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CALL FOR ARTISTS: PEARL MARKET MERCHANTS
SUMMER 2014
Join VSA Ohio during our second summer at the Pearl Alley Farmers Market! The VSAO @ Pearl Market Merchant opportunity is an effort to provide artists with disabilities the opportunity to sell their art, become a self-advocate, and learn more about being a professional artist. Selling your art at community markets and festivals is a great way to connect with new patrons. However, the requirements for application, initial fees, and physical logistics can be cumbersome. To make this type of opportunity more accessible, VSA Ohio has secured a booth at the seasonal Pearl Alley Farmers Market in downtown Columbus. Artists and Groups from across Ohio may apply to be a Market Merchant at this booth for NO FEE.
About Pearl Market
The Pearl Market offers a unique urban setting to introduce your merchandise to appreciative audiences. The market is situated in downtown Columbus, in the alleys between Broad, High, Gay, and Third Streets. According to surveys and research, Pearl Market reaches a huge and diverse audience of lunchtime shoppers from the surrounding business, residences, and hotels. Pearl Market maintains a varied and appealing farmer and merchant mix, setting the stage for a profitable season for vendors and an exciting shopping experience for customers.
VSA Ohio @ Pearl Market Booth Dates in 2014
May 23 May 30 June 6 June 13
June 20 June 27 July 11 July 18
July 25 August 1 August 8 August 15
August 22 August 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12
Sept. 19 Sept. 26
Applications accepted on a rolling basis beginning April 1st, 2014.
Support for VSAO @ Pearl Market & other professional development opportunities for artists with disabilities is provided by
PURCHASING TRENDS
Keep in mind what the shoppers at the Pearl Alley Market tend to purchase. Pearl Market is a lunch time crowd who are primarily office workers and Columbus tourists. Common purchases by this type of buyer are smaller items that are available at accessible (lower) price points. 99% of shoppers walk to this market from their place of employment. Think about this as you decide what items to sell. People will not be likely to walk through the market on their lunch break and purchase a $200 painting that is two feet wide. However, a small framed photograph or print, set of notecards, buttons, jewelry, or small ceramics with reasonable price points are easy to carry and put in a purse or shopping bag. You must list the items you intend to sell on the application form.
FAQs
ü The Pearl Market Booth will include a 10’ pop up tent, 6’ table, and two chairs; these items will already be set up upon your arrival.
ü Pearl Market hours are 10:30am until 2:00pm. Artists must arrive no later than 10:00am for set up and are responsible for staying at the booth until the Market closes.
ü WiFi and power outlets are NOT available.
ü Pearl Market operates rain or shine. VSAO will contact Artist if the weather necessitates.
ü Artists may request access accommodations but must do so upon Application; late requests for access accommodations cannot be guaranteed.
ü VSA Ohio staff will meet each artist at the beginning and end of each shift.
ü Artists and Studios across Ohio are eligible to apply.
ü Independent artists may also apply with another artist if they wish to work at the booth together during a shift. Only one application should be submitted by the partnership.
ü Application does not guarantee acceptance and date preference rankings do not guarantee availability for those dates.
ü Applications will be reviewed and approved by VSAO staff on a first come, first serve basis.
ü VSA Ohio @ Pearl Alley is supported through funding from the Ohio Arts Council.
PURCHASES:
Sales of artwork and non-food merchandise are taxable at 6.75% in Franklin County. Please incorporate this tax into your pricing. As the official Pearl Market Merchant, VSA Ohio must collect all sales income/receipts, deduct/pay sales tax, and then reimburse artists for the final sales amount. Payments will be sent to artists within seven business days of their day as a Merchant. To handle purchase transactions, you will be able to accept cash or checks made out to VSA Ohio. Pearl Market also utilizes a credit card token system so that if shoppers want to pay with a credit card, they can buy tokens (in $5 increments) from the Pearl Market table and can then use those as payment to you in exchange for your product. VSA Ohio will provide a cash box for collecting payments and a sales sheet for records- you are required to record and report daily sales.
How to Apply
Fill out the attached application form, noting up to three Fridays which you/your group would like to reserve. Send the Application Form to VSA Ohio with an Artist Resume or description of your Studio. VSA Ohio will review applications in the order they are received and make notifications within fourteen (14) business days.
APPLICATION FORM, page 1
NAME:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
ADDRESS:
MEDIA:
DISABILITY (for eligibility purposes only):
ACCESS REQUESTS:
ð Reimbursement for sales is payable to the Name/Address listed above
ð Reimbursement for sales is payable to another entity,
List here:
The following FRIDAY Market Dates are available. Mark your top 3 choices in the corresponding boxes with a 1, 2, and 3.
MAY / 23 / 30JUNE / 6 / 13 / 20 / 27
JULY / 11 / 18 / 25
AUGUST / 1 / 8 / 15 / 22 / 29
SEPTEMBER / 5 / 12 / 19 / 26
What will you sell? Describe your products and pricing range.
APPLICATION FORM, page 2
How will participation as a Pearl Market Merchant advance your creative career?
VSAO @ PEARL MARKET MERCHANT CONDITIONS:
ü I will arrive at the VSA Ohio Pearl Market no later than 10:00am on my assigned day to set up with assistance from a VSA Ohio representative and I will remain at the table until 2:00pm, when a representative will meet me for teardown.
ü I understand that a tent, table, 2 chairs, and VSAO marketing materials will be provided for display.
ü I will utilize this booth space to sell my artwork, inform the public of my work and practice, and will conduct myself as a representative of VSA Ohio.
ü I will not use this booth to sell any items other than those approved, nor will I disseminate information pertaining to religious and political affiliations or other causes unrelated to my artistic work and/or the VSA Ohio mission.
ü I will obey all laws. Smoking, lighting of candles/incense or other product is not allowed.
ü I understand Lynn & Pearl Alleys are public streets. The Artist takes all risk of loss or damage to merchandise. VSA Ohio will not provide insurance. If your property is lost, stolen or damaged, you will not look to VSA Ohio or the Pearl Market Alley Organizers for payment or reimbursement.
ü I understand payments for products will be collected by VSA Ohio, who will pay related taxes, and then reimburse me for final sales amounts within 7 business days of my Merchant date.
ü I will complete the daily sales record sheet located inside the cash box and return it to a VSA Ohio representative who will meet me for teardown at the end of the market’s shift.
I have read and agree to the above conditions regarding my participation as an arts vendor at the VSA Ohio @ Pearl Market booth. Any participant not abiding by the above conditions will be asked to leave the merchant booth and not be allowed to return as a merchant.
Signature
Artist Name Date
VSA Ohio will review applications upon receipt and follow up within 14 business days.
Applications & Questions Support for this program comes from
Morgan Green, Outreach Coordinator, VSA Ohio
614.241.5325,
77 S. High Street, 2nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215