TRI-COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
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Routes to Art 2020 Guidelines

Critical Dates
Wed, February 19: Committee Meeting at Arts Council,
4 pm

​Wed, March 18: Committee Meeting at Arts Council, 4 pm

April 1, 2020: Sales Tax Certificate due

​April 15: All Artists Meeting at Arts Council, 4 pm

Sat, April 18: Marketing Workshop 1-5 pm

May 16 & 17: Routes to Art Tour, 10 am-5 pm daily

​May 27: Wrap-Up Meeting; Studio Log-in Sheets due

How to Enter (1-5)
1. Complete the online Application.
​

2. Images: Upload 4 images of NEW work (created within the last year ONLY) and one image of YOU.
Please note:
  • The images of your art will be used in jurying, as well as for marketing materials, and on the website. It is very important that they be of the highest quality and clarity. Images remain on file at Tri-County Arts to be used in promotional materials.  And remember, the better the images, the more likely we will use your images to promote RTA in newspapers, on postcards, and in other marketing materials.
  • Required!  One image of you, ideally a close up of you working on your artwork or in front of your studio. The images we will most likely use for newspaper publicity will be of smiling artists showing off their work.
  • Digital Images: preferred image size is five inches or greater (long dimension) at 300 dpi; minimum image size is 2 inches (long dimension) at 300 dpi; please call Tri-County Arts if you have questions. When choosing file types, first choice is TIFF. Select “highest quality” and do not use compression. Jpgs are a second choice, but make sure highest quality is chosen and that the resolution is at least 300 dpi. If possible, crop to exclude unwanted background elements (wall, frame, etc.). The name you give your image should be your last name followed by one word from title.  (David Beale’s image “highway 50” would be named: BealeHighway.tiff).

3. Notification of Acceptance
Routes to Art is juried. Artists that are accepted must show work that is of original design, well conceived, and of professional quality. Applications will be reviewed and images will be juried by the 2020 Artist Planning Committee in accordance with the standards established. Applicants will receive an email detailing their status with Routes to Art. New Artists: please do not pay 50% or full amount until you have received a notification of acceptance.
​

4. Payment and Schedule
  The 2020 Routes to Art Vendor for is $225.

  Returning Artists
:
  50% at application; balance by February 20, 2020
  New Artists:
  50% upon acceptance; balance by February 20, 2020.

Make checks payable to Tri-County Arts Council, or pay online at www.myartscouncil.net or you may call Tri-County Arts, (716) 372-7455 to process payment by phone.
Routes to Art - Full Fee
$
225.00    
​
5. Artist Participation
  • Attend the April 15 All Artists General Meeting, if possible.
  • Put up posters, and yard signs.
  • Use social media to promote your studio, and the Routes to Art program.
  • Collect photos of people in studios, of your work and you working in your studio.
  • Participate in promoting the show to help yourself and fellow artists.
  • Check the placement of your google map indicator and contact Arts Council staff (info@myartscouncil.net) if it needs to be shifted.
  • Artist must be in studio on both tour days May 16 & 17, and open from 10am to 5pm.

Application checklist:
_____ Completed online application form
_____ 5 Images (4 of artwork and 1 self-portrait)
_____ Payment - no later than February 20, 2020.

​
Professional Development & Resources

If accepted into RTA, a community of artists will be present to assist you in being successful for RTA and your career as an artist.  Resources may include depending on interests: social media marketing, booth display and setup, and website development.
What is Routes to Art?  Routes to Art, held on May 16 & 17, 2020, is a self-guided open studio tour.

Where is Routes to Art?  The Routes to Art Open Studio Tour takes place in artist’s studios, and private homes of participating artists in Cattaraugus County. Maps available on the Arts Council website and in various locations throughout the county will guide you through the tour.

Why YOU should be part of Routes to Art?  Marketing! Routes to Art (RTA) is a regional marketing and promotion program for area artists.  We’ve designed RTA as a cultural tourism program to heighten awareness of the quality of art being created throughout the Cattaraugus region while increasing tourism visits to the area.  Ultimately, RTA can mean more income for you by creating more opportunities for the sale of your art. RTA took a break for a few years, but we were happy to reintroduce it in 2019 because it is a very important economic development tool using the arts community as a catalyst for positive change in Cattaraugus region-- in short, we’re improving the quality of life in our region.

Who is eligible to be a part of RTA?
Routes to Art is for fine artists and artisans residing in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania.  All artists must show in Cattaraugus County and in these regional areas: Olean, Allegany, Salamanca, Little Valley, Ellicottville and East Otto.

Piggyback Studios
Piggyback Studio Artisans exhibit as the guest of another accepted studio. This arrangement allows artisans to participate even when their studios are in remote areas. Piggybacking studios pay the same fee and get the same coverage as other studios in the promotion of the tour. Those unable to piggyback may use a suitable location if the board approves it and they demonstrate their craft for visitors. This option is suitable for artisans who live outside of Cattaraugus County but would still like to participate in the RTA event.

