CLAREMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Artist of the Month Program
Purpose/Background:
The Claremont Community Foundation, in accordance with its mission to “enhance the quality of life in our
region,” hosts an ongoing series of public exhibitions of the work of local artists. Since its inception in 1996, the
series has featured a wide range of styles and media. The program benefits the artists by providing a public space
for them to show their work; the Foundation gains visibility and credibility as a member of the arts community in
our region, thus attracting additional funding for public arts endeavors; and the community benefits from
opportunities to view and enjoy high quality visual art in an easily accessible local venue.
Exhibit Space:
The space is located in an approximately 50' long by 12' wide public area of the office shared by the Claremont
Community Foundation and the Claremont Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors’ Center at 205 Yale
Avenue, Claremont (next door to Wells Fargo Bank and Starbucks). As part of a busy working office, the space is
also occupied by a reception desk (complete with a friendly receptionist, who works for the Chamber, not the
Foundation, so we must avoid disturbing her work as much as possible!), visitor chairs, and other office furniture.
The available wall space is about 9' high and includes one 18' section, two 6' sections, as well as an alcove off the
main space. For sculpture and other free-standing art pieces, artists should provide their own pedestals or sculpture
stands for placement on the floor along the 18’ wall. The Foundation has a few pedestals that can also be used.
There may also be limited space beside the credenza on the 14' wall for stands. Depending upon the size of the
artworks, most artists find that the space accommodates between 10 and 20 pieces comfortably, although we have
shown as many as 35 at a time. Lighting comes from standard business office fluorescent ceiling fixtures, 9
incandescent track spotlights aimed at points along the two main walls, and limited natural light coming through
double glass doors at either end of the space. Although not originally designed to be an art gallery (it used to be a
bank!), the long open space lends itself well to displaying works of various sizes and styles, and artists have been
understanding and creative when dealing with the limited dimensions of the space and lighting. There is a picturehanging rail with brass gallery hangers that must be used for all exhibits. No nails may be used. Nothing may be
attached to the walls!
Selection of Artist and Artworks:
The Foundation’s Visual Arts Committee, through its current Chairman, is responsible for screening, selecting, and
scheduling artists. Priority is given to artists who live in the area served by the Foundation (the Inland Valleys
communities between Kellogg Hill and I-15, and from the Chino Hills to the San Gabriel Mountains). Artists
choose the specific pieces to be exhibited, considering the space available and the sensibilities of the general
public. As the exhibit space is leased by the Foundation from, and located within, the Chamber of
Commerce/Convention and Visitors Center, we request that no artwork with potentially offensive subject matter be
included in these shows. Questions about appropriateness should be referred to the Committee Chairman or
Executive Director.
Interested individuals may submit the attached application form to the Foundation office for consideration. Photos
or slides of representative samples of the artist’s work should be submitted with the application and should include
titles, dimensions, media and dates. (Photos will be returned if requested). The Committee Chairman will contact
the artist to confirm acceptance and scheduling of exhibit.
June 2012
Liability:
Artwork is shown at the artist/owner’s risk. The exhibitor understands that members of the
public may have unsupervised direct access to the works on display. Neither the Foundation
nor the Chamber will accept any responsibility for damage or theft or other loss that may
occur during the installation, display, removal or storage of the works.
Schedule:
The Committee Chairman and selected artist will negotiate a show schedule to include
installation, opening reception, and removal dates and times. Public viewing will be during
regular business hours (Monday -- Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Installation and removal
must be scheduled to occur during non-business hours. Each show will remain on display for
approximately one month.
Installation/Removal:
Artists are encouraged to plan ahead and bring whatever supplies, equipment (including
measuring tape, tools, etc.), and helpers are needed to install/remove the artwork and show it
to best advantage. Please do not count on Foundation or Chamber staff to assist you, although
Foundation staff may be available for limited support if necessary.
Please provide two copies of a brief biography and/or artist’s statement in a format suitable
for display. If the work is to be available for purchase, please provide a list of pieces with sale
price. Artist may also display brochures, studio information, or business cards if available.
Artworks must be removed from display by the artist at the scheduled end of the show to
make room for the next artist. Pieces may be held at the office for no more than one week for
buyers or for the artist to pick up. Exceptions must be cleared in advance with the office staff.
We have very limited storage space!
IMPORTANT
Nothing may be placed on or attached to the walls in any way! Identifying information such
as artists’ names for group shows and titles should be neatly placed on the artwork.
Opening Reception:
The Foundation Board and staff will host an opening reception honoring the artist. These are
normally scheduled on the first Friday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Light hors
d’oeuvres, wine, soft drinks, juice and/or coffee may be served. Artists may add to these
refreshments if they choose to.
