SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED: OCTOBER 10, 2022
The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art and Kelowna Art Gallery are seeking submission proposals for works to be included in the newest edition of Alternator ArtMart and the launch of the KAG ArtMart, vending machines offering work by local artists available to purchase.
While the Alternator ArtMart will be located in the tasting room of BNA Brewing, our newest machine will be located in the Kelowna Art Gallery (1315 Water St).
Works accepted for the ArtMart will represent a variety of mediums and themes that focus on community engagement. Those selected for participation in the project will receive an honorarium, production funds to assist with the creation of work, and a commission on all sales of work through the project.
Deadline for submissions: October 10, 2022.
The ArtMart is made possible by the generous support of the Central Okanagan Foundation.
FAQs
How do I submit?
Submissions are accepted online here.
All submissions must include the following information, contained in a single PDF file:
A brief (approximately 100 words) artist statement/bio (This statement will be used for promotion, and will not be evaluated as part of your proposal.)
A brief (approximately 25 words) project description. (This statement will be used for promotion, and will not be evaluated as part of your proposal.
Provide a detailed description of the project, including information about the medium, approximate size, price of items available, and the number of works in the edition and any other information about the formal qualities of the work (Maximum 250 words)
Provide information about how this project is aligned to the Kelowna Art Gallery’s mandate. (Maximum 250 words)
Are there any other details or information that will help us better understand your project? Include them here. (Maximum 100 words)
Embed a minimum of one, and a maximum of 10 images that will help us visualize your project. This may include sketches or models of works that have yet to be produced or images of completed work(s). Please indicate which image you would like to be used as a promotional image if you are selected for this project.
Who can submit work?
All applicants selected to exhibit work in the ArtMart must be Kelowna Art Gallery members and/or Alternator members.
However, if you don’t currently have a membership but would still like to submit work for consideration, that’s okay! On acceptance of your proposal, you will be prompted to complete your membership.
How do I become a Kelowna Art Gallery member and/or Alternator member?
Click the link below to fill out the Kelowna Art Gallery membership form.
Membership Form | Kelowna Art Gallery
Memberships | Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
What type of work are you looking for?
Works accepted for the ArtMart will represent a variety of mediums and themes and will embody the project’s focus on community engagement. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box!
Art pieces should be unique and appeal to the public. Some examples of types of works that will be considered include (but are not limited to):
Printed matter, such as zines, artists’ books and pocketbooks, instructions or artist cards.
Items to be worn, such as various types of jewelry, temporary tattoos, buttons or pins.
Performative and play objects, such as finger puppets, toys or small games.
Sculptural objects, such as those that have been 3D printed, crafted, sewn and stitched, or formed.
Customized stamps, stickers, badges or other design items.
Original, two-dimensional art pieces that have been crafted.
Works must be made available in an edition or series. Artists are expected to provide a minimum of 20 objects. Artists are required to supply business cards to be included with their items in the ArtMart.
Do all of the works in my edition have to be identical?
In short, no! We are looking for original work, which by nature may be slightly different each time. However, each item must be the same size and have either thematic or process-based consistency.
If your works are drastically different from each other, please submit each edition/series as a separate proposal.
Are there any types of works that will not be considered?
We cannot include works in the ArtMart that:
contain perishable or food items;
are not appropriate for all ages. (The ArtMart will be in public spaces); or
may break when being dispensed from the vending machine.
Simple reproductions of art pieces are discouraged. (For instance, reprinted postcards from paintings.)
What are the selection criteria for proposals?
Quality of work
Artistic Merit
Workmanship
Diversity of works available for sale
Medium
Size
Price
Artistic context
Can I submit more than one proposal?
Yes! Each artist can submit up to three proposals.
Given the size limitations of the vending machine format, selection consideration will be weighted towards diverse sizes and price points. If you choose to submit more than one proposal, we recommend you propose works that are different sizes to allow for your best chance of success!
What size should the works be?
There are four sizes of slots available in the vending machine:
6’’ wide by 2 inches deep
6” wide by 1.25 inches deep
3’’ wide by 1.5 inches deep
3” wide by 3.5 deep
This is the maximum width and depth of the space, so objects will dispense most efficiently if they are under the dimensions listed above.
