TOUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
 

• All new artists must submit applications.

• All applications will be reviewed by the Studio Tour’s jurying committee (see 'Acceptance' below).

• Applicants should work or reside within the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. The geographical boundaries of the Studio Tour are limited to those of Whitchurch-Stouffville Township.

Requirements

General

• The deadline for application submission is February 15th of each calendar year.

• Participants must be at least 19 years of age.

• Studios must be within the geographical boundary of Whitchurch-Stouffville Township.

• The studio or exhibition space must be your own residence or working studio unless you apply as a guest artist (and have already arranged to exhibit with an existing Studio Tour artist). Please note that if you are applying as a resident artist and rent your exhibition space, you must obtain your landlord’s permission to use it as a business venue.

• Acceptance is based on review by the jurying committee. Committee members will visit the applicants at their place of exhibition (i.e. your home/studio) to review BOTH your artwork and your location.

• Upon acceptance to the Studio Tour (not prior), a fee of $125.00** dollars will be payable to the Stouffville Studio Tour. This fee is non-refundable as money is allocated to advertising and promotional costs.

**at this time, but subject to change

ACCEPTANCE
Please note that acceptance into Studio Tour membership is not guaranteed based solely on the application. We take pride in the quality that we have established on the Studio Tour and make every effort to maintain it!

After the application has been submitted: 

• If the applicant meets the basic geographic requirements, a representative from the Studio Tour will contact the applicant and set up a time for the jury.

• The jurying process takes place at the venue where the artist intends to display their work.

• The committee will review the artist’s work to ensure that it upholds the quality standards of the Studio Tour.

• If the artist is not a guest of an existing Studio Tour member, the committee will also review the venue and may provide suggestions on how the exhibition can be laid out in the event of acceptance.

 
The jurying committee is composed of any combination of two to three artists and/or one gallery curator, chosen by the Studio Tour Executive.  Please note that if a jury committee member is a close friend or relative of an applicant being reviewed, that person will step aside, and a substitute will be appointed.
The jury is looking for some or all of the following qualities in potential Studio Tour artists: 

• An individual who is able to show a robust body of work that demonstrates artistic maturity and creative thought.

• The ability to articulate the motivation, meaning, and significance of their work.

• An individual who shows signs of continuing to explore art and improve their skill.

• An artistic CV that includes memberships in artistic societies and/or acceptance in juried shows.

If not accepted, resubmission for the following years is encouraged! If selected, but space is not available within the Studio Tour's 24-venue limitation, you may be placed on a waiting list.

• Artists who have participated in the Studio Tour in previous years will be invited to join again, though there may be exceptions. Returning artists are given priority over new artists entering the Studio Tour.

• Returning artists are not required to undergo the jury process again unless deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. A review of participation may be necessary due to a change in studio site or media.

• After one year with the tour, an artist is eligible to participate in executive and governing committee positions as long as they are still participating in the tour itself.

 
Expectations
The artist must not, in any way, endanger the Studio Tour’s reputation and the goodwill it has achieved in the community by any action or statement detrimental to the Studio Tour. If the artist fails to fulfill these obligations, the executive committee reserves the right to refuse the artist’s participation in the Studio Tour and will not reimburse any submitted artist fees.

Exhibiting artists are required to exhibit 30% new original work each year. Only 25% of the total work can be in the form of prints or reproductions.
Work can be based on photographic reference only if the photos have been taken by the artist, or they have express permission to use photos. This is necessary to avoid plagiarism and liability issues.

Guest Artists
Guest artists are defined as artists entitled to exhibit in the studios of other accepted resident artists. It is the responsibility of guest artists to secure a spot within the tour venues.

As noted above, guest artists must also go through the jurying process with the Studio Tour selection committee; the resident artist must be aware of the submission and the resident artist will be contacted for verification.
Guest artist application submission deadline is Febuary 15th . The fee for accepted guest artists is $125.00 and is non-refundable.

MEETINGS
The Studio Tour holds four general membership meetings each year. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory. If, due to illness or prior commitment you are unable to attend, it is your responsibility to notify the Studio Tour membership ahead of time and ensure that you obtain any materials and information you may have missed due to your absence.

Volunteer COMMITMENT
When an artist has been accepted, they will be asked to help with some of the setup and activities leading up to the tour. Some responsibilities include:

• Fundraising (brochure ad sales and collection of artwork for advertising). Existing artists are required to secure one (1) ad sponsor by the sponsorship deadline in May as set out in the tour schedule. This ad must not be one advertising your own work for sale, we are looking for community business involvement, not sponsorship from our artists!

• Studio Tour promotion through distribution of promotional materials and signage placement.

• Participation in the annual Studio Tour Preview Show at For the Love of Jo during the months of September and October

• Submissions to be used on Studio Tour social media.