Some of the world's greatest artists were motivated by their hometown. What about Durham inspires you?
Fall 2010 Artwalk Artists.
DAW ARTISTS Q&A
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
DAW is open to all artists from amateur to professional who produce their own artwork.
WHY WOULD AN ARTIST WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
DAW provides artists at any level a chance to display and sell their art directly to art buyers.
HOW IS DAW DIFFERENT THAN A STUDIO TOUR?
Each spring, the Durham Art Walk sites are spread throughout downtown and can be visited on foot, unlike many studio tours where distance requires transportation from studio to studio. DAW takes place in downtown Durham’s artist studios, galleries, restaurants, businesses, and store fronts.
Each fall, Durham Art Walk is condensed to a few large central locations in downtown Durham. These venues are spacious, accommodating large numbers of artists indoors and visitor traffic is more concentrated than the spring event.
I OWN A STUDIO OR APARTMENT/LOFT DOWNTOWN, CAN THIS BE MY SITE?
Yes, there are many artists who live and/or have studios in downtown Durham which they can use as a site (for the spring event only).
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A STUDIO, APARTMENT/LOFT DOWNTOWN?
In the spring, artists who do not have a studio or downtown space will be assigned sites on a first come first served basis. There are many businesses, restaurants, and store fronts owned by downtown developers who will allow us to use their space for these weekends.
I KNOW THE OWNER OF A SPACE IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM AND WOULD LIKE TO USE THAT SPACE?
Great! We are always looking for new spaces (sites) to host during Durham Art Walk! You will have to register as an artist and the owner of the space will need to contact Barclay McConnell, at 560-2719, to discuss participating as a site or a sponsor.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR AN INDIVIDUAL ARTIST TO PARTICIPATE?
Participation fee for an individual artist for both the November and April Art Walk is $100. Participation fee for only one Art Walk is $60. Discounts are not available if you participate for less than the full weekend.
HOW DOES DAW PUBLICIZE THIS EVENT?
DAW publicizes the event through event postcards, posters, the program guide printed by the Herald Sun and inserted in the paper, the website, email blasts, press releases, advertising, on-line calendar listings, Facebook and Twitter. DAW will provide postcards and posters for participants to distribute. DAW will also include participants on promotional email blasts which they can forward to their networks. Artists are listed on the Durham Art Walk website with links to their websites and in the program guide.
WHAT CAN I (AS AN ARTIST) DO TO HELP MY ART SALES?
DAW is a group marketing group effort between the Durham Arts Council, the artists, sites and sponsors. Artists are responsible for promoting their own participation to their clients and friends, through postcards, websites, email updates, Twitter, Facebook and other available media. We ask that all participants link their website to the DAW site and do their part to help promote the event to their constituencies.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Artists are responsible for providing everything they may need to set up their space. Tables, chairs, easels, panels, lighting, credit card machines, etc. Some artists will also bring food and drinks for the DAW visitors, this is not required. Don’t forget business cards and a sign in book for guests – this way if visitors are interested in your art they can get back in touch with you at a later date.
WHEN WILL I KNOW WHAT SPACE I’M ASSIGNED TO?
DAW will contact you by October 15 for the November DAW and March 15 for the April DAW, with the location and contact information of the site you will be in. Artists are then responsible for contacting the site owner and coordinating set up and take down with the owner.
HOW DO WE MAKE SALES?
Artists who make direct sales to customers are responsible for sales tax (7.75%), and pay no commission to DAW or the site (unless they are in a previously established gallery/store agreement).
IS THERE SECURITY?
No, all participants are responsible for their property during this event. Neither Durham Arts Council nor the City of Durham provide security or insurance to cover participants or property. There is no security personnel contracted to monitor the site during the event hours or overnight.