Spring Show Prospectus

Eligibility

The Spring Show is open to any and all artists living, working or studying within 250 miles of the City of Erie, Pennsylvania, including Canada.

Prizes

A total of $15,000 in cash prizes and sales is expected. Cash awards totaling $2,500, including the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association (NPAA) Award, and $12,000 in anticipated sales. Cash prizes will be determined by the juror and divided evenly. A standard 40% commission will be charged on all sales.

Submission & Fees

Deadline for submission

The deadline for online registration (via JotForm) is January 19th, 2024, at 11:59 pm.

Fees

Each artist may submit up to three works. Museum members pay $20 for the first submission and $10 for any additional entries; non-members pay $30 for the first submission and $20 for any additional entries. Submission fees are non-refundable.

All Media Welcome

The Spring Show is open to all media, including but not limited to: painting, photography, graphics, sculpture, and fiber. Due to space limitations, however, we ask that your submissions not exceed 72 inches in any dimension or weigh more than 100 pounds. Artists proposing to submit work requiring special installation should confer with Museum staff (james.pearson@erieartmuseum.org) prior to the entry deadline. Artwork submitted should have been created in the last 3 years. Please do not submit artwork that has already exhibited in the Erie Art Museum at any time prior to the 2024 Spring Show.

Framing

All 2D works, such as prints, drawings, and photographs, must be framed or hang-ready in a secure manner.

Artist Statement and Artwork Descriptions

Artists are to submit artist statements that are no more than 150 words in length. Your artist statement will be anonymously presented to the juror and, if selected, will be displayed in the exhibit next to your artwork(s).

In addition to submitting an artist statement, artists may provide (optional) descriptive language for each artwork submitted, in 70 words or less, that answers the following questions:

  • Why did you make this piece?

  • What would you like people to know about your process and this work?

Your artwork description(s) will be anonymously presented to the juror and, if selected, will be displayed in the exhibit next to your artwork(s).

Artist statement (required) and artwork description(s) (optional) will be displayed with your object. Please be thoughtful and precise while writing your statement and descriptions. The Museum reserves the right to adjust your statement for clarity, punctuation, and grammar. It is advisable to write your artist statement(s) prior to starting the registration form so it is ready to include.

Work Availability, Liability, and Photography

Please note that entries, if accepted into the show, must be available from March 15th through August 9th, 2024. No accepted work may be withdrawn before the close of the show.

Even though we will take great care of your work(s), please know that all entries are exhibited at the artist’s own risk.

The Museum also reserves the right to photographically reproduce any submitted works for publicity or educational purposes. This includes, but is not limited to: using your artwork (with credit) for social media posts, printed handouts, posters, or promotional videos.

Spring Show Submission of Images

2024 Spring Show submission is all electronic. Follow the instructions below to register and submit.

Step 1: Using a digital camera or phone, take a high-resolution picture of your work. (It is your choice, but there is no need to get a professional photographer. The resolution on most phones is extremely high quality.) We are allowing up to 3 images of 3D artwork per entry.

Step 2: Name the image files using just the title of the work. For example, if you created a piece of artwork that you titled “Spring Flowers,” the image file name should be springflowers.jpg. Because the juror selects works anonymously, please do not include your first or last name in any of the image titles.

Step 3: Upload the image file while completing the registration form. Acceptable file formats include jpg, jpeg, png, or gif file types and must not exceed 5.0 MB total.

Registration and Payment

Payment is accepted at the end of your registration through JotForm. Major credit cards and Paypal are accepted. For any major technical issues with registration and payment, please contact the Museum.

Submission Help

Museum staff will be available to help photograph works, submit submissions online, and walk participants through the payment process at a drop-in workshop on Saturday, January 6th from 10am - 1 pm. This is a free workshop for all and will be first come first serve. More information can be found at www.erieartmuseum.org/spring-show-workshop.

Notification of Acceptance/Omittance

Notification of acceptance/omittance will be emailed to each artist by February 9th, 2024. Be sure to add @erieartmuseum.org to your contact lists to ensure the email doesn’t get sorted into your junk mail or spam folders.

If your piece(s) are accepted into the show, you will either drop them off during the specified drop-off dates (below) or mail them to the Museum. Please note the drop-off dates in your calendar to ensure your availability in the event that your work(s) are accepted.

Accepted Works

If your artwork is accepted into the show, it must arrive at Erie Art Museum on Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th, 2024. The Museum will not accept drop offs outside of these dates. If you need to inquire about special arrangements, please contact jamie@erieartmuseum.org.

Your work will remain at the Museum through the closing of the show on August 9th. No works will be removed from the show between these dates.

Shipping selected works to EAM

If you have been notified that your artwork(s) was selected to be in the 101st Annual Nicole & Harry Martin Spring Show, but you are unable to drop off your artwork(s) on Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th, 2024, you may ship your artwork to us. Please ensure that your artwork arrives at the Museum no later than February 23rd.

Artwork that is shipped to the Museum will be returned to the artist via shipping. If submissions are mailed to the Museum, they must be prepaid, and include return postage. You will be charged a $15 handling fee for each work shipped. The Erie Art Museum is not responsible for any damage occurring during shipment.

Ship accepted works to:

Attention: Spring Show
Erie Art Museum
20 East 5th Street, Erie, PA 16507.

Drop-off Dates & Location

Only accepted works will be dropped off at the Museum. Please mark your calendars for these dates to ensure your availability in the event that your work(s) are accepted into the show.

Drop-off dates and times for accepted works are Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th, 2024. Once Museum staff is made aware of which artworks are selected for the Spring Show, artists will be emailed information of how to drop off selected works. Please keep an eye out for this email.

Opening

The Spring Show will be open to the public on March 15th. Standard entry fees for non-members and free for members.

Closing

Accepted works need to be collected on the scheduled pick-up dates of August 10th and 11th. All works are required to be picked up within 7 days of the show’s closing. The Museum is not responsible for work(s) not picked up by August 11th. If you do not make arrangements with us and your work is not collected by August 11th. you will be charged a one-time holding fee of $25 when you pick it up.

This prospectus is subject to change. Notification of any changes will be sent via email from the Erie Art Museum.

Are you a Museum member?

First-time Memberships start at $25 and include benefits such as free admission to the Museum, invitation to members-only events, our Quarterly magazine, and more. Members entering three works save $30 on entry fees.