Contracts…. so now I find myself with another dilemma.
In May 2013 I saw a really juicy exhibiting opportunity in the a-n ops section, and went for it. ‘If your work is perfect for an arts festival, big thinking and dynamic then contact us for the chance to take part in the exhibition in 2014’. An exhibition AND part of a major arts festival… hmmmm
‘CHARGES: There will be no submission or hanging fees and only a commission of 25% on all works sold.’
That sounds perfect I thought, sent off my proposal and was really pleased to find out that I was just one of two people that had been selected.
Over the following months, the gallery communicated well and I went to visit the space. It was quite difficult to find and I’d asked some passers by if they could point me in the right direction. Very few had heard of the gallery.
OK, never mind I thought, that’s the good thing about being part of a large festival – they produce a map and trail for people to follow.
So a contract came, and I was a bit surprised that they now asked for a £25 hanging fee. I’d lost the original listing, so I couldn’t be 100% sure that they’d mentioned this fee or not. So…signed the contract anyway and sent it off…. DUH!!
Months went by and then this week I received an email saying that they had decided not to be part of the festival and were going to run independently.
Ooo no…. I wasn’t happy about that at all. I had difficulty finding the place so I had visions of my work not being seen at all. The gallery was 50 miles from where I live, it would take me months to build the installation requested and I didn’t know anyone in the area. Would it still be worth me doing it?
I’ve signed the contract, so can I get out of it?
Yet another email to a-n’s Susan Jones….. Who must be regretting giving me her contact details by now! She was brilliant though, firstly finding the original listing – Yes, no fee and definitely part of the festival.
Nothing on my contract binding me either.
So now…. what to do?? :-(
