Regulations & Policies
The 57th Street Art Fair showcases artist's original work designed, handmade, created and produced by juried artists.
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Artwork must be first and foremost an artistic expression. Utilitarian purposes must be secondary.
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We realize that certain artistic processes physically require more that two people to produce. Foundry work and bronze sculpture for example. Artists may utilize assistants to frame and matt artwork. Using assistants to create a portion of a piece of art to be exhibited and sold at the 57th Street Art Fair is not allowed. Examples of such is having a piece of jewelery assembled using the specs of the exhibit artist or having another glaze/decorate/fire a piece of ceramics for the exhibiting artist. Work assembled from commercially produced units is not permitted.
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Proof of originality and authenticity of work is required. An artist’s statement of processes must be prominently displayed in each booth to assure that all work is original and the creation of the artist, to further public education, and to inform the jury and Fair leadership. The artist’s statement must include information about materials and techniques used in the creation and production of the art.
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Exhibitors must be at least 18 years old.
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If artists apply and are accepted as a team they may only exhibit the collaborative work they were accepted for. No more than two artists may collaborate on work. Both must be included on and sign the application. Both must be present at the Arts Festival. If two artists have collaborated in the joint creation and production of the art exhibited, they may together show their work in the booth and will be listed jointly in the Fair program. On the application, do not list individuals (spouses, business partners, etc.) who are not co-artists with the primary applicant.
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Artists must be present with their work for the entire Fair. Representatives may not attend in place of the artist. The 57th Street Art Fair requires photo identification at check-in to ensure compliance.
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Artists may exhibit only in the category in which they were juried and may not display work in new categories without re-jurying.
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Work must be consistent with submitted images.
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Exhibition in previous Fairs does not guarantee acceptance, nor are previous booth placements guaranteed.
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Exhibiting Artists must comply with all safety requirements, and local and state laws.
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The 57th Street Art Fair reserves the right to refuse to exhibit of work not consistent with the quality and cohesiveness of submitted images and these guidelines.
Reproduction Policy
All artwork displayed at the 57th Street Art Fair must be original and produced entirely by the hands of the exhibiting artist(s). While other fairs may allow reproductions, we do not.
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In response to requests to change our long standing policy on reproductions, we asked our artists for feedback on the question of allowing reproductions, and while some artists would like us to change our policy to allow limited exhibition of reproductions, the majority of responses asked us to please maintain our current policy, stated above.
We do, however, permit you to bring and sell a small number of note cards with images of the work you are exhibiting in your booth during the Art Fair, as long as they are not prominently displayed and do not draw attention away from the work in your booth.
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What do we consider a reproduction? Any method of making multiple copies of original art using photo, mechanical, digital or casting technology is considered by the 57th St. Art Fair to be a reproduction. Reproduction technology have one or more of the following characteristics:
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The work is not the product of the artist’s own hand.
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The number of reproducible copies is technically limitless.
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All copies are identical.
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The copies are produced by commercial entities, and the artist is not involved in the process.
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Methods of creating multi-copy art in limited runs, such as intaglio, lithography, relief painting and other traditional printmaking means, are not considered reproductions. These limited run reproductions must be signed and numbered and on archival material. (see: http://www.57thstreetartfair.org/media-categories)
Regarding photography and digital art, the Art Fair recognizes that artwork created utilizing photographs and/or computer technology are inherently reproducible. We also recognize that the use of cropping, enlargement and darkroom and digital processes can produce different effects even from the same negative/image. All of this is allowed at the 57th Street Art Fair. We require that participating fine art photographers show only work that they have signed, numbered and produced in limited editions on archival material. Such work is not considered to be reproductions. (see: http://www.57thstreetartfair.org/media-categories)
To prevent the sale of mass produced work at the 57th Street Art Fair, the Fair reserves the right to halt sales of such work on-site, and/or to not invite artists who are believed to be selling reproductions to future Fairs.
Before applying to exhibit at the 57th Street Art Fair, please read the descriptions for each media category at http://www.57thstreetartfair.org/media-categories.
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Rule Violation Policy
To insure fairness for every artist, the rules contained in this application will be strictly enforced. Artists not complying with the 57th Street Art Fair policies will be asked to leave the art fair, without refund. The 57th Street Art Fair reserves the right to advise artists of any work that does not meet our standards and may take any action deemed necessary for compliance. The 57th Street Art Fair reserves the right to not invite violators to future fairs.
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Refund and Cancellation Policy
The Application fee is non-refundable. Booth Fees will be refunded in full until April 30, 2024. After that, there is no refund of Booth Fees.
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Wait List Information and Policy
Artists will be assigned wait list numbers by category. The 57th Street Art Fair will begin taking artists from the wait list beginning in March and through the first day of the fair as spaces open in their categories. We cannot predict when or if a space in a category will become available.
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When a wait list space becomes available, we will call and leave a message, in addition to sending an email. You have 24 hours to respond whether you'd like to take the space or not.
Artists on the wait list may also come to the fair on set up day and wait for a "no show" space to become available. Typically there are several spaces, that for various reasons open up on the fair weekend and we will fill them with wait list artist who are present. There are no guarantees, however.