Deadlines
All application materials must be completed online by 
​
Thursday, February 20, 2020.

Artist Obligation
  • The open studio weekend is May 16 & 17 from  10 am - 5 pm each day. Artists accepted into the Routes to Art program must be in their studio or at the host site on these days and times; a closed studio affects the integrity of the entire open studio event as it is vitally important that visitors not travel to closed studios. If an emergency or sickness arises, artists must find someone to staff their studios during these times.
  • Artists are responsible for displaying provided Routes to Art identification signs to help patrons locate your studio.
  • Artists must collect appropriate sales taxes on the open studio weekend and will be expected to provide a copy of a Sales Tax Certificate of Authority by April 1, 2020.  New York State residents may apply for a certificate at www.tax.ny.gov.  Pennsylvania residents may apply at www.pa100.state.pa.us.
  • Artists must collect visitor information to document the success of the event for grant reporting; Tri-County Arts will provide sign-in sheets for this purpose.  Final reporting includes sharing sales figures with Tri-County Arts. All information will be kept confidential. Studio log-in sheets must be turned in to Tri-County Arts by Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
  • Artists will be expected to meet all deadlines for artist statements, digital images, applications, fees, mailing lists, etc.
  • Artists will be expected to proofread their own brochure and web entries and return edits by stated deadlines.
  • Tri-County Arts asks that the accepted artist assist in the marketing and promotion of the event by handing out posters, posting about the event on social media, and sharing information.
  • NOTE: Tri-County Arts does not offer insurance for artists, participants and/or patrons of this event.  It is advised that all participants investigate their personal homeowner or business insurance policies to learn if you are covered for any accidental injuries patrons might incur on your property during the event.
Discount for Committee Participation
Those artists interested and available to assist the Arts Council with this event can receive a refund at the conclusion of the annual studio tour in exchange for participation in RTA Committees. Artists must commit to and attend three of the four meetings, and assist with tasks to further the goals of RTA. If artists are unable to fulfill the commitment of meetings/assigned tasks, refunds will be forfeited. The dates of meetings are outlined below and all take place at Tri-County Arts, 110 W. State Street, Olean, NY:
  • February 19 - Committee Meeting, 4 pm. Committee assignments will be made, and tasks distributed among those interested in being more directly involved.
  • March 18 - Committee Meeting, 4 pm
  • April 15 - All Artists General Meeting/Committee Meeting, 4 pm. Distribution of promotional materials including yard signs and other promotional signs. If you cannot attend, make arrangements with the signage committee to collect your materials.
  • May 27 - Post Tour Wrap Up - General Meeting, at ​4 pm  for all members for post-tour business, and assessment of show. Additional online survey will be sent to gather feedback.

​​​Questions?
Tri-County Arts Council (716) 372-7455 
info@myartscouncil.net
Tri-County Arts Council Policies
  • Artists should display in their studio, gallery or homes. Patrons like to visit the “real” spaces.
  • Artists MUST be members of the Tri-County Arts Council; membership information is available at any time at www.myartscouncil.net.
  • The annual fee applies to each individual artist, i.e. one artist, one fee.  Multiple artists (artists who share the same studio but have distinct bodies of work) must each apply separately.  Artists who create collaborative work may be able to apply under one application and fee (subject to approval).
  • The annual RTA fee gives artists the benefit of the mass exposure through advertisements, media releases, and website. The fee supports all marketing and operating costs related to the promotion of RTA.
  • Submission of application and fee is considered a commitment to participate, and once the artist is notified of acceptance, the fee is non-refundable. For returning artists, 50% is due at the time of application; for new artists 50% due on acceptance. Payments may be made by check or online at www.myartscouncil.net.
  • All work must be original and executed by the accepted artist. Work produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms, or commercial methods is not eligible. T-shirts, commercial clothing, and reproductions are not eligible. By signing/initialing this application, you affirm to hands-on involvement in the creation and execution of each piece of work that is exhibited.
  • Exhibited work must be consistent with the images submitted by the artist and will follow event guidelines. Tri-County Arts retains the right to remove any work from exhibition.  
  • High quality limited edition prints are acceptable, preferably signed, and numbered by the artist.
  • Prints of photographs made from the artist's original negative must be limited to an edition of no more than 250 from one image (negative) inclusive of all sizes, must be hand processed, signed and numbered by the artist.
  • Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each must be signed.
  • Only artists who have been accepted in the jewelry category are permitted to display and sell jewelry.
  • Paintings, graphics, prints, and photographs must be appropriately framed or matted, and must be displayed in a suitable portfolio or stand.
  • Only the work of the artist may be displayed or sold.
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  • Home
  • Artisan Market
    • ARTIST DIRECTORY
  • Gallery
  • Events
    • ART RAFFLE
    • Celebration of the Arts
    • Southern Tier Biennial
  • Classes
    • Current Classes
    • Previous Classes
  • Grants
  • Giving/Membership
  • Services