After my experience with damaged work, I’m now looking into what galleries offer in the way of insurance of works during exhibitions – especially Open exhibitions.
I’m picking three that are doing the rounds on facebook at the moment, as ‘must do’ entries (in the eyes of the facebooker artists that is !)
So first, a local one to me is the Williamson Open Exhibition 2014. £5 per work, handing in dates 3-5 January. I looked at the entry form and clearly stated in their entry conditions:
7. All works entered should, if required, be insured against loss or damage while on the premises of the WilliamsonArtGallery & Museum.
Well Done Williamson Art Gallery for mentioning it. ( though why isn’t work covered in the gallery?)
Next is http://www.beerscontemporary.com/opencall/ There is a processing fee of £10 to submit which includes the cost of all 4 images. No mention at all about insuring your own work, but you can email them I suppose. I would be weary of this one ( now being the cynic I am)
OK – Oriel Davies : http://www.orieldavies.org/open2014? Download the conditions and you find:
Artists are responsible for the transport arrangements of their works. Costs incurred in couriering works to and from the Gallery cannot be met by the Gallery. Artists should insure their work while in transit both ways ensuring that it is adequately packed. Oriel Davies Gallery will cover insurance while work is in its care only. The selling price will be used as the insurance value. As any insurance claim will be subject to an excess of £500, artists are advised to cover the excess amount with their own insurance. The Gallery reserves the right not to display work that has been damaged in transit.
That seems very fair to me. Couriering can be an issue ( as some artists who entered Jerwood – me included, can testify) but that all seems very clear. (I find £15 per entry is a bit steep, but knowing that some of that money goes towards insurance is comforting)
This is all very interesting so I’ll keep researching…..
