The Benefits of a Patron Program Promoters Explain How They Work
Some artists who have participated in shows with patron programs found they improved their sales, but not everyone factors in such programs when deciding which shows to apply to.
“Ranking/rating of shows typically offers a better viewpoint of all factors from artists and patrons alike,” said Kate Meyer, an oil painting artist. While a patron program is a plus, Meyer said it is not something she looks at.
Glass artist Pat Falk has received sales at shows from patron programs but believes most of those sales would have occurred even without the programs. “I do think it ensures that people who invest in patron’s programs will come to the art fair,” she said. “Overall, I think patron programs benefit more artists more than awards do, as those patrons are likely to purchase art. But it is not a determining factor when I apply to most shows.”
Jewelry artist Peggy Miller has also participated in shows with patron programs and found they improved her sales. “It’s a guarantee of monies to be spent at a show,” she said.
Miller does consider these programs when making decisions about where to apply. “The clients are supporting the arts, and they are very excited in doing so,” she said.
Kim Evans has not noticed an increase in sales resulting from a show having a patron program. “I usually do not know there is a patron program until I get my artist package when I load-in the weekend of the show,” she said.
Wood artist Scott Gordon had one small sale related to a show with a patron program. “A free patron’s program has really not helped sales for me. Therefore, overall ratings are more significant,” he said.
Steven Levine is also a wood artist. He said some shows with charitable affiliations have a preview night before the show opens — usually cocktail parties with the craft booths as “entertainment” for the paying patrons. “Although I may make a few sales during those previews, the bulk of my business comes during the following days,” Levine said.
He participated in March’s Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in Winter Park, Florida. “The patrons at the Winter Park show were amazing in the way they fully supported the artists with their money and their time,” Levine said.
Digital artist Dacota Maphis has experienced patron programs at several shows and said, “It seemed that it might just affect the lower-end sales. I have a higher price tag.” She said if a show is slow, artists talk about how they wish the patron dollars would be used to benefit all the artists in the show. “I’m a bit indifferent,” Maphis said.
A Way to Attract Artists
Photo courtesy of Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt Photography
When IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts takes place in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, next January, it will be celebrating 20 years of its Patron’s Program being in place.
IMAGES coordinator Cayla Bartolucci-Kaualoku explained why IMAGES decided to start the program and how it went about doing it. “The program began when Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) joined forces with IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts in 2004,” she said. “Executive members of both prestigious organizations agreed to merge and develop a Patron’s Program to demonstrate community support for the festival, thereby enhancing its reputation and increasing its prestige.”
Festival organizers with patron programs believe having such a program helps attract exceptional artists. Bartolucci-Kaualoku said IMAGES’ program is recognized as one of the best in the Southeast. “More than 500 members spend over $200,000 each year on arts purchases during the festival, which is one of the reasons why so many high-caliber artists want to exhibit at the festival,” she said.
Every year, the artists who participate in IMAGES provide insight into their festival experience through artist surveys, and the Patron’s Program is always praised and appreciated, Bartolucci-Kaualoku said. “The festival also uses the surveys to help guide and develop the Patron’s Program to better suit the needs of the artists,” she said.
Desiree Blackwell is the director of the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, which sponsors the Orange Beach Festival of Art in Orange Beach, Alabama. Its program has been in place for seven years.
“We think by simply offering the program, it lends credence to how serious we are about this being a quality show,” Blackwell said. “We have worked hard to focus on the artists and their experience with us. Without them, we have nothing.”
Artists are assured of the community’s commitment and of the show’s leadership, she said. “It simply adds value and heart to the event,” Blackwell said.
She said an artist on the festival’s planning committee suggested they start such a program. “We wanted to support the artists in more ways, as well as gain community involvement,” Blackwell said. “We reviewed multiple other programs from high-end shows and put together what would work for our show.”