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Participate 2020

OPEN STUDIO HARTFORD 2020 - An ALL-NEW VIRTUAL EDITION

INTRODUCTION: For the past 30 years, OSH has been an expansive, city-wide event providing a great place for artists to show their work to thousands of visitors in a face-to-face environment, sell artwork or custom services, nurture dedicated followers and develop new relationships. In recent years, 400 artists have participated annually in dozens of venues bringing thousands of visitors to Hartford's neighborhoods. Artists In Real Time, Inc. (ART), producers of OSH, support and promote the arts, the individual artists and their work, and inspire community creativity.

- 2020 REINVENTION: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OSH will take place online featuring a brand-new Online Gallery and individual Artist Profiles with images, prices, other information, links and videos. We wish to continue to offer just as many opportunities for sales and visibility at a reasonable rate without the effort involved in studio visits, setting up a space as a visiting artist or manning the event for an entire weekend. By-appointment visits to your studio are optional.

New features on the website and comprehensive marketing are focused on increasing community awareness and audience numbers by giving visitors the freedom to access artists and artwork by browsing our Online Gallery and discovering new artists at their convenience.

As we fine tune the registration process and our new virtual presence, participants can expect lots of communication so we can craft your experience to your liking and find out what pieces of information on your Artist Profile are important to you. We look forward to your participation!

DETAILS

To jump to Online Registration Form, CLICK HERE

#Who Participates - #Dates-Deadlines - #Online Gallery - #Artist Profiles - #Videos - #Sales - #Fees - #Open Your Studio - #Register - #Payment -

#Further Information including Sales, Volunteers, Sponsors, Insurance - #Questions

- PARTICIPANTS - OSH accepts art of all mediums, genres and skill levels. Individuals artists and crafters, educational institutions, arts organizations and art-related businesses are all welcome to participate. Performing artists and organizations - Dance, Music, Film, Poetry & Performance Art etc - are also welcome.

- DATES & DEADLINES - Instead of an in-person weekend-long event, this year, the website will launch at the beginning of November and remain active through 1/1/2021. No deadline apply; your registration will be processed upon receipt.

- BRAND-NEW ONLINE GALLERY - Artists will be represented in an attractive Online Gallery replacing the artist list from recent years. It will feature one art image of your choosing, your Publication Name and either medium, price range, or cost of the shown artwork which clicks to the Artist’s Profile Page.

- ARTIST PROFILE PAGES - This year's individual artist pages will have many new features. Along with name, medium and description of your work, your 4 images will have captions that include title, dimensions and price. Your contact info will include ALL choices instead of just one. The Artist Statement/Bio field will accept "unlimited" copy, information, additional artwork, links to your pre-existing online content AND VIDEO files and links.

- PREVIOUS ARTIST PROFILE PAGES – If you have participated before and would like to use a previous Artist Profile as a guide, links are now available to be emailed to you.

- VIDEOS - Artist can provide video interviews, studio tours and live demonstrations by including files or links with your registration or adding them throughout the promotional period. OSH will try to assist those that may not have the means or expertise to produce their own video. Videos will appear on Artist Profile Pages and used for online promotions.

-SALES - Attention will be called to sales immediately upon visitor engagement on the Home Page and Online Gallery. As we get closer to the November launch date, the sales and Paypal mechanisms will be functional.

- FEES - $25 for participation through 1/1/2021. If you cannot afford your fee, ART may be able to help. Sponsorships, artist sponsorships and tax deductible donations are accepted. No deadlines apply.

- OPENING YOUR STUDIO or VENUE (OPTIONAL) - One-on-One visits can be scheduled by appointment. OSH offers assistance as needed. CDC guidelines should be followed including the use of face masks and social distancing.

- REGISTRATION – Online form CLICK HERE. This is currently a "low-tech" form but counts as a formal registration. Once your form is received, OSH will be in touch to instruct you of your next steps including emailing images with title, dimensions and price, other copy, links and additional images with captions.
2020 Registration Form PDF
2020 Registration Form Type-In Word document

- PAYMENT OPTIONS ($25) - To pay online, Click Here
Or mail check to Artists in Real Time (ART), PO Box 1138, Hartford, CT 06143

- EXTENDED PARTICIPATION - Artists will have the option of extending participation and the visibility of their pages into 2021. Stay tuned for details!

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Sales: OSH does not take a percentage for sales handled directly by the artist. Please check back for information on sales taken through the website. You may sell prints, other artistic projects and commission customized work for the future. Technically, to sell goods in CT, a Tax # is required by law but this is the responsibility of the vendor. OSH does not currently require artists and vendors to supply this information. Go to: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/New-Business-Portal/Registration-Information#7 for a one-time fee.

Credit Cards: We suggest that you equip yourself to accept card payments. Among others, you can use Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader-how-to) or Square (https://squareup.com/start). Both have swipers that connect into smart phones. Both take a percentage of the total sale and have a smartphone app to download. You can use your data over your phone plan for sales or connect via wifi. Swipers are free or can be purchased retail.

Committees & Volunteers: Consider lending your help and expertise (or that of your contacts, friends or family) in all areas including marketing, administration, distribution of printed materials and fundraising.

Donations: OSH is produced by Artists in Real Time, Inc. (ART), a non-profit organization, running on a small budget. Please think of us if you have access to goods or services that would be helpful in our general operations, supplies, copy and print capabilities, etc.

Sponsors: Sponsorships are an important part of the OSH budget and this year is no different. Funds are needed for the event to operate optimally online and to promote OSH effectively. Please work with us if you have contacts for corporate, individual or in-kind sponsors. Formal and personalized solicitation kits are available.

Insurance and Liability: ART, Cynthia Bulaong and her staff, assume no responsibility for the value of artwork or incidents. The artist is responsible for their own insurance against theft or damage at any time. Read below:

Individual Artist Insurance: Artists can purchase low-cost, short-term insurance policies at companies such as www.actinsurance.com. Artists in Real Time, Inc., PO Box 1138, Hartford, CT 06143 can be added as Additionally Insured.

Sponsored Artists: If you cannot afford your application fee, ART may be able to help.

Questions:

Contact Cynthia Bulaong at i nfo@openstudiohartford.com

Make a $25 payment for Virtual Participation, Click Here

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