Frequently Asked Questions
What are CAST 2024 dates and times?
ARTIST STUDIO TOUR DATES:
Friday, May 3rd - 2 pm - 8 pm
Saturday, May 4th - 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, May 5th - 10 am - 4 pm
Is there a cost to attending the tour?
Calgary Artists Studio Tour is FREE and self-guided.
How does Calgary Artists Studio Tour work?
The tour is personal to each person on it and it is free. A map will be provided for download and people can visit as many artists as they desire. The tour is open for three days to all ages. The map will be available on the website with all of the artists’ locations, so you can pre plan your self-guided route. Make sure to sign up to our newsletter to be reminded when the map is made available for download.
How can I find out more about individual artists?
Our 2024 Artist Studio Showcase page offers detailed descriptions of each artist with, samples of their work, links to their websites and social media. click HERE to check them out.
Where can I get my self-guided map?
There will be access to a map on our website after the Artist Participation deadline. Please sign up to be reminded to download your map and plan your personal route!
How is this tour different from an Art Show or Market?
Our experience in the first year is that people come and stay on average about 45 minutes. This is very different from an Art Show / Market Experience. The atmosphere in a studio tour is more relaxed and the connection building is stronger and more meaningful.
Who are the CAST committee members?
CAST committee is composed of a group of local artists volunteering their time to offer the opportunity for emerging and professional artists alike to gain visibility and interactions within their community and the Calgary area. See who’s on the committee.
How can I contact CAST with any further questions?
Please contact us through the CONTACT PAGE or email the committee at hello@calgaryartiststudiotour.com
Artist Tour Participant Requirements
Artist Participants must be available to participate all three days and hours of the event.
All artists who submit applications for the event are required to participate in all three days and all of the CAST tour's working hours. This is crucial in order to maintain the integrity of the tour for all Artist Participants going forward and because the marketing materials and maps are made for these days and hours with no acceptations.
Art enthusiasts who sign up for the self-guided tour assume that the studios posted will be available at these times and dates, and they frequently travel great distances to make the most of the tour. We must work together to avoid disappointing visitors and preventing them from visiting our fellow artist studios.
Artists who are discovered to be harming the tour's image by not being present will be banned from the event going forward.
Artist Participants must provide notice of any potential safety hazards in your studio, creative space, or artistic process.
Since accidents can occur anywhere, you must ensure that your home/business insurance offers the necessary legal coverage for the CAST event. By filling out an Artist Application and agreeing to this liability waiver, you agree that it is your duty to make sure you have the necessary insurance and liability coverage for the CAST studio tour event on May 3 through May 5 of 2024, and you are thus absolving the CAST committee of any liability.
Collaborating Artists
Artists can team up in one location for the 2024 tour. If you are teaming up with a fellow artist, please note that each artist on the tour must:
Fill out the application and pay the $50 application fee by the March 15th deadline to be included in and receive all the marketing and benefits of participation.
Each applicant must apply with the address of the location where they will be present for the 2024 tour dates.
Display or demo their studio art practice in some way (video, progress pieces, live painting, etc.) to realize CAST’s mission of providing a unique and meaningful experience that allows tour goers into your studio for a deeper understanding of your creative process.
Artist Website
An artist website, also known as a portfolio website, is a vital tool for creatives because it allows you to showcase your portfolio of work for art show and gallery representation, market to new audiences, gain a following, and make connections and sales.
CAST is about building relationships between professional artists and the public and having a website supports this goal.
Artist Social Media Account
Social Media Accounts allow artists to be visible to the public, by marketing their work, developing an audience, and finding peers and inspiration.
CAST volunteers will help support you with marketing ideas, reels and posts you can share, and wording you can use in your newsletter. Collaboration and co-promotion will be key to getting the word out about the CAST event.
What does CAST consider a home studio or creative space?