What about packaging?
The Alternator will oversee the installation of artworks to the vending machine. As part of this process, we may need to modify some presentation aspects of your works to allow them to dispense appropriately (for instance, adding a backing card). No modifications will be made that fundamentally alter the integrity of your works.
We encourage all submitting artists to consider the sustainability of packaging for their artwork and include information about it in your proposal. Staff will be available to discuss your packaging requirements on successful application to the project.
If your artwork will need to be presented in a specific way to fit inside the machine, please note in your proposal how you intend to prepare it for display: for instance, a t-shirt that may need to be rolled to fit the vending machine slot. If your work is selected and we are concerned about its ability to dispense as you have described, we will reach out to you to discuss solutions.
How much should I sell my work for?
You can price your artwork anywhere between $1.00 -$99.00.
The types of works you propose should reflect an appropriate financial return. (Don’t undervalue your work, but also keep in mind that the most popular works sold are often under $40.00.) We aim to have items of various price points available for purchase in both machines.
What works have sold the best in past editions?
Because the artworks are experienced behind glass, those that can stand out in some way tend to be most successful in the ArtMart. For instance, popular items to date have been brightly coloured or have high contrast.
People tend to buy work that resonates with them and is of high quality. While works in the ArtMart may be priced up to $99.00, historically works that are priced $40.00 and under have been the most popular.
Are the Alternator & Kelowna Art Gallery able to provide any support for production to artists selected to participate?
Yes, a $150 honorarium and production support will be provided to selected artists participating in the project.
Payments will be disbursed to artists within seven days of completed work being delivered to the gallery. If you require production support prior to this time in order to create your edition, please get in touch.
What is the commission and how are the proceeds of sales distributed?
All proceeds from this edition will be split 50/50 between the artist and the partner organization(s) the Kelowna Art Gallery and Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. For example, artists will receive 50% of the sales revenue from works sold, and the galleries will receive the remaining 50%.
Artists will receive payment for sold works within three weeks after the completion of the edition.
What happens if I have works that aren’t sold?
All unsold works will be returned to the artist within three weeks of completion of the edition.
Where will the vending machines be located?
There are two ArtMarts that will be in different locations.
Kelowna Art Gallery at 1315 Water St, in Kelowna, B.C.
BNA Brewing Tasting Room (1250 Ellis St. Kelowna, BC)
If my work is selected, can I choose which ArtMart location my artwork goes into?
No. All submissions will be reviewed by the jury and assigned to the ArtMart to ensure there is a variety of different artworks and price points in each.
Do I need to live in Kelowna or the Okanagan Region to participate?
No. However artists living outside of the Okanagan region will be responsible for costs related to shipping their artwork to Kelowna, as required.
What happens if my work is selected?
Successful applicants will be notified by October 18, 2022.
Selected artists will be required to deliver the final edition of their works by November 15, 2022.
I am from a business or an arts organization and I would like to host the ArtMart. What do I need to know?
We are always looking for new sites and partners for the ArtMart. Organizations and businesses operating in the Central Okanagan are eligible to participate as either a partner organization or a site.
Partner Organization: A non-profit organization that has a central mandate focusing on the arts (of any discipline). The call for submissions for editions done with partners will be open to their members only, and proceeds from commissions will go to the partner organization.
Site: A private business or public location that is interested in hosting the ArtMart, but does not have a central mandate of supporting art or artists.
The ArtMart provides a unique offering to existing customers and exposes artists to new audiences. If you are interested in being a partner organization or site, please get in touch at info@alternatorcentre.com.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact us with any additional questions.
Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art: info@alternatorcentre.com
Kelowna Art Gallery: christine@kelownaartgallery.com
Media inquiries can be sent to:
Lorna McParland
Artistic & Administrative Director
Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
Lorna@alternatorcentre.com
250 868 2298
Or
Josh Desnoyers
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Kelowna Art Gallery
josh@kelownaartgallery.com
250-762-2226 ext: 305