Submission Guidelines for All Member Exhibitions at The KAA
Here you will find a guide to walk you through the submission process for All Member Exhibitions at The Kittery Art Association. As a new member, this guide will help to prepare to participate in your first All Member Exhibit.
At the KAA, we hold Art Intake Sessions for Exhibiting Members to submit work to our All Member Exhibits. Art Intake takes place at our gallery at 2 Walker Street in Kittery, ME. Please refer to this page for important dates for exhibiting members at the KAA, including Art Intake Sessions, Pick Up Dates, and Opening Receptions for our 2024 All Member Exhibits:
2024 All Member Exhibitions / Art Intake Sessions
Artist Contracts & Artwork Tags:
We can only accept submissions with the current KAA artist contract (Version:01-2024). When you drop off your work for the exhibit, we recommend that you have your 2024 Artist Contract / Permission to Display and Sell Works and Artwork Tags prepared ahead of time. Both of these files are available here, and on our Artist Resources Page:
It is very important that your writing is printed clearly and legibly so that we can accurately log your work and print formal gallery labels.
Please make sure that the information on your contract is accurate and matches the information that is written on your artwork tags. Double check that your name is written as you would like it to appear on the gallery labels and that the title, medium and price of each piece is correct. No changes can be made to this information once your contract has been submitted.
When you drop off your work, make sure that your Artwork Tags are securely taped to the lower left corner of the back of your piece so that it hangs down and is visible beneath the front right corner. Make sure that you are not using tape that will damage your frame or artwork.
Please note: If you do not have a printer, we will have copies of both documents available to fill out at the gallery during Intake Day.
Framing and Hardware Guidelines:
Please make sure to familiarize yourself with our Framing & Hardware Guidelines For Exhibiting Artists. This guide is also available on the second page of your artist contract.
Framing Services:
All Kittery Art Association members receive a 20% discount on framing when they show their membership card at the following local framers:
David Pratt, Framer: 50 State Road, Kittery, ME 03904 / 207.439.1192 / david@dprattframer.com / www.dprattframer.com
C.C. Moore Fine Art Framing: Studio #111, The Button Factory, 855 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 / 603.427.6000 / www.ccmoore.biz
2024 Exhibiting Fees:
The 2024 Exhibit Fee is $10 per piece, or $20 for two pieces. Exhibit fees must be paid at the time that you submit your Artist Contract during Art Intake. We can accept this payment via cash, check, or credit card payment at the Gallery.
2024 Sales Agreement:
The Kittery Art Association receives 35% of the sale price for all artwork and items sold in our gallery and the gallery shop. The artist will receive 65% of all sales, and checks will be mailed within two weeks of the show closing date for the current exhibit.
Volunteering:
The Kittery Art Association is a member driven organization, and we rely on our volunteer members to do their part to staff the gallery so that we can remain open for the duration of the exhibit. One week prior to the opening, we will send out a link with the gallery sitting sign-up for the upcoming exhibit. If you have been trained in our gallery, please sign up for a gallery sitting slot. If you are new to our gallery and are interested in being trained, please email us at info@kitteryartassociation.org with your availability.
We also always need members to help us with our opening receptions and special events. Visit this page to learn more about other ways to get involved and do your part as a volunteer at The KAA!
FAQ for All Member Exhibits at the KAA:
What is an All Member Exhibit?
All Member Exhibits are our rotating shows, where every member of the Kittery Art Association is invited to submit works to exhibit. Our All Member Exhibits have themes - and often run for four weeks.
Are All Member Exhibits at the Kittery Art Association Juried?
No. Our All Member Exhibits are not juried. Exhibiting Members are responsible for choosing their own pieces to hang in each themed All Member Exhibit, however we ask that artists honor the theme of the current show. We welcome artists of all skill levels.
What types of work may not be submitted to shows at the Kittery Art Association?
