FAQs RWA Photography Open Exhibition User Manual

Photography Open FAQs

• About the RWA Photography Open

The RWA Photo Open Exhibition is a celebration of contemporary photographic practice and is open to all artists who use this medium to submit either single images or limited series.

Submissions for this exhibition are invited from all artists who create photographic work or explore the nature of photography. Those who use photography to inform their sculpture, installation, architecture or other artistic practice are also encouraged to enter the exhibition. Artists of all ages and experience are welcome to submit. There is no theme, however, submissions must have been created no more than three years ago and must be for sale. All entries are subject to selection and a fee for entry applies.

• How do I enter?

Submissions will be open between 9 September and 9 December. Once submissions are live you can enter by using our Online Exhibition Submission System (OESS) which can be accessed via https://royalwestofenglandacademy.oess1.uk/
When you make an OESS account please keep a record of your username and password. You will need it again to make amendments to your submission ­ and to check your results on 14th December. It is the artists’ responsibility to check their own results, the RWA does not email results individually.

• How is the work selected?

There is a one stage of selection which will be undertaken online, and only those works selected for likely inclusion in the exhibition will need to be delivered to the RWA. You will need to check your account on our submission website https://royalwestofenglandacademy.oess1.uk/ on 14 December 2022 to see if your work has been selected.

• How and when should I get my work to you?

You will need to arrange for delivery of your work on 15 or 16 January 2023. If you are unable to deliver in person, you will need to arrange for a courier to do this on your behalf. Please email photoopen@rwa.org.uk to confirm when it is due to arrive.

• Can I book transport with you?

No, the RWA will not be arranging transport for this exhibition. If you would like a suggestion of couriers to deliver works, please contact curating@rwa.org.uk

• What are the dates I need to remember?

Key dates:

• Submission open: Friday 9 September 2022

• Submissions close: Monday 5 December 2022, at 5pm

• Resultsgo to artists: Wednesday 14 December 2022 (artists need to log in to their OESS account)

• Hand-In: Sunday 15 and Monday 16 January 2023

• PV: Thursday 26 January, 6-8pm

• Exhibition Dates: 28 January ­- 1 May 2023

• Hand Back: Scheduled for Sunday 7 ­- Tuesday 9 May 2023

• How many works can I enter and do I get a discount?

Students, RWA Friends, Patrons and Artist Network members all receive discounted entry. Our Academicians (who pay an annual subscription fee) receive free submission.

• Standard Price
  Maximum Artwork Entries: 3
  First or Single Entry Price: £21.00
  Additional Entries: £21.00 per artwork

• Students
  Maximum Artwork Entries: 3
  First or Single Entry Price: £15.90
  Additional Entries: £15.90 per artwork

• Friends
  Maximum Artwork Entries: 3
  First or Single Entry Price: £15.90
  Additional Entries: £15.90 per artwork

• Artist Network Members
  Maximum Artwork Entries: 3
  First or Single Entry Price: £10.50
  Additional Entries: £10.50 per artwork

• Academicians
  Maximum Artwork Entries: 3
  Free Entry

• If my work doesn’t get selected can I get a refund?

If an artist enters their work and changes their mind before the submission entry deadline they can withdraw their work on the OESS and receive a refund. However, after the entry deadline they will be unable to make any amendments to their entry and will not be able to get a refund ­ please refer to the terms and conditions for more information.

• My work isn’t a traditional photograph. Can I still enter?

Yes! If you feel that photography is a major component to your work you can enter. Those who use photography to inform their sculpture, installation, architecture or other artistic practice are also encouraged to enter the exhibition. There are some guidelines regarding size regulations for each category. Please view the regulations at the end of this FAQ page.

• I’ve never exhibited work in a gallery before, can I still enter?

Yes! You do not need to be art trained or to have been in an exhibition before. We will show work by artists ranging from leading professionals, to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond, and there is no lower or upper age limit.

• If my work is selected, will it definitely be exhibited?

