👹 Predatory practices in the art world :: submission fees 👹

We can do better, as galleries and supporters of artists.

👹👹👹 I wrote this piece for Instagram a few years ago, when I first re-launched my agency, and I’m posting it here again, with some updates — as I will always use this platform to share my truth, and my perspective. Obviously we all know that the formal “art world” has many issues, and one that I’ve have been bumping into for years is SUBMISSION FEES 👹👹👹

Perhaps I’ll get some blow back from this but, to the galleries, artist residencies and other venues collecting fees for artists to participate in your project - I ask you - are you kidding??

Residencies, Galleries and publications that are taking $30 to submit AT LEAST (or sometimes more, and hardly ever less) from EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT SUBMITS, knowing FULL WELL that they will not NOT HAVE SPACE for probably more than half of the people that are submitting… That is PREDATORY BEHAVIOR.

And so, I ask of these places…Why not have a cap on submissions? Or, for fucks sake why are you making folks pay to submit in the first place?

If you ALREADY KNOW you’ll have entirely too many people to fit in your publication, residency or gallery why are you NOT CLOSING the submission process when it seems “full”?

I know why, and it’s about a whole lot of dollars.

Why are you continuing to collect entries AND MONEY from folks who YOU KNOW are trying hard to make it… especially financially?

I say that behavior is one of a predator.

Let’s imagine every single gallery was doing this? That would be grotesquely inappropriate in my view.

Let’s do the math on submissions for perspective….

10 x 30 = $300

100 x 30 = $3,000

500 x 30 = $15,000 !!!!!

… And, some have the NERVE to ask for MORE than $30 to take part 👹👹👹

With all due respect…. Who’s really benefiting off the backs of artists here? On top of this, do they still have incentive to work hard to sell your art, once their pockets are already lined with the collected fees? I say, nah.

Artists who are up and coming are trying to get seen and have a legit exhibition or residency they can use on their resume… So, the art world is here to take advantage of them?

Also, to be honest….many times these places (I am NOT saying all, but many) have no incentive to really go off and promote your work.

And why….? Well Darling, just look at the math above.

So, as a curator of over 2 decades, I pled you, please be EXTREMELY CAREFUL when submitting to paid calls for art or projects that you need to pay to be seen.

FEEL FREE TO ASK THE PEOPLE REQUESTING A FEE FOR REFERENCES. Remember, you are also empowered.

I’ll leave you with this…

MOST👏LEGIT 👏GALLERIES 👏DO👏NOT👏ASK👏FOR👏SUBMISSION👏FEES👏

Do you have other questions about the art world? Queries?

Let’s talk. I am open to consultations.

xo,

— Kellie Peach (aka - #AgentPeach - Defender of artists)