If you’re a creative soul from the North Shore looking for a place to home your creations, now is your chance to apply for space in Salem’s Artists’ Row. Details are per the city of Salem:
“From The City of Salem: Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is looking for Creative Entrepreneurs to participate in the 15th season of Artists’ Row, a City of Salem Art Space Initiative. Artists’ Row is centrally located in historic downtown Salem at 24 New Derby St., across from Old Town Hall and Derby Square. This area at the heart of the City was originally built as a marketplace and continues to be a thriving public plaza and pedestrian way.
Artists’ Row is a seasonal program (May 16-Dec. 31, 2019) that provides space for artisans looking to build their audience through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem. Artists’ Row is envisioned as a “front porch” shared by artists and visitors, enjoying unusual arts-related goods and activities in an animated public place. The variety of activities considered for Artists’ Row spaces includes uniquely produced or hand-crafted products and artwork that appeal to a wide audience.
The City is interested in activities that will contribute to the vibrancy of Artists’ Row and this important gateway to Salem’s bustling downtown. Of particular interest are placemaking activities that help residents and visitors re-imagine public spaces as places to play, engage and create.
PROGRAM GOALS
To create a lively atmosphere and add to the diverse cultural offerings available for residents and tourists visiting historic downtown Salem.
To give individuals or partnerships an opportunity to share their unique products and artisanal practices with the public in an engaged retail environment.
To offer cultural enrichment to the public in the form of free and open workshops (demonstrations, presentations, performances, participatory activities) given by participants relating to the materials and practices of the producers and their unique products.
To contribute to the ongoing economic vitality of downtown Salem
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
All Creative Entrepreneurs, regardless of race, gender, belief, national origin, sexual origin, or physical disabilities, are eligible to apply
Participants of Artists’ Row will offer a unique and diverse array of art and handcrafted products
Participants will use art to animate and engage community and neighborhood spaces
No commissions are charged, participants retain 100% of sales from their products
There are four stalls available for licensing through this program (refer to attached map for stall locations and sizes)
The three larger of the four stalls are able to be shared and/or subdivided. Please indicate in your application if you are interested in sharing or splitting a larger stall.
*The City maintains the exclusive right to sub-lease/divide the Artists’ Row spaces– all participants and partnerships MUST be approved and managed by the City
Monthly Rental Fee:
Stall 1: Whole (1,008 sq. ft.): $500 Stall 2: Whole (943 sq. ft.): $450
Stall 4: Whole (689 sq. ft.): $400 Stall 5: Whole (357 sq. ft.): $250
2019 Artists’ Row Season:
Open to the public May 16-Dec. 31, 2019.
Deadline for Submission:
By or before 12:00 pm (noon) Friday, March 1, 2019. Hand deliver or mail completed applications to:
Department of Planning and Community Development
Attn. Kate Luchini
City Hall Annex, 98 Washington St.
Salem, MA 01970.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Products:
All work MUST be created by the individuals participating in the program and must be original handcrafted works or products. Mass produced or manufactured works are not acceptable (sales representatives and agents are not eligible).
All prices for artwork or handcrafted products MUST be visible to the public. Participants are responsible for collecting sales tax.
Selected participants are responsible for transporting all products, support material and equipment to and from the site, and for all installation, display and sales.
License Agreement:
Art stalls MUST be staffed and open to the public during the following mandatory times:
Hours, from May 16-October 31, 2019:
Noon-6:00 pm Monday, Wednesday and Sunday
Noon-7:00 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Hours, from October 31-December 31, 2019:
Noon-6:00 pm Thursday-Sunday
Selected participants will be required to sign a License Agreement with the City of Salem.
Selected participants are required to provide a $500 security deposit for the use of one stall. The security deposit will be refunded at the end of the season if the stall is returned to the City in a reasonable condition and all program requirements are satisfied.
Selected participants are responsible for securing their own liability insurance. The City of Salem is not responsible for damage to work caused by the elements, theft or vandalism.
