Emerging Artists Program
Closed for 2017. Applications will open Feb. 2018
Exhibiting Emerging Artists in 2017. Come see them in Booth CP-38.
Call for Emerging Artists / Program Prospectus
We are extremely excited to announce the continuation of the St James Court Art Show Emerging Artist Program as part of our ongoing celebration to honor 60 years of success. Consistently ranked by artists as one of the top 10 in the country for sales at outdoor art shows, St James brings the largest collection of nationally recognized artists to Louisville for the enjoyment of patrons from equally as far. To ensure another 60 thriving years, we have created this program to help emerging artists break into the business and hopefully contribute to the long-term vibrancy of our industry.
The Emerging Artist Program is first and foremost a mentor program; a boot camp of sorts designed to expose the participant to years of experience in a short period, learning from others’ wisdom and mistakes and eventually exhibiting without most of the expense typically associated with art show participation. It is specifically meant for artists who have completed their formal education and are in the early stages of their career, who are not earning significant income selling work and have not already done major shows or galleries. Applicant artists aspire to earn a living as an artist, have demonstrated some commitment toward this, are willing to accept guidance and constructive criticism from veterans in the business, are willing to cooperate and collaborate with other accepted emerging artists, are self-motivated and have the drive to persevere. Applicants must primarily reside or work in Kentucky, or Floyd or Clark counties in IN, have not participated in a juried, ranked art show, and have not applied as a regular artist to the SJCAS.
We welcome and encourage all genres and aesthetics to apply. Please only apply if you can adhere to all aspects of the program and are willing to complete both years.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2017
Acceptance Notification: July 1, 2017
Notification Method: Email
Application Fee: No fee to apply
Booth Fee: No fee for accepted Emerging Artists
Year 1: 2017
Accepted artists will attend an orientation 4–6 weeks pre-show, and work at the St James Court Art Show (SJCAS) the full 4 days. At the orientation the Emerging Artist (EA) team will meet for the first time, receive the schedule for show weekend, and go over what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience. EA team members will be assigned to work with both show personnel and artists to learn both sides of set up and load out. They will work shifts in artist’s booths, walk the show with artist mentors, participate in street juries, attend social gatherings, have unscheduled time to walk the show, and participate in a debriefing just before show-close. The more fully a participant engages, the richer the experience will be.
2017 Mandatory Participation Dates
(Seminars and meetings are subject to change, participants must have some flexibility)
4–6 weeks pre-show (likely a Sunday)
In person Orientation
Approx. Duration: 2 hours
10/5/17
Show Set-up day
Approx. Duration: 8 hours
10/6/17
SJCAS – Day 1
Approx. Duration: 9 hours
10/7/17
SJCAS – Day 2
Approx. Duration: 10 hours
10/8/17
SJCAS – Day 3
Approx. Duration: 10 hours
Year 2: 2018
Accepted artists will attend a seminar in the early part of the year with industry professionals who will discuss all aspects of selling art from portfolio creation and marketing, to show set-up and logistics, work together with the EA team through the year to collaborate on the exhibition, and finally, exhibit in the 2018 St James Court Art Show!
2018 Mandatory Participation Dates (Seminars and meetings are subject to change, participants must have some flexibility):
Full day in Feb. (likely a Sunday)
Mentor Seminar
Approx. Duration: 8 hours
10/4/18
Show Set-up day
Approx. Duration: 4 – 8 hours as needed
10/5/18
SJCAS – Day 1
Approx. Duration: 9 hours
10/6/18
SJCAS – Day 2
Approx. Duration: 9 hours
10/7/18
SJCAS – Day 3
Approx. Duration: 9 hours
4–6 weeks post-show
Wrap-up Meeting
Approx. Duration: 2 hours