How to Set Up an Art Festival Booth

Both amateur and professional artists should think about entering the convention circuit. Setting up a booth at conventions or art festivals takes a fair amount of work and preparation. You'll need to send in an application first to reserve a booth. Eventually you'll reach that great point where you can actually support yourself with your art.

Things You'll Need

• Artwork
• Mobile booth

Instructions

1. Research art festivals, fairs and conventions. Some festivals need reservations months in advance so keep this in mind. You'll also need to book airfare and accommodations. Find those festivals that are well-traveled with people who are willing to spend money. Festival reviews can tell you something about how successful vendors have been in the past.

2. Choose the festival size: small, medium or large. At large festivals, there will be more people, but it can also be more impersonal. At smaller shows, customers might stick around and talk for longer. Check the attendance level for each show as well as the number of booths.

3. Choose art fairs with a similar artistic style. You don't want to set up a booth that will be completely ignored. You want to stand out, but not so much that your booth seems out of place.

4. As part of the festival application process, choose your booth location if possible. This is not always possible -- sometimes it's the luck of the draw, or first come, first serve. Each festival or fair will have different policies. There will also be different requirements for booth size.

5. Advertise ahead of time. Be sure to keep a mailing list sign-up at your booth so you can contact people when the next festival comes around. Also have catalogs and business cards on hand.

6. Bring a full inventory. Be well-stocked so you'll never sell out entirely. Price every item ahead of time.

7. Set up shop. You'll need to bring chairs, awning and a display table. Some festivals may provide a booth for you. Be sure to keep the booth orderly. Put the best and largest artwork out front so it can be seen from a distance. Also be orderly about itemizing sales.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep different types of artwork on hand. If someone isn't interested in what you have up-front, you can show something in a different style or medium.

• Be personable. You want to sell as much as possible, but stay away from being too pushy. The same goes for your relationship with other artists. There can be stiff competition, but you don't want to get a bad reputation.

• Bring extra price tags in case you want to change the price on any item mid-festival.

• Determine if liability insurance is necessary. Festivals don't want to be liable if artwork is damaged. This can be an extra cost.

• Beware of festivals that charge hefty application fees.

References

• Borsheim Arts Studio: How to Market and Sell Art