YOUR JOB AS ART SHOW DIRECTOR When you take the position of art show director, you have become the advocate of the artists. It's your job to make the art show the #1 item of importance of the convention. Now, realistically, you won't do this, but you do have to fight for your space (don't allow your show to be shoved in a dark closet), your budget (a properly run show can make the convention money in the form of panel rentals & commissions - you've got to spend money to make money), and your people (an art show needs a core staff, as well as large numbers of assistants at certain times - don't let yourself be shortchanged). Your job is not through at the end of the convention, your job is not done till the last artist is paid, the last deadbeat bidder's cheque clears the bank, and the last piece of unsold artwork is returned to the artist.
Too many art shows are considered a very secondary part of a convention - nowhere near as important as the dealer's room, or the dances, or the workshops. While I of course disagree with this reasoning, let me give you this: an art show that is well run may get no notice at all; an art show that is poorly run (before, during, or after) will get a LOT of notice - all bad - and will hurt the convention badly. Work your best to make sure that people have nothing but good things to say about your art show.
WHY HAVE AN ART SHOW?
What can an art show contribute to your convention? It can increase your attendance, for one thing. The more people that come to a convention for whatever reason, the better it is for the con. And there are people who will decide to attend or not attend a show based on the art show. It can increase the prestige & standing of your convention. If your art show is well-received by the artists and bidders (we assume you'll be running a good show), it will make more people want to come back again next year. And, a successful show that comes in under budget can make a pretty penny for the convention. True, those pennies will go towards paying the show's expenses & space rental (you're not getting that large meeting room in the hotel for free, you know), but an art show has a much better chance of paying for itself than most other events in the con. And if you can somehow come up with a profit after all expenses (it happens, but not very often), then you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
WHAT YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO AS DIRECTOR
You'll need to bring several skills with you as an art show director. If you've not worked an art show before, apprentice with other art shows (or get lots of advice from those who run shows.) Take a good look at the way others run their shows, and learn all the good things they do, as well as the bad (and swear to never do this in your shows.)
First and foremost, you'll need good organizational skills. Keeping yourself (and those around you) organized is essential. You'll need to recruit a dedicated staff (and volunteers at the show), and train them in the procedures you want to use. You might have someone who's "always done it this way" at another show they've worked - listen to them, and if it's better than what you planned, use it. If it's not better, be sure not to let yourself get railroaded. At time you will have to be a master sergeant to keep people on your track. You'll also have to keep an eye on the details - this is very important.
You will have to be able to read and understand floor plans & blueprints so you can arrange your panels in the room given. You'll have to be able to think spatially so that you can get the best arrangement of panels in that room.
You will need to be a diplomat. Artists can occasionally be touchy (both mail-in & attending), staff and volunteers can be contrary (and you do not want to upset these people), and committees can micro-manage. You'll need to distract or ignore people that get in your way, and keep them happy while doing it.
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