For CAST, you don't need to have a "formal" at-home studio. We are aware that not every artist has a dedicated space or a studio with a door. Many of us operate from other locations, such as the kitchen table or a room's corner, and that is OK. You must demonstrate your status as an active artist on the CAST tour, by creating a small “working space, demo or display of your studio practice” ,with the goal of sparking a discussion about how you create.
What does my $50 Artist Application cover?
Profile on CAST Artist Showcase page on www.calgaryartistsstudiotour.com website
Marketing Package, including:
Backlink "Do Follow" to your website and social media profiles
“Do Follow” links are links that point back to your website for human eyes, Google and other search engines to crawl (view). Do Follow links increase page rank of your website and help push your site further up to first page of google searches. Do follow links are part of any great websites’ organic search strategy.
CAST Email and social media marketing, provided by the CAST website, including individual artist features throughout the year!
Paid marketing
Invitation to artist networking event with special artist offering
Virtual (Zoom) guidance and training for artists leading up to CAST weekend
Introduction to "new to you" collectors
100% of the proceeds from your art studio sales over the event
Newsletter growth, through raffle prizes offered for sign up at your location.
The chance to buy signs and stands with the CAST logo at CAST volume discount prices. With the low-cost insertion of stickers for any date modification, CAST signage can be utilized for subsequent years.
Do I have to be a painter?
No, we are welcoming artists of all kinds. Painters, Potters, jewelers, crafters, etc.
When is the Artist Application deadline?
Artist Participation Applications will be accepted until midnight (MST) March 15th, 2024. Payment must be included for consideration.
All about signs Do I need to purchase Signs? How many do I need? When will I receive them?
March 22, 2024 is the deadline for CAST 2024 sign purchases.
It is recommended to use signage to direct drivers and pedestrians from various exterior location entries. They have a big impact on how successfully those navigating the self-guided tour find your CAST location.
Signage is not required. It is strongly advised that you display at least one sign to let visitors know that you are officially part of the Calgary Artists Studio Tour.
You can buy as many signs as you think are necessary to successfully direct collectors to your address. Purchase quantities are unlimited.
Each CAST sign includes a base that can be secured in the ground. The CAST signage is intended to be used annually, with an addendum for altered dates and hours.
After the March 22nd deadline, signs will be purchased and will be ready for pickup one week prior to the event. To keep costs down, signs are purchased in bulk for the event, and all artist participants will receive an email with pickup information.
CAST does not make a profit from the signs. What you pay for signs is the actual cost. Being a bulk order we are able to keep costs down for all participants.
Buy Signs: Deadline March 22, 2024.
My studio is not in Calgary, can I still be on the tour?
Yes you can! We are including some of the surrounding communities.
Calgary Artists Studio Tour Participant locations must be in a 50km radius of Calgary City Centre (Examples include: Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, Strathmore).
How many Artists will be part of the tour?
Our first year, 2022, we had 12. In 2023 we had 39! Our vision is that the public in Calgary and surrounding areas connect with Artists and see the vibrant art scene. There is no limit.
Are Artist Applications and signs refundable?
Artists submitting an application for CAST 2024 pay a non-refundable $50.00 fee by the application deadline. Applications received without the fee will not be considered for the event.
The deadline to purchase signage ($20 each sign + stand) is March 22nd, 2024. Please make sure you are accurately ordering the quantity you require. Signs are ordered in volume and will not be refundable after the deadline date.
How to crop, resize and name images for Artist Applications?
MAC Users:
Resize and export an image with Preview (MAC users)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVRy2IpqXLE
PC Users:
Crop an image with PC (windows 10 and 365)
How to crop image using Photos on Windows 10
To crop or resize an image using the Photos app on Windows 10, use these steps:
1. Search for Photos and click the top result to open the app.
2. Click on the picture. Quick tip: If the image is not available in the collection, using File Explorer, right-click the image, select the Open with option, and click the Photos option.
3. Click the Crop button from the top-center toolbar.
4. Use the pins in corners to select the area you want to crop.
5. Click and drag the image to center it in the cropping area and outline your image, cropping away all but the actual artwork.
