FAQs
Email us info@artwavefestival.org if you have any further questions.
when is the deadline to register?
The deadline to register is 3 May 2024. Registration is limited to 170 exhibitions, so apply soon to guarantee your place. Once you have completed the registration form and paid online (by credit / debit card) you will receive an order confirmation. You do not need an image or text about your exhibition at this stage, we will collect those later once you have completed the first registration.
Why is registration limited this year?
Listening to visitor and exhibitor feedback from 2023, we are limiting registration to 170 exhibitions so that visitors can visit a higher proportion of exhibitions than in previous years.
I want to take part in artwave, but I don't have a venue. How Do I find one?
You need to have arranged somewhere to show your work before you register, as we do not accept registration from artists without an exhibition venue. You can show work in a studio, shed, barn, garden, conservatory, pub, hall, gallery, caravan, restaurant, cafe or shop. Quirky venues often attract more publicity and visitors!
If you are looking for somewhere to show your work we suggest:
approaching local shops, hospitality venues or local businesses to ask if you could display with them
approaching Artwave venues who have opened in the past. You can search for artists based in the Lewes District on The Makers Directory
hiring a hall / venue
If you search Instagram for #artwavematch you will see all the people who are on a similar quest and - hopefully - find the perfect match. Good luck!
Are you an artist looking for a venue? Or a venue in need of another maker to complete your line up?
We don’t have the resources to match everyone who is looking, but we do encourage you to post your search on Instagram stating clearly what you’re offering / looking for, followed by the hashtag #artwavematch
If you search Instagram for #artwavematch you will see all the people who are on a similar quest and - hopefully - find the perfect match. Good luck!
Is my registration fee refundable?
By completing the registration form you are confirming you will take part in Artwave 2024. All registration fees are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Do I have to Live in the Lewes District to take part?
No - You do not have to live in the Lewes District Council boundaries but there are subsidised fees to take part in the event if your exhibition location is within the Lewes District Council boundaries.
Does my Exhibition need to be in the Lewes District to take part?
Yes - or within reasonable distance. The event is arranged by Visit Lewes to promote the artistic community in the Lewes District. Any exhibition held within the Lewes District Council boundaries is subsidised by Lewes District Council.
Can I show the work of more than one artist?
Yes - many participants invite other artists and makers to show work alongside them, which can increase visitors as well as share the costs and work involved in taking part. Please note that there are different (slightly higher) registration fees depending on the number of artists taking part.
Can I exhibit My work in more than one location?
Yes - you can exhibit in one solo show and one group show during Artwave.
Can private homes open for Artwave 2024?
Yes! We are once again allowing private homes, home studios etc to register for Artwave.
Is there a selection process?
No - we are an inclusive un-curated festival and there is no jury selection. We encourage artists and makers of all ages, and at all stages of their career, to take part. We are proud to have supported work by school and college students, marginalised artists and outreach groups, alongside established artists.
Can I show Existing Work?
We only accept exhibitions that have been curated for Artwave i.e. they must be unique exhibitions for the festival and not existing or permanent displays. However, the work you show can be existing work.
if I show work at a shop / business how are the costs shared?
This is totally up to you / your group to decide with the shop / business. Artwave have no rules in place for this and expect no income except for the registration fee (i.e we do not charge commission). In some cases the shop / business pays for the Artwave registration and then charges the artist /s to exhibit work with them, and / or a commission on sales. In other cases the artist has paid all the Artwave fees and been given the space for free by the shop / business. This is all down to you to negotiate and up to every individual exhibition to decide this themselves.
if I am hosting / arranging an exhibition with a group of artists how are the costs shared?
This is up to you to decide. Artwave have no rules in place for this and expect no income except for the registration fee (i.e we do not charge commission). In some cases exhibition organisers charge a fee for artists to take part, charge a submission fee or charge commission on sales. In other cases all share the costs evenly.
Do I need insurance?
All venues should take out public liability insurance. If someone has a serious accident in your workshop or studio, you could be sued. You may wish to check with your insurer to see if you are already covered for public liability. Please take every precaution to exhibit your artwork safely. We cannot recommend specific insurance companies, however excellent information and options can be found through Artists' Newsletter. Lewes District Council does not accept liability for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any member of the public in relation to Artwave Festival.
You should discuss your insurance needs with any shop or business you exhibit in, as their current insurance may cover the event.
Can I Arrange Associated Events?
Yes - you can arrange as many associated events as you would like to. However, please note that the Artwave fee is only to promote exhibition listings and any event promotion will have to be done yourself.
Does artwork need to be for sale?
No! Your exhibition does not have to include work for sale.
How does the Disability and Discrimination Act of 1995 affect my exhibition?
The Disability and Discrimination Act (DDA) came into force in 2004 and requires anyone inviting the public to an event or exhibition to make reasonable adjustments for access. The Artwave website will list whether your venue has full disabled access or not.
Are there any other costs involved?
Other costs are optional but can include:
Additional posters, flyers or banners to identify your exhibition
Private view: including drinks, invitations etc
Publicity for your exhibition: including a website, flyers etc
Wrapping and sales materials
Cash box and / or credit card facilities
If more than one artist is showing in an exhibition should costs be shared?
The contact who registers to take part in Artwave is responsible for paying the invoice to Lewes District Council, however how / if the costs are split, commission charged etc is not determined by Artwave - it is up to every individual exhibition to decide this themselves.
How much work is involved in taking part?
This is optional depending on the amount of days you will be open and the facilities you are providing. Remember to factor in your time for promoting your exhibition, setting up and taking down work and that your venue must be invigilated during opening hours.
Do I need to promote my own exhibition?
The Artwave team promotes the festival as a whole. We therefore strongly recommend that you produce your own publicity, flyers, posters, press releases etc and circulate these to your mailing lists or contacts. Remember that you are in competition with the other open houses to attract visitors.
Start your publicity well in advance of the festival and remember to check deadlines of individual publications. You will be given information of marketing ideas when you have registered.
Please remember that when displaying posters and banners outside your venue or elsewhere in the area you may need to obtain permission for a temporary advertisement from the local planning authority under the Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007. Failure to obtain the appropriate permission may result in prosecution. Contact Lewes District Council Planning for more details.
do I have to use the artwave branding on my promotional items?
We ask that you maintain the Artwave branding on all your publicity. Please use the logos and style guide here.
Do I have to open on specific dates and times?
No - it is a purely personal choice. You can open at any point from 7 - 22 September 2024 for just one day or every day! Feedback from previous years has shown that opening between 11am and 5pm over weekends is successful.
Can I serve refreshments?
Only registered food businesses are allowed to sell / serve food and drink. You can register with Lewes District Council as a food business during Artwave free of charge here. There are also many local businesses who have mobile catering who you can work with. It is up to you / your group to decide with them in terms of how costs and income are shared. Artwave expects no income except for the registration fee. Please note that you are not allowed to charge for alcohol without the appropriate licences.
How many visitors will come?
This is an unknown - Artwave is not responsible for the number of visitors to your exhibition, as this is dependent on many factors including your location and other venues open near you. The Artwave team does promote the overall festival, but visitor numbers can be affected by promoting your own venue, social media in particular Instagram has proved an increasingly popular tool - see notes above on 'Do I need to promote my own exhibition'.
Can I raise Money For Charity?
Yes - it is a purely personal choice if you wish to raise money for a charity/charities. In previous years many exhibitions have raised money for local and national charities. Please note the charity discount is only for registered charities and CICs arranging an exhibition, NOT for exhibitions giving a proportion of money to charity. Proof of Charity Number must be provided on purchase.