Somerset Art Weeks: Exhibitions & Events is a new event celebrate the visual arts talents in Somerset. The first brand new Art Weeks event took place between 19th September to 4th October in 2009. It featured a total of 98 venues in which more than 450 artists participated. The event successfully attracted more than 50,000 visitors  - on average a 150% increase in visitors for each venue . The average sales made per venue was over £2,500. 

Planning your Art Weeks 2011 Exhibitions & Events?
Let us know your idea now!

The next Somerset Art Weeks: Exhibitions & Events will take place from 17 September to 2 October in 2011.  It will be suitable for exhibitions and projects where more than 3 artists take part. SAW is planning for the next Art Weeks event, the initial criteria and registration process below.  We would like to hear from you if:

- You are planning to take part
- You wish to discuss your project and exhibition in advance to make sure it is suitable for the event.
- You wish to discuss your project idea with us and wish to identify support you may need, including partnerships, artists and venues.
- You are interested in accessing our Curatorial Services. The service provides tailor-made support throughout all stages of your project
- You wish to deliver and/or organise any project and exhibition in partnership with us
- You wish to receive advice on organising your own project and exhibition

To express your interest, please send email to Zoe Li, Art Weeks Coordinator artweeks@somersetartworks.org.uk or contact SAW office on 01458 253 800.

Q1: What is Somerset Art Weeks 2011: Exhibitions and Events?

Somerset Art Weeks: Exhibition & Event is a new format of countywide festival promoting the achievement of Visual Arts creation in Somerset. It features group exhibitions, projects and visual arts activities in different locations and settings. It will be a celebration of the creative abilities of artists as well as provide opportunities to organisations and individuals who eager to expand their horizons and think "outside the box".

Art Weeks 2011 takes place from (Sat) 17th Sept to (Sun) 2nd Oct, 2011. Core Opening Hours 11am-6pm.

Q2: Who can take part?

These are some examples of who might be interested in taking part in Art Weeks 2011.

1. Galleries and organisations who organise group exhibitions, or participatory events.
2. Artists and makers who work in a group environment, including art groups and art associations. Independent groups who could not take part in Open Studios Event, simply because they number more than 3 artists in their group,
3. Individual artists/makers who wish to open their studios as an exhibition venue with support from 3 or more other artists.
4. Individual artists, makers, curators and groups who work on a project, installation or participatory event that is beyond the ‘studio’ context.
5. Schools, local communities groups and initiatives that already play an active role in providing visual art activities in Somerset and would like to reach wider audiences by showcasing their work during Art Weeks 2011.

Q3: What are the venues and locations?

During previous Art Weeks and in particular during 2006 over 70 community venues, business premises or public spaces were used for visual arts exhibitions, events and performances all over Somerset.  These venues included village halls, skittle alleys, shop windows, public sites, public gardens, schools, community venues etc. The first new format of Art Weeks in 2009 featured 100 venues, whether it be four artists showing work on a joint ‘theme’ or an artist showing the work of their workshop participants/students. The new format of Art Weeks was proven to be successfully taking Visual Arts into these places.

Q4: What are the criteria?

The major difference between Open Studios Event and Art Weeks: Exhibitions & Event is the number of artists that can take part. In Art Weeks 2011, you will need to have at least 4 artists/makers and at least one of you or your group/organisation, must have current SAW membership. If you are an individual artist, you can take part by inviting other artists to join you or be part of another group. Art Weeks 2011 can provide an opportunity for you to promote your work beyond the ‘Open Studio’ format. But there is no reason why you cannot invite other artists to your studio to create and showcase their work, or a ‘project’.

Art Weeks 2011 criteria details as follows:

1. A minimum of FOUR artists (with no maximum number) may exhibit or hold an event together at the venue of their choice.
2. The main contact/lead artists must be a SAW Member (Individual or Affiliate)
3. Artists from outside Somerset should not exceed 50% of your group and will only be invited to take part in the Art Weeks 2011: Exhibitions and Events.
4. If you are an organisation, event organiser or a curator wanting to present an exhibition or a project, you must be a SAW Affiliate Member (Membership fee is £60/year, details please click here).
5. A reduced fee will apply to all SAW Individual Members taking part.
6. A reduced fee will apply to non-selling shows (limited to 10 projects) at the discretion of the board. Please contact SAW for details.
7. A reduced fee for SAW Emerging Artists.

