Avoid These Pay to Play Art Galleries & Venues

Artists often find out about these offers through various forms of advertising, particularly mass emailings. The more agressive senders relentlessly bombard artists with emails and sometimes even contact them directly by phone. Costs to participate can range anywhere from under $100 to thousands of dollars, especially if you factor in incidental expenses like shipping, travel, insurance or accomodations. Whatever the circumstance, make sure you are aware of all costs and potential benefits or drawbacks in advance. Does everyone benefit... or is it more like you pay, they play? Here is a partial list, in no particular order, of publications, venues, and other situations where you have to pay to expose your art, and that you should fully research-- before you pay-- in order to understand exactly what you're getting for your money:

GENERAL RULE, don't pay to exhibit, exceptions quality juried shows at recognized venues, and shared rentals at established venues.

h/t Matt Gleason

from Art Business dot com

* Agora Gallery, New York City (related solicitations: Chelsea International Fine Art Competition)

* Florence Biennale

* Gallery Gora, Montreal, Canada

* Artists Wanted (related solicitations: The Power of Self, Art Takes London, 3rd Ward Open Call, Art Interview Online Magazine, One Life - An International Photography Competition, Art Takes Miami)

* World Art Media (related solicitations: NY Arts Magazine, APW Gallery, Arts Hotline, Art Fairs Newspaper, Annual Artists' Web Directory, Beijing Arts Space, NY Arts Beijing, The Broadway Gallery NYC, Art Fairs International)

* Artoteque (related solicitations: Artists of Today - 100 Contemporary Artists, iBIENNIAL 2011 2012)

* Masters of Today (related solicitations: Art Addiction, World of Art Magazine, Creative Genius, Art in Vogue, Art Connoisseurs, Female Artist's Art Annual, Artist's World - 100 Contemporary Artists, Nude de Nude online art annual, Bibliophile Limited Edition art book)

* World Wide Art Books (related solicitations: International Contemporary Masters, International Masters of Photography)

* World Art Foundation (Umbrella Publishing, Jojo Marengo)

* Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City

* International Contemporary Artists

* Art & Beyond Publications (online Magazine)

* Palm Art Award

* World Art Vision (related solicitations: Open Art Code)

* Everythingisart.cc Magazine

* Contemporary Art Network (CAN), New York City

* Ico (aka Icosahedron) Gallery, Chelsea, New York City

* Art-Exchange (.com)

* RAW - Natural Born Artists

* American Art Awards

* Artist Portfolio Magazine (related solicitations: MyArtContest.com)

* The Artists' Alley, San Francisco, CA (also known as Galiaria)

* American Art Collector published by Alcove Books

* NY Art Marathon

* Artspecifier (related solicitations: Photospecifier)

* A. Jain Marunouchi Gallery, New York City

* Artists Haven Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

* The Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK

* Printspace Gallery, London, UK

* Queen Gallery, Toronto, ON

* Working Artist Org.

* Manu Sol Publications

* Art LA (.com)

* James Gray Gallery, Santa Monica, CA (Art LA)

* Laguna Art (.com)

* Townley Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA (Laguna Art)

* Fine Art Connoisseur (related solicitations: Artist Advocate Magazine, PleinAir Magazine, American Forum for Realism, Plein Air Convention)

* Art Show Productions, Rochester & Pittsford, NY (related solicitations: Artisan Direct, ARTISANworks)