QUEEN WEST ART CRAWL

September 15-16, 2012

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.       What is the Queen West Art Crawl?

The Queen West Art Crawl is an annual three (3) day celebration of Queen Street West and the artists, businesses, community groups and residents that make up this very distinct area of Toronto.  The festival showcases hundreds of artists, organizations, galleries and businesses from Bathurst to Roncesvalles and attracts over 40,000 visitors.

2.       Who organizes the Queen West Art Crawl?

From 2003 – 2007, Artscape organized the Queen West Art Crawl.  In 2008, Artscape officially handed over full operation of the event to Parkdale Community Development Group (PCDG) formally Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation (PLEDC).

To find out more about PCDG, please see our website:   www.parkdalecdg.com

3.       I have a question about the Outdoor Art Show & Sale, and/or the Queen West Art Crawl.  Who do I contact?

If you can’t find the answer to your question(s) in the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact: info@queenwestartcrawl.com

4.       What are the dates, times and location of the Queen West Art Crawl?

WHEN        Saturday, September 15, 2012               11:00am to 6:00pm

            Sunday, September 16, 2012                 11:00am to 6:00pm

WHERE      Trinity Bellwoods Park

             790 Queen Street West (at Strachan Ave.)

The Submission Process

5.       How do I apply?

You may apply online or manually. The Call for Submissions and all information about applying is available at www.queenwestartcrawl.com.

If you are applying manually, an Artist Application Form can be downloaded from the website.

Submissions should be mailed or hand delivered to:

Parkdale Community Development Group

Attn:  Queen West Art Crawl

1313 Queen Street West

Toronto, ON  M6K 1L8

Submissions are accepted   Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm.

Please read all Submission Procedures as outlined in the Call for Submissions.

Incomplete applications or submissions, including applications without payment, will NOT be considered.

6.       What is the deadline for submission?

OASS Early Bird Deadline:                         Thursday, February 16 2012 by 4:00pm

OASS Final Deadline:                                 Friday, March 30, 2012  by 4:00pm

Results will sent out the beginning of May, 2012

7.       What is the benefit of applying early?

Once we have the list of accepted artists they will be put in the order that the applications were received. Accepted artists will receive the 2012 booth map with notification and will have the opportunity to request their booth preferences at an additional cost of $50.00. Requests are not guaranteed and are taken into consideration on a first come first served basis.                       

8.       What methods of payment do you accept for the participation fee?

Manual:      Certified cheque or money order made payable to P.C.D.G.

                     We do not accept personal cheques. It must be a certified cheque or money order

Online:       Paypal

Paypal is a safe, easy way to pay online without exposing your credit card numbers to the merchant. You don’t need to set up a Paypal account to apply online for QWAC but you will need a major credit card.

9.       Can I share a booth with a friend?

If two or more artists work collectively or share a company name, you may apply for one booth. You must demonstrate in your list of exhibitions and/or artist statement how you work collectively.

Two or more independent artists who are simply sharing the cost of a booth may not apply together.

10.    What do you mean by original art?

All artwork on display must be the original creation of the exhibitor. Reproductions of another artist’s work will not be considered. Exhibitors are permitted, however, to sell reproductions of their own work in the form of posters, prints, art cards, buttons, etc. Please note that the selection committee will favour original work over reproductions.

11.    Can I submit more than one Media Category?

Only one type of media is accepted per application. It is recommended that you submit your strongest media category.  If you would like to submit more than one, a second application is required.

12.    What is a list of Recent Exhibitions, Work and Education?

A list of Recent Exhibitions, Work and Education will give the selection committee a sense of your training, past experience and highlights from your CV. Submit up to 100 words describing your past work and its’ relevancy to your application. Submissions containing over 100 words will not be considered.

13.    What is an Artist Statement?

An Artist Statement gives the selection committee a better sense of the artistic vision of your current work. An artist statement should speak to your audience. It should be easy to read and conversational in tone. You will want to speak about your most current exhibit work. You may wish to highlight your work process or unique characteristics about your work. Submit up to 100 words, keeping it brief and personal. Submissions containing over 100 words will not be considered.

14.    How can I submit my Samples of Recent Work?

The selection committee will view up to four images of your recent work. The images should be the best representation of the medium and works of art you intend to sell at the Queen West Art Crawl.

When submitting online, you can simply upload images during the application process. If submitting a manual application, include either a CD/DVD of jpg images. Regardless of online or manual submission, all Digital Samples of Recent Work must be at least 4” x 5” or 288 x 360 pixels at 72dpi. Where possible, include a website link to additional images of your work.