Q5: What is the benefit to include the participation of artists from outside the county?

In response to examples of good practice from the wider membership Art Weeks: Exhibition & Event aims to encourage SAW members to explore new ideas, work with other artists, develop new skills, increase their audiences and make useful links outside the county.  Art Weeks 2010 is an opportunity for SAW and its members to:

• Network and make/show work with artists from elsewhere. This could lead to opportunities for Somerset artists to show their work further afield.
• Create new partnership opportunities in order to exchange ideas and skills and develop new audiences.  This could include working with artist networks in other counties or placement exchanges between studio groups here and abroad.
• Create opportunities to attract new artist members - particularly post graduates and artists coming to live in Somerset - as well as "groups". via the new SAW Affiliate Membership.
• Raise the profile of visual artists living in Somerset, thereby creating more opportunities for SAW members and increase audiences for their work.
• Celebrate making art with people of Somerset, young and old.

Q6: What is the Registration Fee?

We are currently reviewing the fee of 2011, the following are the fee in 2009.
The fees are divided into individuals and groups for Art Weeks. You will need to be SAW member in order to take part, or be invited to take part by a member.

1. SAW Member - £75
2. Non-member - £100 (name of the artist will not be list in the SAW member art-form directory in the Guide)
3. SAW Member: Emerging Artist - £50
4. Group Fee for min 4 artists -  £400 (name of the gallery/ group/organisation will be listed on the directory and highlighted in the guide, but not including individual artists’ name)
5. School/ community group* - £100

* Restricted to certain organisations and decision made at the discretion of the board, please contact SAW for details.

For example:

Case A: If all of you are all individual SAW members:
The total registration fee is:

£75/each SAW member x 4 = £300 or Group fee £400 for more than 4 artists to take part (Artists name will not be listed individually in the index if you pay a group fee)
Note: SAW membership fee £40 each per year, £25 for emerging artist

Case B: If two of you are SAW members and two are non-member
The total registration fee is:
(£75/each SAW member x 2) + (£100 each non-member x2) = £350
Note: SAW membership fee £40/year
Non-members can not be more than 50% of your group

Case C: If you enter as a gallery, group or organisation
The total registration fee is: £400 (Flat fee)
Note: SAW affiliate membership fee £60/year

Case D: If you enter as an organisation and show non-selling work or a project.
The total registration fee is: £100
Note: Please contact SAW for details.

PLEASE NOTE: Above fee is base on 2009 and for reference only. The actual fee for 2011 will be announced in November 2010. Please contact us if you are not sure about the fee.

Q7: What do you get for your money?

Each ENTRY will benefit from the following:

1. 70 word description about your work
2. 1 image, additional images cost £50 each
3. Publicity: includes press releases and advertising in local and national press
4. Printed Guide: 60,000 will be distributed
5. Website: individual Art Weeks page for each venue
6. Road signs and other promotional materials that make your venue easy for visitors to find

In previous years the Art Weeks in 2009 have attracted an average of around 650 visitors per venue, with sales of around £2,500 per venue.

Q8: When and how to make my registration?

Registration form will be available from November 2010. Registration Deadline is at the end of February 2011. Registration form will be sent to current SAW member directly and it will be available to be downloaded from this page.

'Art For Everyone'

Somerset Art Weeks 09: Exhibition & Events 

19th September to 4th October 2009 
Somerset Art Weeks 2009 features group exhibitions, community projects and events. The event showcases a diverse range of visual arts from pottery and painting to new media and installations. Over 450 artists/makers will showcase their work in 98 venues across Somerset.

Art Weeks 09 features a wide range of exhibitions and art projects, including 'Border', an art project that takes place at various venues across the Blackdown Hills Somerset/Devon border; 'Cream' the West Somerset signpost show, and  'Transform' at Strode Theatre, which is a multi-media exhibition created by the art group at Shepton Mallet Prison.  There will be venues throughout Somerset including galleries, art venues, village halls, schools, historic buildings, public spaces, hospitals, artist studios, gardens, local shops, pubs and cafes. Somerset Art Weeks 09 will bring Art to Everyone!

Download the Art Weeks Guide 09 via the links below: