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  • 1.  Marketing the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art

    Posted 05-06-2015 12:22 PM

    The deadline for submissions for our $10K 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art is fast approaching (May 29th) and we don't have as many applicants as we'd like. Any suggestions on best practices to get the word out? I've done eblasts, press releases, pitches to local and regional media, social media campaigns and more. This is a great opportunity for southern artists and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to reach more of them so they can apply! ($25 entrance fee) .

    Thanks in advance!!

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    Amy Mercer
    Marketing and Communications Director
    Gibbes Museum of Art
    Charleston SC
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  • 2.  RE: Marketing the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art

    Posted 05-07-2015 09:39 AM

    For starters you could put an announcement and application on your website where it can easily be found.  I did find the award after some digging but not the announcement and application.  The internet is a very fast medium.  If people don't find something in 30 seconds they will move on.  2 minutes tops.

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    Mary Pugh
    Exhibit Services Assistant Mng Senior
    Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
    Williamsburg VA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Marketing the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art

    Posted 05-07-2015 11:05 AM
    If you have not done so, already, I would suggest notifying district arts councils within all the states as well as universities and art schools (many great faculty artists who are also well connected within their communities and could get the word out).   Craft a release to make it easy for any organization to forward.  And, consider providing a link for art museums to put on their website with a blurb about the prize, etc.  I agree with the other suggestion that came to you of making it one stop shopping on your website.  

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    Tracy Spikes
    Director
    Silver City Museum
    Silver City NM
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Marketing the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art

    Posted 05-07-2015 01:50 PM
    I'm at a Southern art museum, and am about to check with our curator to see if we can't do an email with a link to regional artists. For next year, would it be possible email colleagues at Southern museums with the information? You could also send your information to SouthArts and SEMC for inclusion in their newsletters.

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    Mary LaGue
    Registrar
    Taubman Museum of Art
    Roanoke VA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Marketing the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art

    Posted 05-08-2015 04:24 PM

    Hi Amy, 

    Have you considered purchasing ad space (which I don't think is expensive) on web-based art publications that focus on the eligible states? I'm thinking of Burnaway in particular, maybe ArtsATL, Miami New Times, Pelican Bomb (not sure it takes ads). Or approaching those publications via social media about promoting your link on Fb/Twitter? 

    Good luck! 

    -Megan


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    Megan Voeller
    Associate Curator
    Contemporary Art Museum University of South Florida
    Tampa FL
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    Original Message