Publicity:
The Foundation will send one bulk mailing (300 to 400 postcards or single sheet fliers)
announcing the exhibit and reception to a selected list of potential guests. The artist is invited
to design and produce the mailing piece, again to be consistent with her/his own style and
exhibit theme. Before reproducing, please have office staff review your design to be sure all
necessary information is included and format meets the post office’s bulk mailing standards.
The Foundation’s art show mailing list includes Foundation Board and Committee members,
visitors from previous art exhibits, local media outlets, and others requesting notification.
The artist may submit up to 50 additional addressed postcards if desired. The mailing should
be ready for posting approximately two to three weeks before the opening reception.
The Claremont Courier lists our exhibits in its “Galleries” section, and the artist is welcome
to generate any additional publicity desired — please discuss with Foundation staff in
advance.
There is a “current exhibition” sign on our front door. The artist is invited to design some
signage for that space. If nothing is provided by the artist, the exhibition post card or flyer
will be placed in that space.
Sales and Donations:
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The artist should establish a fixed price for works displayed. Some artists have indicated that
their prices are negotiable; the Foundation staff will refer potential buyers directly to the artist
to pursue this option. Exhibits may also include items that are not for sale.
Artwork sold while on display will be marked with a red dot by Foundation staff, but should
be left on display until the end of the show (or replaced with another piece, at the discretion
of the artist). Although the Foundation staff is happy to collect and hold checks or cash from
purchasers on behalf of the artist, checks must be made payable to the artist directly. The
artist is responsible for transmitting any applicable sales taxes to the State Board of
Equalization. A purchaser may not claim charitable tax deductions for works purchased from
the artist at these shows. The Foundation cannot legally participate in these transactions
without jeopardizing its nonprofit tax status or being liable for sales tax and/or unrelated
business income tax.
Most of our exhibiting artists have chosen to make a voluntary contribution to the Foundation
of a percentage of the proceeds (usually 10% to 40%) of whatever sells during their
Foundation show. The artist’s choice in this matter may be expressed in a small sign beside
the visitor register and/or on the price list, as an added incentive for a potential purchaser to
buy something. This is not a requirement to participate in the Foundation’s exhibit program.
Artists’ contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible if made in the form of a check or
cash from the artist to the Foundation; these may be designated for continued support of the
Foundation’s arts programs, or for another purpose of the donor’s choice, of may be left
unrestricted. Please be aware that a donation of artwork does not qualify for a charitable tax
deduction of more than the actual documented costs of the materials and supplies used to
create the piece. Please consult your tax advisor for specific information regarding the
deductibility of art donations.
Staff and Volunteers:
Although the doors are open daily from 9:00 to 5:00, the Foundation is only staffed part-time.
We are happy to help in any way possible, but do have limited time, and there may be times
when no one is present. The Chamber and the Foundation, while we share space, are separate
organizations and we want to maintain our positive working relationship by disturbing them
as little as possible. You may also encounter a number of friendly volunteers who assist in the
Foundation office or with the Chamber activities. Please direct your questions or suggestions
about the Art Exhibit Program to Nickie Cleaves, Executive Director, or directly to Dawn
Grimes, Visual Arts Committee Chair.
Thank you for your interest in the Claremont Community Foundation’s Art Exhibit Program! We have
enjoyed getting to know and work with the many creative individuals who have mounted shows with
us. These artists, once they become part of the Foundation’s “family”, often grow to become good
friends, strong supporters, active volunteers, and positive representatives of the Foundation in the
larger community. Please feel free to visit or call the Foundation office with your questions and
suggestions for ways to make our arts programming even more beneficial to our community!
For more information, please contact:
Dawn Grimes, Visual Arts Committee Chairman
Claremont Community Foundation
Phone: 909-919-0677
Email: sketchedinstone@gmail.com
Nickia Cleaves, Executive Director,
Claremont Community Foundation
Phone: (909) 398-1060
Email: ncleaves@claremontfoundation.org
June 2012
CLAREMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Artist of the Month Exhibit Application
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Please print
Phone #: ______________________
Day
________________________
Evening
Email: ______________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
Street
City
State
Zip
Please describe the art you wish to exhibit — media, style, approximate number and sizes
of pieces, content or theme, etc.:
Describe your background as an artist — education, experience, exhibits, commissions,
etc. (or attach resume):
Do you have other upcoming exhibits scheduled? If so, when and where?
Please mark all months within the next year for which you may be available to schedule
an exhibit:
____
Sept.
____ ____
Oct. Nov.
____
Dec.
____
Jan.
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Feb. March April May June July
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you or your art?
Please submit your application and art samples to:
Claremont Community Foundation, 205 Yale Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST.
June 2012
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Aug.