We try to include every selected work in the exhibition, but sometimes it just won’t all fit in the galleries. If your work has been selected, but we haven’t been able to include it in the show, we’ll let you know before the exhibition opens, and will still include it in the online version of the exhibition, and will list you as `selected not hung’.

• What should I do to try to get my work selected?

Make sure you’ve uploaded the best possible image of your work. Remember that the selectors are only voting on the work and will not see any supporting statements or information: it’s purely the strength of the image that will get you through. We always seek to represent a wide variety of subjects, media and styles, so just be yourself and GOOD LUCK!

• I’m having technical difficulties with the Online Exhibition Submission System… help!

OESS are available to support with technical problems, please contact Mark on mark@oess.uk

Medium specific guidelines

Two-Dimensional Work

• Two-dimensional work must not exceed 214 x 214cm (7ft x 7ft).
• The total size of a series must not exceed 214 x 214cm (7ft x 7ft).
• Series must be clearly labelled in large letters on the back of the work.
• A series must have one title and can only be sold as one work.

Photography

• Any medium is acceptable, including digital images, photography and photographic processes.

Printmaking

• Photographic printmaking techniques are eligible.
• Prints may be unique (one-off) pieces or they may be signed, numbered and a limited edition.
• Digital prints are eligible only if it is clear to the selectors that they are original artworks made by the creative use of digital technology and that they are not reproduction prints.
• Artists are permitted to sell unframed multiples of selected work. Please see Section 12: Sale of Work.

Three-Dimensional Work

Sculpture

• The maximum floor space for sculpture is 1m x 1m (3.3 x 3.3ft).
• Please include any specific display instructions in Special Instructions when submitting on OESS.
• Artists are permitted to sell multiples of selected work, e.g. bronzes.
• Please note that it may not be possible to display work as requested, e.g. although we aim to display work as appropriate we cannot guarantee that specific plinth sizes can be met.
• Sculptures must weigh no more than is safe for two people to lift ­ 50kg
• The dimensions of the RWA lift are 300cm height, 290cm depth and 200cm width.
• The RWA has limited storage space therefore we ask that any particularly large, heavy or fragile sculpture that is not hung at the final selection stage is collected by Thursday 6 October. If you are unsure if your work merits this classification, please call the RWA to discuss before submitting.
• Please ensure floor- and plinth-based works are stable.
• When submitting sculpture, please consider the health and safety implications of exhibiting work in a public place. Where work is deemed to be too great a health and safety risk for inclusion, the decision of the RWA is final.

Installation

• Maximum size must adhere to either 2D or 3D requirements (see above).
• Please note that artists are not permitted to set-up installations in advance and must include full instructions for assembly and display with their entry. All installations are assembled and installed by RWA Technicians.
• Installation components must not weigh more than is safe for two people to lift ­ 50kg (see details on regional transport for further restrictions).
• The dimensions of the RWA lift are 300cm height, 290cm depth and 200cm width.
• The RWA has limited storage space therefore we ask that any large, heavy or fragile installation components that are not hung at the final selection stage are collected by Thursday 6 October. If you are unsure if your work merits this classification, please call the RWA to discuss before submitting.
• Please ensure floor- and plinth-based works are stable.
• Please consider the health and safety implications of exhibiting work in a public place. Where work is deemed to be a health and safety risk the decision of the RWA is final.
• Please contact the RWA if you are unsure if your entry adheres to the Terms and Conditions.

Artists’ Books

• Artist books are permitted for entry.
• Please include display instructions in Special Instructions if necessary.

Works Inadmissible

• Works in frames or on stretchers to which mirror plates cannot be easily fixed.
• Unframed works on paper, other than those that are unframed for reasons that are part of the overall aesthetic.
• Reproduction prints, where the created original image is in another medium ­ eg a giclee print of a painting, drawing or etching.
• Due to installation limitations, we are unable to accept site-specific work entries.
• Work containing offensive material. Please note that the decision of what constitutes offensive material is at the discretion of the RWA.

References

• RWA - OESS2

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