Selected participants shall be responsible for payment of electricity and, if desired, phone and internet service. Participants are required to remove their own trash.
Selected participants MUST attend mandatory monthly meetings with the City’s Program Manager and Salem Main Street’s Director, which typically occur the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 am at the City Hall Annex, 98 Washington St., 2nd floor conference room.
At the end of the 2019 season, participants are responsible for removal of all of their work, equipment and furnishings, and for cleaning the stall prior to final inspection by the City’s Program Manager. All participants MUST vacate stalls before or by January 10, 2020 unless other arrangements are made with the Program Manager.
Community Engagement/Programming:
Participants are expected to provide complimentary workshops, demonstrations, and/or performances to the public throughout the 2019 season, including one monthly collaborative event supported by all Artists’ Row participants. Participants are responsible for staffing, supplies, marketing and outreach for public programming.
Collaborations (with other Artists’ Row participants, artists, local businesses, nonprofits and cultural institutions) to present public programs and contribute to community engagement and economic development are strongly encouraged. The City will support participants in reaching out to potential partners.
Participants are expected to maintain an active social media presence to promote both their own work and Artists’ Row activities.
Vending program on the Row: The City invites juried artists/vendors for a fee to showcase and sell their work on designated days and areas on Artists’ Row. Products include fine art and handcrafted items.
Signage/Marketing:
Selected participants are responsible for the costs associated with the fabrication and installation of an exterior business sign. Exterior business signs can only be installed on the existing sign pole and the design and layout of the sign MUST be reviewed and approved by the City of Salem Redevelopment Authority and its Design Review Board, prior to fabrication and installation.
Selected participants will be encouraged to present a proposal to the Program Manager for temporary exterior enhancements to their stalls. These could include features such as seating for the public, plants and garden elements, decorative lights, unique displays related to the products being sold, or other components that contribute to a lively and appealing environment between New Derby and Front Streets throughout the season. (Features need approval by the City of Salem Redevelopment Authority and its Design Review Board.)
To promote Artists’ Row businesses and public workshops/performances and events, examples of marketing materials may include but are not limited to: posters, rack cards, social media and press releases to local media
SELECTION CRITERIA
The final selection of Artists’ Row participants is based on the following criteria:
Quality of products and uniqueness of materials and/or methods.
Appropriateness and scope of appeal for Artists’ Row setting and an audience of diverse ages and backgrounds
Variety of products among the four spaces within the City’s goal of selecting diverse representation of cultures, products, or styles.
Quality of interactive workshops and/or performances for the general public
Potential of participants’ work to contribute to a lively atmosphere in a marketplace area and
The vibrancy of daily life in the City
Ability to work well with other participants in a group setting
Potential to contribute to downtown’s ongoing economic development
SELECTION PROCESS
The Public Art Commission will evaluate proposals and select participants for the 2019 Artists’ Row season. Notifications will be sent no later than March 29, 2019.
TIMELINE
March 1, 2019: Deadline for application
March 29, 2019: Notification to applicants
April/May, 2019: Prepare space– complete signage application
May 16, 2019: Opening Day
January 1, 2020: Closing Day
January 1-10, 2020: Clean and vacate stall
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS/CHECKLIST
Applicants MUST attach the following items to the Application, in order to be considered for the Program:
Detailed description of work you are presenting/selling, the number of participants in your groups and the proposed name of your enterprise.
Professional resumes of all participants
Description of the proposed free community workshops, demonstrations, and/or performances you plan to provide to the general public that appeal to all ages and backgrounds.
Physical plans for the stall you are looking to occupy, including the equipment you would be bringing into the space and any proposed interior improvements.
Ten Photographs or digital photographs of artisanal products or artwork to be sold from each participant of the stall. Each photo includes:
Name of product
Medium/techniques
Suggested Retail Prices”
Good luck to everyone who applies, I look forward to checking it all out. Enjoy!! <3
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