE
Once the artists have been notified and have responded accordingly, the five (5) images submitted in the application process by each artist will be posted up on the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show website. Please check all information listed on the JAS site for accuracy including your name as it should appear, address, phone numbers, email address, and website.
EXHIBITION AREA
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a facility with one large unencumbered exhibition space. There is ample room for booths and large crowds, and it is conveniently located to restaurants, shops and public transportation.
In-Person Booth Space Fee
(includes online participation)
10’ x 10’ standard $1,000 for artists
applying and accepted in the emerging artist category
10'x 10' standard $1,250
10'x 10' corner $1,550
10'x 15' standard $1,750
10'x 15' corner $1,950
- Requests considered on a first come, first served basis.
- Artists must provide or rent their own display equipment including booth walls or pipe & drape, carpet, chairs, display cases and lights. Booth space fee does not include electrical service.
- Artists juried in separately must pay a full booth fee even if they choose to share a booth with another craft artist.
- Artists must be present in their booth during Show hours.
- The Committee reserves the right to change booth sizes and number of booths available when following safety protocols.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show offers the following free-of-charge to
exhibiting in-person artists:
- Beverages and snacks at the Exhibitor Hospitality Lounge
- Sign with name, city, state and booth number
- Listing and thumbnail image included in show program book
- Show postcards for mailing to customers
- Booth sitting by volunteers
- Online directory listing and link to website/virtual shop
- WIFI (for e-mailing and retail transactions)
FEE FOR ONLINE SHOW ONLY: $500, or $300 if you are admitted under the Emerging Artist category. We are offering this option to allow for those who aren’t able to exhibit in person.
- Includes online directory listing and link to website/virtual shop
LIABILITY & INSURANCE
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will provide security on the grounds both day and night; however, each craft artist exhibits at his or her own risk and should carry appropriate insurance. Neither the Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art or Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is responsible for damage, theft, or loss of an individual's work.
SHOW SCHEDULE
November 3 and 4
Exhibitor Set up days
Thursday, November 4
4:00 to 9:00pm
Preview Reception
Friday, November 5
11:00am to 9:00pm
Open to the public
Saturday, November 6
10:00 am to 6:00pm
Open to the public
Sunday, November 7
10:00 am 5:00 pm
Open to the public
CHECKLIST
Have you?
- Completed the application form?
- Updated contact information in Juried Art Services portfolio?
- Sent appropriate processing payment?
- Included (5) images and clearly identified them?
APPLICATION DEADLINE : APRIL 19, 2021