Application Requirements for Artists in our Midst

Please note: Our application process has now been fully automated to allow you to apply, submit images, and pay on-line (rather than mailing it in). Due to the slight delay in having the system installed, the application deadline has been extended to October 15.

Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions or concerns.

Deadline for Application is October 15th, 2009

Background

As a collective of independent artists, AIOM has been hosting annual open-studio tours and exhibitions on Vancouver’s west side since 1993 to promote the work of local artists. This is a very popular, well attended community event, and a special occasion to meet and engage with neighbours as well as an opportunity to show, talk about, and sell your art work.

Artists in Our Midst funds its operations primarily through membership fees and having members contribute a modest amount of volunteer work over a period of twelve months. Through involvement in committee work, members participate in the group and the development of its events. By pooling its financial and human resources, the collective is able to host exhibitions and weekend studio tours, finance publicity, publish an exhibition catalogue, and host a web site. To further strengthen its infrastructure and build capacity, AIOM has recently become incorporated as a not-for-profit society.

Artist in our Midst was started in 1993 replicating an event that takes place in the Bastille district of Paris, where artists open their studios to the public.

Eligibility

Over the years this exciting event has grown to include over 70 artists and is open to artists who are able to show their works within boundaries defined for this year’s event. We welcome applications from practicing artists who have studios, or can obtain a place to show in within the following geographical boundaries. West of Burrard to Pacific Spirit Park and South of Vancouver’s beaches to 49th Avenue.

For those not currently eligible, we are compiling a list of west side artists interested in joining who live outside the boundaries. If we have several requests from artists clustered in one specific area, we will assess the feasibility of expanding. If you are interested, please e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and leave your contact information.

Membership Fees

This year we have expanded to provide two levels of participation for members. A membership with a Spring Event package for those interested in participating in our studio tours, exhibitions, and promotional amenities; and a membership with no event package for those who may not be available to join our events but would like to stay connected and benefit from being featured as artists on the website and catalogue of new works. The membership fee is tax deductible as a professional expenditure.

As a society of volunteers, we operate without paid staff. Our success depends on the combined efforts and talents of the membership. As a requirement of membership, each artist is expected to contribute voluntary hours to the organization during the months of event preparation. As an estimate, members participating in the Spring Event Package contribute an average of 3 hours per month. The actual time required, will however, be dependent on the total number of members and the tasks we set for ourselves. These hours can end up being completed over several months or sometimes a team responsibility is concentrated in one very busy week! It is expected that every member will find his or her niche to make a contribution to the success of our organization. We welcome inquiries and are actively seeking new artists to join our dynamic organization.

Artists who opt for the Basic Membership Package are also expected to contribute voluntary hours but of course, at a minimum level.

Please consider which of the volunteer packages in the application form best suits your needs and availability.

Membership and Spring Event Package

$140 plus volunteer hours

This package would include:

• Participation in the Spring Events
• Display artwork at Opening Night Exhibition at the Roundhouse in Yaletown, Apr 29, 2010
• Option to display at Byng School Arts Event, Apr 22, 2010
• Open-studio weekend May 1 & 2, 2010
• Display artwork in participating merchant venues
• Year long promotion through an artist page on the AIOM website
• Artwork and biographies displayed in the 2010 Exhibition Catalogue
• Orientation session, social functions, and other opportunities to connect with the AIOM artist community
• Voting rights and the opportunity to be elected to the Board of Directors

Membership Package

$65 plus volunteer hours

This package would include:

• Year long promotion through an artist page on the AIOM website
• Artwork and biographies displayed in the 2010 Catalogue
• Social functions and opportunities to connect with AIOM artist community
• Voting rights and the opportunity to be elected to the Board of Directors

Application Due Date & Process

• Applications are due on or before October 1st.
• Please note the artwork submitted is subject to a jury process and applicants will be notified by the end of October as to whether they have been accepted as for membership.
• Submit the following application along with an artist statement/biography. See below for an artist statement example.
• Five images of new work must be submitted onine along with a description of each piece that states the media used, size in inches, date of work, and name of the work.
  
  • The electronic files should be named in the following format:
    • [image1]-[last name,first initial].[jpg], [image2]-[last name,first initial].[jpg] ...[image5]-[last name,first initial].[jpg]
    • For example, if your name is John Doe, your electronic files should be named as follows: image1-doej.jpg, image2-doej.jpg, image3-doej.jpg, image4-doej.jpg, image5-doej.jpg
    • image one, two, three, etc and each description should be given an image number.
  • The JPG images must be a size appropriate for publication purposes.
    
    • For example, if the artwork is photographed using a 6 megapixel camera, or the image is about 2826 pixels by 2112 pixels, the quality should be fine.
    • Please do not crop or make JPEGs smaller than this.