ARTISTS' INFORMATION

Here we hope to provide all the information you may need to help your exhibition.

If you are exhibiting for the first time, you might find our First Time Exhibitors’ Guide helpful.

THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL

You may see (or have already seen!) some changes with the Festival. We've re-branded and have a fresh website and have increased our presence on social media. The Festival in format is essentially unchanged, although we welcome more artists than previous years – which is very exciting! We have also launched a more significant events programme and have more catering outlets in the village, as well as other elements such as improved signage.

FIRST TIME EXHIBITORS

If you are exhibiting for the first time at the Festival, see our handy guidance, and join us for morning coffee at our 'First-time Exhibitor Welcome' event at the Church Hall, James Street, 8.30am on Saturday 3rd August. Just let us know if you can make it!

HELP & SUPPORT

Our staff are there to help you and the public with information, brochures and ticket sales. Our Festival Office at 47 High Street is open from July 15th, 10am-4pm (closed Wednesday and Sunday), then open daily from July 29th–August 11th, 9am-5pm.

Alternatively, email us on info@pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk, or call on 01333 313 109.

FESTIVAL PREVIEW NIGHT

The preview night is Friday 2nd August 7pm-9pm and is optional for all exhibiting artists. Our exhibiting artists often use this as an opportunity to engage with previous purchasers to allow them an exclusive preview and to secure the art early. Many artists offer refreshments, however please do bear in mind that drinking is not allowed on the streets of Pittenweem.

ARTISTS' EVENING

We always look forward to our free Artists' Evening, this year on Tuesday 6th August from 6.30pm at the Church Hall. It's a chance to meet other artists and the Board members, and to share your Festival experience. There will be a delicious buffet and drinks and of course our annual art quiz! The event is for registered artists only, however numbers are limited, so please let us know if you can attend.

VENUE NUMBER & BOARDS

Branded display boards with your venue number will be available to pick up just before the Festival begins. You can collect your board from Tuesday 23rd July from the Festival Office. Your exhibiting artist's board has your venue number and Festival logo; this shows you are exhibiting officially. Secure your board outside your venue and take it in overnight. You will also receive a brochure and an Artist Parking Card (see section on Parking).

ARTIST PROMOTION & SOCIAL MEDIA

The brochure and website include all of your details for visitors. With regards to venue promotion, we have increased our signage this year, to help visitors navigate more of the village. Please note that by law, A-boards must not obstruct the footpath for pedestrians, wheelchairs, prams etc.

You may have seen that we have increased our social media activity across several platforms - including Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. We have also promoted posts during the lead up to, and during, the Festival.

We'd love you to get more involved with our social media activity. We will provide branded social media templates for those that want to use them, and we will be developing lots of content for sharing. We will also share as many posts from our artists as possible - just be sure to use our social media hashtag #pittenweemartsfestival24

PARKING

As you may be aware, there is limited on-street parking during the Festival. We have special arrangements for Artists’ car parking to minimise congestion.

If you’re staying in Pittenweem, your accommodation should have a parking permit, but if not, you can get one from the Festival Office. Alternately, we provide exclusive space for our exhibiting artists within the main car park off Charles Street. You will receive an Artist's Parking Card that needs to be completed and displayed on your car dashboard.

The main Charles Street Car Park will open at 9:45am each morning.

CASH & PAYMENTS

You may have read our recent research that demonstrated visitors’ frustration with some venues not offering card payments, so having a payment device (such as Square or Zettle) is vital. These can also provide emailed receipts to your buyers. However, it is still helpful to hold a small cash float, for managing smaller purchases.

INSURANCE

Remember exhibitors are responsible for their own artwork insurance and need to have public liability insurance for a minimum of £2,000,000. Insurance has to be in place for the opening of your venue. If you are a member of any professional artist societies they may have discounted insurance schemes available. Remember to display Fire Exit signs in your venue (if appropriate) and have an exit plan in case of emergency.

ARTISTS' CODE OF CONDUCT

As an integral part of the East Neuk of Fife, it’s vital for us to help foster a respectful and harmonious relationship between the Festival organisers, the artists, the visitors and the local community. To this end, we have developed our Artists’ Code of Conduct (see below), and we ask that all our artists align with our new commitments.

AT THE END OF THE FESTIVAL

The last day of the Festival is Saturday 10th August - we hope you will have had a good week! After closing time, please return your venue board to the Festival Office by 7pm that day, or on Sunday 11th, 10am-5pm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here we have included some answers to questions our artists often have about various aspects of the Festival. If these don't answer your queries however, please get in touch.

Q: What are the Set up/Take Down arrangements for the Festival?

A: Information will be sent out nearer the event, however usually access to your information and venue boards are available from the Wednesday and all venues must be ready by 10am on the 3rd August, unless you are hosting a preview evening. Take-down can start at 5pm on the last day of the festival and boards must be returned by Sunday 11th August.

Q: How do I contact the Box Office? Who should I contact for any issues or advice?

A: The Festival Office is at 47 High Street. Here you can get information and support. You can also contact the Festival Office on 01333 313109, or at info@pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk

Q: What are the box office opening hours?

A: The Box Office is open between 9am and 5pm every day of the Festival.

Q: Will I be selling brochures in my venue?

A: Brochures will be sold primarily in the Car Park and at the Festival Office, however we would be delighted if you were able to take a small stock of brochures to sell in your venue, however this is purely optional. We will provide you with a can to collect cash from the transactions.

Q: How can I provide ideas and feedback to the Festival organisers?

A: We will be running artists’ research once again this year. We are very keen to get your feedback. In 2023 we received lots of helpful information and ideas, some of which has been implemented this year! Please complete the survey, and if you have any ideas in the meantime, please send them to info@pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk

Q: I'd love to exhibit at Pittenweem, but how do I find a venue?

A: The Festival does not curate the art, nor has a large stock of venues, and most are private arrangements between artists and venues. The best thing to do is visit the Festival during the week and speak to as many artists as possible to see if they know of any venues which may become available next year. It’s best to plan next year as soon as possible!

Q: What about artist talks and demonstrations – how can I participate in the events programme?

A: We did a call for artist talks and demonstrations earlier this year, if you haven’t already responded to our call-out for artist events, I'm afraid it is too late to feature these on our website or brochure.

Q: There are major Scottish Water works down by the harbour. Will they still be ongoing during the Festival?

A: We've been assured by Scottish Water that although the works will not be completed by the Festival, the work will be paused for a lot of the summer, allowing free access to the harbour area.

Q: Will you accept cards at the car park and for brochure sales?

A: Yes. We will accept card payments for both car parking and for brochure sales this year.

Q: Will the board be visiting artists this year?

A: Yes, we hope to visit all artists this year. Please be ready with any questions or suggestions for how to improve the Festival.

Q: Are there any specific rules or guidelines I should be aware of?

A: Artists are expected to adhere to the Festival's code of conduct (see below), which includes maintaining a professional demeanour, respecting fellow artists and visitors, and ensuring their venue is staffed at all times during opening hours. Please be particularly respectful to the residents of Pittenweem, whose life can be significantly disrupted by the Festival.