6. Click the Save a copy button and rename your image.
7. Once you complete the steps, the image will be cropped and saved to the location you specified.
Resize an image with PC (windows 10 and 365)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjAQ_DkszFc
Please label your photos in this format:
Headshot photo - firstname_lastname_headshot.
Example: john_doe_headshot
Artwork photo - firstname_lastname_title of painting_medium_size in inches.
Example: jane_doe_my landscape is awesome_oil_20x20
Images are uploaded in the Artist Application Form, if you’ve missed this step, you can upload your images HERE.
What personal information from the Artist Application will be visible to the public?
Personal information including your name, studio name, address, website, email address, social links, headshot and 3 artwork images provided as part of the application process, will be published directly on the website for the tour artist showcase, scheduling, routing and marketing of the event.
The week following the event, both the map and physical addresses will be removed from the website
Artist Tour Participant Considerations For Success
How should I set up my space as a Participating Artist?
Get creative. Make your space welcoming to guests, and make an impact with art enthusiasts and collectors.
Studios and artwork displayed can be in the same or in separate areas at the same location (address), but all must be accessible to tour guests.
You do not require a “formal” at home studio to participate in CAST. We realize all artists do not have a designated room or closed door studio. Many of us work from external spaces, the kitchen table or a corner of a room and that's perfectly fine. CAST tour only requires you to display that you’re a working artist, so a quick “working area” set up to start some conversation around your practice is all that is required.
Don’t have a designated space or aren’t comfortable with the public in your home, but know someone who will allow you to borrow their space? If you have an agreement with someone else to to hold your studio tour in their location, make sure this is the location CAST should be publishing for the public by inputting this location on your Artist application.
Co-Promotion
Co-promotion is respectfully requested and appreciated by CAST 2024.
Your assistance in co-promoting CAST 2024, entails utilizing your social media platforms and email lists to create excitement and awareness around the event.
All Artist Applicants can benefit from working together to produce a successful and enjoyable experience.
Draw prizes and/or giveaways
Why should you have a draw or giveaway? It can help boost your newsletter subscriber list. You can choose a painting (or pack of cards or another product) for the door prize. It can be big or small. Then for each person who signs up to your email newsletter they will be entered into a raffle to win the door prize.
Marketing materials and Signage
In order to guarantee a successful event, make sure to have clear signage and marketing materials (a digital copy will be given by CAST 2024) or self-marketing materials like business cards or brochures (not required, but a wise move) to further promote your brand and forge important connections!
Signs can be purchased HERE.
Guestbooks
The tour is all about connection. This is an added touch you can include at your studio that personalizes someone’s experience and gives you a written testimonial to support the growth of CAST and your own art business.
Taking payments
It is recommended that customers be able to pay at the event using a Point of Sale (POS) system, though email transfers are also an option if receipts are provided. To guarantee a seamless and expert transaction process, make sure to have a payment system in place. Make sure to test your system prior to the event.
Packaging
Personalized small touches matter, such as a sticker or a thank you card. If that is too much right now just make sure that your painting can make it to its’ forever home safely.
Support
Make sure you have a safe, enjoyable and valuable event.
CAST Artist Participants reported that visitors stayed an average of 45 minutes at each location for enjoyable, relaxed conversations and appreciation of your craft. Enthusiasts enjoying the tour are reported to be composed of new collectors, neighbours from your community, fellow artists and family and friends of all ages. This all leads to a very busy weekend for CAST Artists! It's important to consider having support during tour hours. Having someone support you during tour hours can ensure a safe environment (so you are not working alone), help offer refreshments, take payment, package work for customers, etc. All this allows for you to be available to make those valuable connections with visitors during the event.
Do I have to serve beverages and food?
It is a wonderful added touch to the experience but not required. Other options that have been tried and enjoyed are goody bags as the collector is leaving.