Just a little word on the very few negative replies to this call for entries:
First, we ask for a production fee to help us pay for the costs to produce the books. We know there is a need and desire for artists to be published, so we are trying to create another format to do so. Because we are sending these books, free of cost to the recipients (which by the way consists of a very impressive list of 2000 curators and galleries), there is no paid circulation. Further, there is no advertising in Studio Visit. So, the only way to pay for labor, production costs, and shipping is to ask for those artists participating to contribute. Otherwise, there will be no book, and those that wish to have their work published and seen by thousands of art world professionals will not exist.
We think that $225 is a very reasonable fee for this type of marketing. For example, if you as an artist were to print and mail 2,000 postcards on your own, the cost would be much greater. Further, you would have to obtain a mailing list as extensive as ours, and most likely, your card would probably be ignored if sent cold. So, if you are trying to market your work to these individuals and institutions, you might find this cost to be well worth it.
Our first volume's competition received nearly 1,000 entries, so we know there are people interested in this opportunity. We accepted only 250 artists, and all of them are very excited to be a part of the publications. I understand that those that speak negatively about it, simply do not find this to be a worthwhile endeavor, and that's ok. You may have other ways to market yourself as an artist that is more productive for you. However, plenty of artists feel that this is an excellent opportunity to be published and seen by those that count in this competitive art world. So, if you would please, keep your negative comments to yourself, because even though you have your reasons, your opinion may come across as bitter and naive.
Thanks,
Drew
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