Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best vs. Show Reviews
Sunshine Artist offers two valuable resources to help artists and promoters understand the best art shows in the country: Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best and Show Reviews. While both provide insights into show performance, they serve different purposes and are based on separate criteria.
Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best
What is it?
The 200 Best is an annual ranking of the most profitable art shows as reported by artists. Artists and craftspeople vote for up to 10 shows they attended in the previous year where they earned the highest gross sales.
How does it work?
- Voting opens in early February and ends on April 30 of each year.
- Artists rank the shows based solely on their gross sales from the event.
- Each show earns points depending on reported sales:
- Less than $2,000: 1 point
- $2,000–$5,000: 2 points
- $5,000–$10,000: 3 points
- Over $10,000: 4 points
- The final ranking is determined by both the total points and the number of artist votes.
Why is this important?
The 200 Best list serves as a guide for artists looking for the most profitable shows, helping them make informed decisions about where to exhibit.
How can promoters encourage artists to vote?
Promoters and show organizers can remind participating artists to vote by sharing this link: www.sunshineartist.com/200bestballot
Show Reviews
What is it?
Show reviews provide detailed feedback from artists about their experience at an event. Unlike the 200 Best ranking, show reviews are based on multiple factors beyond sales.
How does it work?
- Artists complete FastAudit forms, available in both paper and online formats.
- Reviews include anonymous artist feedback on:
- Sales performance (total sales and average sale price)
- Show quality (balance of mediums, prestige, and overall experience)
- Event logistics (load-in/out, parking, layout, advertising, management, artist amenities, attendance, judging, and awards)
- Future participation (artists indicate if they would return and can provide additional comments)
Why is this important?
These reviews help artists assess events based on overall experience, not just sales. They also provide valuable feedback for promoters to improve their events.
How can promoters encourage reviews?
1. Request paper FastAudit forms: sunshineartist.com/fastaudit-request-form
2. Share the online review link with participating artists: sunshineartist.com/audits/new
Key Takeaway
While 200 Best is a ranking based purely on artist-reported sales, Show Reviews provide a broader perspective, including event logistics and overall artist satisfaction. Both tools help artists and promoters navigate the art show industry more effectively.