The Kittery Art Association can not accept works that are not properly framed, or that are not in exhibiting condition. Unframed art (ex: canvases) must have a neat finished edge. Frames, canvases, glass, etc. must be in good, clean condition. Artwork of all mediums may be submitted. Any artwork with undertones of violence or hate will not be displayed at the KAA. We strive to make our gallery safe for all, and reserve the right to decline submissions that may be upsetting to viewers.
Are artists able to re-submit pieces that did not sell?
Artists may only re-submit works that they have previously displayed at one of the KAA’s All Member Exhibits once a calendar year has passed since its last display.
How many pieces of artwork may I submit for each All Member Exhibit?
All artists may submit up to two pieces of hanging art for each All Member Exhibition.
How do I submit my work for an All Member Exhibit?
To submit your work for an All Member Exhibit, bring your framed artwork to the KAA Gallery during one of our Art Intake Sessions.
When can I drop my work off for exhibition at the Kittery Art Association?
Artwork can only be accepted if it is dropped off during our formal Art Intake. Due to the quick turnaround of each show, the KAA is unable to make any exceptions or special accommodations. We cannot accept any artwork to hang once the intake session has ended.
When does Art Intake Occur?
Unless otherwise notified, Art Intake occurs from 2-6 pm on the Monday before an All Member Exhibit is set to open to the public.
What if I can’t make it to Art Intake?
If you have someone that you trust to drop your artwork off for you during intake, you may send it in with them. Please make arrangements ahead of time. Make sure that you complete your Artist Contract and labels prior to your work being dropped off, with your hanging fee and include all of your contact information in case a KAA Agent has any questions.
What is the Intake Process?
Once you arrive at the gallery there will be several tables with volunteers who are available to help you with the intake process. They will collect your hanging fee, help you go over the Artist Contract, make sure that you fill out labels to attach to your pieces, and ensure that the hardware on your frame is safe and secure.
To streamline this process, we recommend that artists print and fill out an artist contract and labels at home before coming into the gallery. We also recommend that artists double check that the information on their contract and labels match. If the information on an artists’ contract does not match the information on the artwork labels the Kittery Art Association defaults to the information given on the artist contract.
Am I allowed to make any changes to my contract after Intake?
Once your contract is signed and turned in at Intake, no changes can be made to the information on the contract i.e Title, Medium & Price.
What is the Exhibit Fee for each All Member Exhibit?
Effective January 1, 2024, The Exhibit Fee is $10.00 to submit a single piece and $20.00 to submit two pieces. This fee can be paid in cash, check, or by credit card. Your Exhibit Fee is due at the time that you drop your work off during Intake. No artwork will be accepted if the Exhibit Fee is not paid.
Are there any special framing requirements to display work at the KAA in All Member Exhibits?
Yes. We require all artwork to be framed and presentable. Make sure that your frame and the glass are clean and in good condition. We also require all hanging artwork to be wired with D- Rings and gallery wire that is the appropriate strength to secure your piece. Please reference our framing guide that is available on our Artist Resources Page.
Are there any exceptions to the framing requirements?
Occasionally, but very rarely. Our framing requirements are in place to maintain consistency and to keep everyone’s work safe and secure throughout the duration of our exhibits. The KAA is open to all types of artwork, and we understand that there are some mediums that will have different requirements for exhibition. Metal Prints with hangers attached may be submitted.
Any unframed canvases that are wired for hanging must have a finished edge in order to be accepted.
What is the sales agreement between artists and the KAA Gallery?
Artists receive 65% of the sale price for each piece of artwork or item sold in the gallery or the gallery shop. The Kittery Art Association takes a 35% commission of the final sale price. All items sold in the shop or in the gallery are subject to Maine State Sales Tax - 5.5%, which is computed and added while sales are being processed.
How and when are the themes decided for the upcoming show season?
Our Exhibits Chair works with the Exhibits Committee to develop show themes for the upcoming season. Suggestions? Please feel free to email us at info@kitteryartassociation.org.
If one of my pieces sells - may I bring in a piece to replace it?
No. You will have to wait until the next All Member Show to submit another piece.