Frequently Asked Questions from Students
1. What are the qualifications of a student exhibitor?
You must be currently attending a college as a full time art student and send in your application with a $35 check made out to RSFAA or pay online.
2. How do I get into the show?
Fill out the student application in the student section on the website. Send a check in for $35 with the application. You do not need to send photos of your work, because the students bypass the jury, as well as the $400 booth fee.
3. What kind of artwork can I bring and not bring to the show?
ACCEPTABLE - You CAN bring: Watercolor, Mixed Media, Acrylic and oil painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking.
UNACCEPTABLE - You CAN NOT bring: Jewelry, pottery, anything functional, crafts, photography or reproductions.
Artists who bring unacceptable artwork will be asked to take their work down. If the artist has to be asked again, you will be asked to leave. If you’re not sure about something send us an e-mail and we will be happy to answer your questions.
4. Since the show runs twice a year, September and June, do I have to send an application and check in for every show?
Yes, you must re-apply and pay a $50 fee for each show and each student must pay the $50 application fee even if you are sharing a booth.
5. Does the show provide any equipment?
No. The show provides you only with a 10x10 foot space. Everything you put in it is up to you. Check out the "helpful links" section in the students link on our site. We give helpful information on all the equipment you will need and possible places to rent or buy. Plus some creative tips. Watch the student video for helpful tips from students who have don't the show before!
6. What do I need during the show?
All the full time artists on the outside of the Square have a tent. Most of the students will bring a tent. If you don’t have a tent, bring some sort of tarp set-up to protect your work if it rains because the show is rain or shine. Bring a chair to sit on and tables, if you want to display your artwork on them. If you bring a tent, you will need to weigh it down in case the wind starts blowing. The cheapest and easiest ways to do this are:
~Fill four milk gallon cartons up with water and tie them to the four corners of your tent.
~Fill four tubes of PVC piping with cement, allowing a looped screw to stick out at the end and bungee them to the four corners of your tent. ~Cement blocks tied to the legs of the tent.
Since your set up will be in the middle of the Square, you will have to carry everything from your car about 150 yards. Therefore, it is important to bring some sort of dolly or handcart to get your things around (or a bunch of friends). You can find a handcart online for around $30 and up or borrow one from your school or teacher. Your set up is your design and you can do it however you want. Watch the student video for more information and visuals of what other students have done.
LIST OF THINGS YOU WILL NEED TO SET UP YOUR DISPLAY:
1. Tent or tarp set up to protect artwork from rain.
2. Weights to weigh down the tent so it doesn't blow away. These are mandatory.
3. Display props: tables, chairs, string, display panels, etc.
4. Dolly or hand cart.
7. Can we leave our tent up overnight?
Yes, all the artists leave their tents overnight and zip them up, often with chairs and setup left inside. We provide overnight guards on the four corners on the square and one in the middle with the student tents. However, the show is not liable for any lost, broken, or stolen items left over night.
8. Do we leave our artwork in the tent overnight?
You can, but it is not recommended and the show is not liable for stolen or damaged property. We do provide guards that patrol the area at night but nothing is a guarantee.
9. Since this is an out door show, what do we do in the rain?
The Rittenhouse show is a rain or shine show, meaning we show in the rain too. So, it is important that you bring a tent or tarp to protect your work. You can find an EZ-UP tent online for around 100/150 dollars, you could borrow one from your school or a teacher, or you can rent one from a tent rental agency. Leaving early makes the show look bad and affects the artists around you, so please be courteous and stick out the weather with all of us. The penalty for leaving early in the rain or not showing up, is a 2-year suspension from the show.
10. What will it be like when I arrive?
When you arrive other artists will be setting up their work. You can arrive at 6:30 Thursday evening to set up your booth, or 9 o'clock Friday morning. You must be set up by 11am. When you walk to the center of the square, you will see chalked out lines with numbers in them. Your number will either be mailed to you, or it will be in your package you pick up at the information booth on the first day of the show. Some times you can pick your space if you are the first to arrive. There will be someone in the center helping the students with questions and concerns so look for someone with a name tag. Once you get your space set up, head home and get ready for the weekend.
11. When can I set up my tent?
There is an early set-up time Thursday night at 6:30 or you can set up starting at 9 Friday morning, but you must be completely set up at 11am. I would recommend setting up your tent on Thursday night, because Friday morning will be pretty crazy and every artist will be parked around the square, meaning you might have to drive around looking for a space. We only have a limited amount of time to park along the square Friday morning and once that time is up the parking authority will be ticketing. To avoid possible frustration, set up Thursday night. The times for set up will be sent out to you in a package a few weeks before the show. Again, make sure you park around the Square during our allotted times because you will get ticketed or towed if you are early or late.
12. Do I have to be there the whole time or can someone else watch the booth for me?
The artist of the work must be there the entire show.
13. Can I share a booth with someone else?
Yes! You can share a booth with your fellow art students... But each person must send in their own application and pay the $35 application fee.
14. If I share a booth with my other art student friends, do we each pay the $50 application fee?
Yes, each student pays the $50 dollar application fee. It is a processing fee, not a booth fee, because the juried booth fee is $400 and you bypass that.
15. What if I have to leave my tent to go to the restroom or get food and I am alone?
The show has volunteers who will walk around and ask if anyone needs a break. Since you are in the middle of the square, you will be right next to the information booth, where volunteers will be. Feel free to ask them to keep watch. Also, have fun and make friends with your artist neighbors! They will usually be happy to help you and making friends at shows opens doors for many other opportunities!
16. Where can I find restrooms?
We are allowed to use that bathrooms at the Art alliance at 251 South 18th Street. Ask at the information booth, if you need help finding them.
17. How can I sell my work?
However you want. You can take a check or cash. (Bring some cash for change) If you have a Smart phone you can download the app called SQUARE and sign up online. They will send you a device for free and you can take credit cards. https://squareup.com/
Do other searches online and find what works best for you.
18. Tips for doing the show:
-Make business cards - www.Vistaprint.com
-go to the "helpful links" section under 'students'
-Bring cash for change
-A cooler with some food and water
-A book to read
-Bring a friend to help
-Dress in layers. Be prepared for any weather with extra clothing.
-Bring a chair to sit in.
-Display your work professionally.
-Check out some of the artists websites and
-And smile!
