When I started applying to exhibitions and art shows at the beginning of my career I would always be a little frustrated with all the rules and specific wants of the different places I was trying to get my art in. Every submission required something done differently and it was all quite time taking considering all I wanted to do was paint! It was just a matter of moving out of my comfort zone, and once I organized myself it was more than worth the effort. It is just about investing time initially to make the process much quicker and easier for future use.
Now sitting at the other end of table, I realize just how important it is to follow those tips and rules when I receive and sift through submissions from other artists! So with my experience from either side of that table, I would like to share ten things you really need to do when you are submitting your work as an artist to different projects, shows, and exhibitions. This is basically for emerging artists, but believe it or not, I have seen submissions from mid-career and even very seasoned artists who still miss these very basic points!
1. Get on Social Media!
I know as an artist myself we are often juggling our day jobs with art, and time is very precious. Each moment we can spare we want to dedicate to creating, not the endless frustration of trying to photograph, video, edit and upload the documentation of our art and then having to think about something smart and catchy to write up as well! But you need to be on social media, if all you can manage to do is post pictures of your art then just start with that. If your work can’t be found by someone who is interested in seeing more of your art they will lose interest! Most submissions require an average of three pieces of work, but sometimes we feel we need to see more, if we can’t find you easily we don’t have the time to search! This leads me to point #2…
2. Instagram Should be Your Best Friend
Since we are talking about using that precious time wisely, if you have no other social media, you must at least create an Instagram account. Very easy to use, there are simple editing tools right on the app and all you need to do is upload that image right from your phone. Instagram is very visual and you don’t need to write a two-page artist statement if you don’t have the time! Just keep your phone handy while you are painting, take some quick photos and a short video or two. Then just post the images and videos to your account. Take a few minutes to learn how to use Reels. It is well worth the time and effort!
3. Have a Website
Keep it as simple as possible, there are free sites that are simple to learn and guide you step by step. I like WordPress but there is also Squarespace and Wix. It is the professional thing to do, so if you are serious about your art career, make sure you invest time and make your website. It puts all your information, experience, education, and art in one place and it makes you searchable! Pro-tip: make sure your website has your social media link(s) and vice versa. It is also a good idea to use your real name on your website and social media.
4. Keep Your Personal Life Off Your Social Media!
Please keep your social media for your art, the process, the occasional posts of coffee and your studio fur baby pics. Do not air your dirty laundry, closet skeletons, or woes on your social media! It is very unprofessional and can even be a turn-off. More often than not you will regret it later! Your struggles and experiences (good and bad ) as an artist are a different story as they can be an inspiration and learning for other artists.
5. Keep Your Name and Identity Consistent!
Please have an email address that has your name not something like crazypainter2@gmail.com. Your social media, website and email address should all be consistent and easily found. If we (organizers, jurors, etc ) can’t find you we will stop looking no matter how good your art is because there are fifty other artists we still have to email!
6. Send Properly Labelled Images
When you are getting ready to send images please read the naming convention required very carefully! Most places want your name, title and dimensions of the work. That means when you are going through your images on your computer right click on the image, select “rename” and make sure you rename it accordingly! Imagine having fifty artists that send three pieces of work each downloaded on your computer and none of those images have the artists’ names! Delete, delete, delete! Do this for all your images in your computer so you can also keep track of the titles, the years, the dimensions, and even prices. You can’t remember that for every single piece of art so it will save you time as well.
7. Send Images as Attachments and in the Required Format
Read the instructions for what format you need to send your images, PNG, JGP, PS whatever. If you send it in some format that the juror can’t open on their laptop into the trash it goes. They simply don’t have enough time to convert your images into something that their device will be able to read/open. Always attach them to your email not pasted into the body of the email itself unless of course it is asked for.
8. Don’t Fill Forms on Your Phone
There is nothing more irritating than getting an email from an artist asking the organization to send the form to them because they can’t fill the form from the website on their phone. If you are not willing to spend the time to do this properly neither is the organization! They are dealing with many other artists who took the time to download the form onto the desktop/laptop etc and did the work properly.
9. Hand-Filled Forms vs Digitally Filled Forms
Most forms are pretty easily filled right from your computer. Please fill them that way. If for whatever reason you absolutely can’t fill out the form on your computer and need to fill out the printed form then please make sure your handwriting is legible! We are not usually pharmacists used to deciphering doctor-like bad handwriting! Delete button-ouch!
10. Submit on Time!
Make notes of deadlines, or before you send in a late submission email the organization and explain why you couldn’t make the deadline and ask them if they would be willing to take a late submission (sometimes they can give you another day or two). Get your submission in on time, and give yourself enough time before the deadline in case something unexpected happens like your wifi conking out on you or your laptop not wanting to cooperate and deciding to do all the updates at that crucial moment!
We hope this helps. Good luck with all your creative endeavors in 2023!
About the Author
Khaula Siddique is a professional artist who loves bringing art to the community. She does this through unique exhibitions, interactive art events, and public art. You can see her public artwork throughout the GTA, follow her art shenanigans on Instagram at Khaula S Art and see more of her work on her website at Khaula Siddique.com
