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STUDIO TOUR CHECKLIST FOR ARTISTS

Tour Artists:

These tasks and to-dos are suggestions for you, organized in chronological order so that you can tackle things in a timely manner. Remember, you don’t have to do all of the things on this list! Pick the ones that fit you best and fit your clientele best and go from there.

Put these items on your planner for the next month and watch the magic happen!

3 - 4 Weeks Before the Tour (or Sooner)

Create new work for the tour!
Regularly post on social media channels to promote the tour (you can share other artists, post about yourself, etc)
Email your mailing list to let them know about the event. • Share sneak peeks of your work and your space. • Communicate about special offerings or deals. • Share what they can expect at your studio (how are you going to draw them to your location?).
Create, print and mail postcards.
Check business card inventory, order more if needed
Prepare a small free offering for your patrons who attend (not necessary, but it really leaves patrons feeling appreciated and loved)

Two Weeks Before the Tour

Pick up yard signs, banners and maps at Lincoln Gallery.
Prepare your work to be displayed (wires, frames, etc).
Prepare labels for your work (include your name, title of the work, size, medium and price) – Find a helper or two to assist you at the tour event. Make sure you train your assistant in regards to running sales, packaging artwork, etc.
Get familiar with the Loveland Art Studio Tour App. Download it to your phone and practice with it.
Pick up some maps at Lincoln Gallery or have some of the PDF version printed.
Keep engaged on social media and emails. Remind people of the event and share with them what you are excited about and what they can expect to see.

One Week Before the Tour

Have change ready for cash sales
Pick up packing materials (paper, bubble wrap, plastic bags, tape, etc)
Test out your digital devices for credit card sales (if applicable)
Create a way to collect visitor information (QR code to your mailing list sign up, a guest book, a clip board and sign up sheet, etc)
Figure out food and beverage offerings and schedule a time to pick up or have delivered.
Have red dot stickers or a red marker to mark items as sold.
Create signage for your space to help visitors navigate to all the areas that you want them to see (bathroom as well)
Print out and post your artist statement/bio
Remind people of the event on social media and your mailing list. Send them some progress photos of your space and your work.
Send out texts to friends and family who might like to know about your event.

Day Before the Tour

Put out yard signs and banners the evening before the first day of the tour or the morning of the first day.
When setting up for the event, make sure that all outside and inside walking obstructions are either marked or removed.
Select a music playlist.
Prepare your demo and your materials for demoing.
Confirm with your helpers.
Clean the bathroom.
Put up labels for the work.
Put up signage around your studio location to guide visitors.
Send out a final reminder about the tour via social media and email. Keep this email very simple and straightforward.

During the Tour

Smile and welcome people when they come.
Put a name tag on, even if it’s just a white label that you write on.
Get your food and beverages ready to go. Make sure there are extra available for your helper to put out when needed as well as adequate trash receptacles.
Straighten work as needed.
Get your packing station organized and ready to go.
Put postcards and business cards out for folks to take.
Put maps out for people and be ready to help them with the app if needed.
Be handing out your free offering to guests.
Encourage people to sign up for your “invitation list”.
As people are viewing your work, ask them questions: • Have you seen my work before? • What brings you to the studio today? • Which piece is your favorite? • What is it about “this piece” that draws you in? • Where can you see this hanging in your space? • Do you have questions about my process? • Are you from Loveland or out of town? • What other studios are you visiting today? • Do you need some ideas of where to go next?

DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE CHECKLIST