15.    Who is eligible to submit an application?

Professional artists, artisans and craftspeople working in the following disciplines will be considered for the Queen West Art Crawl: painting (acrylic, oil, watercolour, encaustic), drawing, metal art, jewellery, photography, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, fibre art, wood art, glass and mixed media. Both established and emerging artists and craftspeople are encouraged to apply.

16.    Who is on the selection committee?

The selection committee is comprised of professional artists, gallery owners, art teachers, curators and other respected members of the visual arts community.

17.    What are the criteria for being selected to participate?

The committee will be selecting submissions based on quality and saleability of the work. The selection committee strives to bring overall diversity in works of art for the Queen West Art Crawl.

18.    How and when will I find out if I have been accepted?

The results of the selection process will be sent by email. You will be notified of the results in the beginning of June, 2011.

19.    I missed the application deadline but was wondering if you accept late applications or have a waiting list.

No. QWAC has a firm policy of not accepting applications past the deadline date of March 30 at 4pm. We do not have a waiting list for cancellations.

20.    When should I expect my participant package?

Selected participants will receive detailed QWAC packages sent by email the beginning of May. Your package will provide you with Trinity Bellwoods Park layout, load-in and load-out procedures and important details for the day-of event.

21.    What if I need to withdraw from the event?

If you are selected to participate in the Outdoor Art Show & Sale and if, for any reason, you decide to withdraw from the event, your participation fee will be returned to you, less an administrative fee of $75.  PCDG must be notified in writing by June 1, 2012.  If you cancel after June 1, the full participation fee will be retained by PCDG.

The Site and Weekend

22.    How big is the designated space?

Each artist will be assigned a specific area, determined by PCDG. The space dimensions are 10’ x 10’ on grassy lawn. If you require a larger space, we can accommodate a double size area for additional fees.  If you require a double size area, please apply manually and note this on your application form.  If a double size area is required, the participation fee will be charged for each 10’ x 10’ area requested.

23.    Do you provide tables, chairs, tents or any other display materials?

No. All artists must provide their own tables, chairs, tents and any other display materials.

More information will follow regarding rental of these items.

Collapsible display systems are recommended. Display systems requiring construction are not permitted. All display systems must be secured by weights, sandbags or bricks. Spiking of the ground at Trinity Bellwoods Park is strictly prohibited.

24.    What if it rains?

Queen West Art Crawl is a rain or shine event. PCDG encourages artists to seek out rentals or purchasing tents, table coverings and water-resistant display systems.

25.    Do I have to take my work home overnight on Saturday?

We highly recommend that you remove all artwork and personal belongings from your booth overnight.  You may want to consider leaving your tent/display materials set up. We will be hiring security guards to patrol the show site from 7:00pm on Saturday, Sept. 15 to 7:00am on Sunday, Sept. 16.  Please be advised that Parkdale Community Development Group will not be held responsible for any damages or loss of property (including anything that may be left overnight). Official closing time for the show is 6:00 p.m.  At 6:00 p.m., you can begin taking down your booth.

26.    Can I sell other products or services along with my art?

No. You may, however hand out literature or other materials pertaining to other non-art business ventures.

27.    Do I have to be at the venue for the entire weekend?

Yes. By submitting your application you have agreed to be in attendance for the entire show. Visitors come to see the work and speak with the artist which is a key factor of QWAC. It is suggested that you have an assistant/friend to help you for the weekend with set up and watching your booth if you need to take a break.

28.    Does PCDG take a commission from my sales?

No. PCDG takes no commission from your sales. We will ask that you provide us with information regarding your total sales at the end of the event. Each artist’s sales information will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for event analysis.

29.    How is the Queen West Art Crawl promoted?

PCDG’s marketing campaign for the Queen West Art Crawl includes media releases, media stunts, print advertising, public service announcements on community and commercial radio stations, distribution of pre-event brochures and posters, billboards, email broadcasts, and postings on several web sites, blogs and networking sites.  Our community partners also assist with promoting the event.  A full list of artists, activities and locations is posted on the QWAC website (www.queenwestartcrawl.com) as well as a link from the PCDG web site (www.parkdalecdg.com) to the QWAC web site.  During the event, a Program Guide will list all artists participating in the Outdoor Art Show & Sale as well as details about all other programming.  The Program Guides will be available on site at Trinity Bellwoods Park and all other main areas of the event.

30.    How can I promote my participation in the Queen West Art Crawl?

PCDG will provide you with an emailable postcard for you to forward to all your contacts.  This will be sent to you in the weeks leading up to the event.  Posters will also be available to be picked up at the PCDG office.  You will be notified when they are available.