Organizer's Corner

Calls for Talent

Calls For Talent

SPARKcon calls for talent will be online through our sponsor, Contactology. In addition to the online application, each SPARK is encouraged to create a hard copy call for talent. If you would like to use a call for talent option that is NOT Contactology, please discuss with your Bobblehead. It is so easy AND all the information will be already in a spreadsheet for you!

In order to get your call for talent online, please fill out the Call for Talent Template and return it to Sarah Corpron, sarah.corpron@visualartexchange.org. After your call for talent is live, we will send you the link so that you can post it to your SPARK’s page, send it out in an email to potential applicants, etc.

You can also use the Call for Talent Template as a guideline when creating the hard copy of your call for talent.

All forms must include the required fields (indicated with an asterisk). For additional fields make sure to adhere to the guidelines. Each SPARK will have different requirements and informational needs, so modify the form as needed to fit with your SPARK.

ALL calls for talent should also include a talent release and disclaimer. This will automatically be added by Sarah Corpron for any calls through Contactology, if you are creating a call via different means please include this information.

Contactology

Contactology is an email marketing and survey generating software. Through Contactology, all of the information from your call for talent will be catalogued and can be exported in an Excel spreadsheet. We think this will be a great tool for several reasons. It’s easy for applicants to use, cuts down on paper and reduces the amount of time your SPARK has to spend inputting your entries. In addition, contacts are added to the mailing list so future SPARK organizers can easily get in touch with them.

Through Contactology, we can create different types of questions. These are the basic question types:

  • Freeform response: The applicant types their information. We can limit the number of characters. Use this question type for a name, address, bio, etc.
  • Multiple choice: Applicant selects from a list of answers you have created.
  • Choose one: Applicant can choose only one response. You could use this question type to ask how the applicant will submit their images (option 1 might be on a CD, option 2 might be via email).
  • Choose multiple: Applicant can choose as many responses as they like. You could use this question type to ask what dates & times an applicant is available.

For most calls for talent, Sarah Corpron will take the form that your SPARK has filled out and turn it into a survey using the question types that fit most logically with the requested information. If your call is more complicated, Sarah will work with you directly to determine the survey format that works best.

Payment

You can charge a nominal entry fee ($5-10) per application. This makes sure your applicants are serious (and not spambots), and it can raise some money for your SPARK. For some SPARKs, it may make sense to charge a vendor fee rather than an entry fee, or you might charge both. For example bazaarSPARK might charge a $5 entry fee and a $45 vendor fee, the latter of which would only be for accepted entries and would cover tents, tables, etc.

We can set up a Paypal button for applicants to pay each SPARK’s entry fee. At the end of the application, the applicant will be redirected to a page with this button. Entry fees will then be earmarked for your SPARK, with a 10% administrative fee.

You can also provide the option for applicants to pay with cash, check or money order. All checks should be made out to SPARKcon or VAE with “xxxSPARK entry fee” on the memo line. Each SPARK will be responsible for tracking their entry fees and submitting checks to VAE.

Reporting

Your SPARK’s responses will be exported in an Excel spreadsheet and sent to you once a week on Wednesday. With your responses you will also receive copies of your Paypal receipts. Each SPARK will be in charge of tracking their entry fees and reporting to SPARKcon. A reconciliation form should also be created for entry fees (form will be provided to each SPARK).

 

Information needed for you Call

EVENT TIME & DATE*: day of week, calendar date, time range of event (start & end time)

EVENT LOCATION*: Include a physical address if possible.

EVENT DESCRIPTION*: Describe your event here. Include the necessary information, but be concise!

APPLICATION FEE: SPARKcon recommends a $5-10 fee to apply. We will create a Paypal button for applicants to pay each SPARK’s entry fee, and those fees will be earmarked for your SPARK.

VENDOR FEE: If you are charging a fee to participants once they have been selected, include that information here. For example, you might charge food vendors or bazaarSPARK vendors a vendor fee. These fees will be collected later.

APPLICATION TIMELINE*: Include the date and time applications are due (and whether or not that is a postmark deadline), date results will be posted, delivery/installation date(s) and time(s), and any other relevant dates.

SELECTION CRITERIA*: Explain selection criteria or participant intent for your event.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS*: Explain how and what applicants should submit and the expectations of the applicants for the actual event. You may want additional information such as a bio, resume, work samples (images, music files, etc). State EXACTLY what you need and that the application will not be returned.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Use this space for anything else the applicant should know.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION & QUESTIONS*: Include name, email address and/or phone number for questions about the guidelines. Also include physical address and/or email address for submitting application or application materials (such as image files, etc). It is best if the contact for questions is the same person who will be receiving entries. If you use Visual Art Exchange as the physical address for application drop off, please let VAE staff know so she can tell the other VAE staff. (VAE’s address is 325 Blake Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm and there is a mail slot for after hours delivery.)