Updated Fri, 05/29/2009 - 5:46am
Frequently Asked Questions for Artomatic 2009 Visitors
Frequently Asked Questions for Artomatic 2009 Participating Artists
What is Artomatic?
Artomatic is a month-long multimedia arts event that draws together visual artists, musicians and performers and brings their work to the community. Artomatic is free and open to everyone.
How do I get to Artomatic? Directions?
Artomatic 2009
55 M Street, SE
Washington D.C.
By Metro – The building is located atop the Navy Yard Metro Station; Ballpark exit
Visit the Directions page for a map and driving instructions.
How often is Artomatic held?
The first Artomatic was held in 1999. The next three events occurred at two year intervals (2000, 2002, 2004). Starting in 2007, the goal became to hold the event annually. The 2009 event will be held May 29-July 5 in SE Washington, D.C. This will be our 10th anniversary Artomatic, and our seventh event.
Artomatic 2009 opens May 29th and runs through July 5th. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
When is Artomatic open?
- Friday, May 29 – Sunday, July 5, 2009
- Wednesday noon – 10 pm
- Thursday noon – 10 pm
- Friday noon – 1 am (except for special events)
- Saturday noon – 1 am (except for special events)
- Sunday noon – 10 pm
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
What will I see when I visit Artomatic?
The Artomatic experience is different for every visitor. Hundreds of Visual Artists will have their work displayed for the duration of the event. It takes several visits to really experience it all.
Additionally, there are multiple music stages, a theatre space, dance space, a poetry room, a film room, and classrooms - all with busy schedules of events to engage, enchant or entertain visitors.
Open mics, performance art, fire dancing, burlesque, and much more also occur at Artomatic. Keep an eye on the schedule on our website and plan to visit more than once. You'll be glad you did!
Is there an entrance fee?
No. Artomatic is free to the public. Donations are, of course, always welcome.
Who are the artists that will be participating?
Artomatic is by artists, for everyone. The artists who participate primarily live and work in the D.C. area. You can plan your visit online by browsing through the Artist Catalog. At Artomatic (the event) there will be maps and listings of the artists.
How can I find out when a certain band is playing?
The Event Calendar on our website will be updated throughout the event so check back often to see what new performance have been added. There will also be performance schedules posted around the building and outside the stages.
What else is there for me to do at Artomatic?
Workshops. Lectures. Take a tour guided by a participating artist. Shop at The Marketplace. Children's programs on Saturdays.
I'd like to buy a piece of art hanging in Artomatic, how do I do that?
To purchase art, you will need to contact the artist directly. Please be aware that any art purchased during the event must stay on display at Artomatic until after we close. You must make delivery or pick up arrangements directly with the artist. To find artist contact information, visit the artist catalog and search by name. If they do not have contact information listed, try searching for their Web site online. Do not contact Artomatic to purchase art.
How can I become a part of Artomatic?
Want to be a part of the next Artomatic? Sign up to receive ArtoNews, the Artomatic e-newsletter, using the box on the left-hand side of this Web site. You will receive the announcement of when and where the next Artomatic will be -- as well as dates for registration -- as soon as the information becomes available.
Once registration opens, you can register as an artist and show your work or perform in Artomatic. You can sign up to volunteer and help build a stage, design a brochure, organize an event, host a workshop, or staff the show. There are many ways to become part of Artomatic and we'd love to have you join us!
Where will the next Artomatic be located?
Each Artomatic is selected based on the availability of a building and an owner interested in collaboration. We’ll make an announcement about the 2010 location when we have one.
Is Artomatic 2009 wheelchair accessible?
The Artomatic 2009 building has elevators and is accessible for those with wheelchairs.
Visual Artist FAQ
Registration
How much does it cost to participate in this Artomatic event?
Visual artists pay a $99 registration fee and contribute approximately 15 hours of your time.
When does registration begin? How do I register?
Registration is available online only on the Artomatic Web site. Registration opened on March 27 and will remain open until a predetermined number of artists have registered. All registrants after that will be put on a ‘Wait List’ until the number of available artist spaces is determined. Then, the Wait List will be invited to attend orientation and site selection.
Can my art class register and show together?
Artomatic is about individual artists. An essential part of the experience is the surprise of unexpected juxtapositions. Hence, no group registration. We have made only a very few exceptions—for a group of disabled artists and for a group of glass and ceramic artists with special requirements for display. Having said that, if you and your friends all register at close to the same time and get the same site selection time period, you can choose locations near each other. You can also note on your wall that there are other members of your group showing in Artomatic and indicate where they are. But please be open to the experience.
Can my friend and I share a space?
Artomatic is about individual artists, and group registrations -- multiple independent artists sharing one wall and registration fee -- are not allowed. Collaborations -- multiple artists creating a single unique piece or body of work – may register under the name of their collaboration, which will represent all of the artists contributing. We ask that each artist in a collaboration sign up for 3 volunteer shifts. All of the shifts will be scheduled under the collaboration name so be sure to note this on the sign-in sheet when each artist reports for their shift.
Event
When is Artomatic open?
May 29 – July 5, 2009
55 M Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
- Wednesdays and Thursdays Noon – 10 pm
- Fridays and Saturdays Noon – 1 am (except for special events)
- Sundays Noon – 10 pm
Will Artomatic staff always be present on the site?
There is no Artomatic hired "staff". All of the work is done by participating artists and other helpful people. We only pay for security, trash removal, and bathroom cleaning. There will be workers on site during all open hours, one of whom will be designated as the Gallery Manager and will be in charge.
If I sell my piece, does it have to stay up until the end of Artomatic, or can the buyer take it away with them? (Even if it is a small piece?)
To eliminate confusion and the possibility of theft, all artwork must stay in the building during the show. No artwork may leave before then, even if sold.
Will there be a published directory listing for locating artists? Online?
Yes. There will directories in the front lobby, on each floor, and online. The artist’s name and area will be listed.
How do I get there?
Artomatic will be held at 55 M Street, SE, Washington, DC. We’re in the new 9-story glass building at the corner of M Street and Half Street SE, one block north of Nationals Park and directly over the Ballpark exit of the Green Line’s Navy Yard Metro Station.
Where is parking? Will parking be affected by baseball games?
There is a parking garage for Artomatic in the building. The entrance is on the east side (opposite side from Half Street). We will have parking spaces available during baseball games, but event prices will be in effect. There is limited street parking, which may be non-existent during ballgames, as the Nationals stadium is a block from Artomatic. To see when the Nationals are playing at home, download a PDF of the team schedule.
Where is the nearest Metro station?
The Green Line’s Navy Yard Metro Station exits into our building.
Will food be served, or is it nearby, or do I need to bring my own breakfast/lunch/dinner?
There may be some food service at Artomatic during peak hours. Participants should bring their own food if needed. There is a McDonalds, 5 Guys, Subway, and a Starbucks within 3 blocks. Barracks Row and Eastern Market are about 1 mile away.
How safe is my art collection if I can't be there during all hours that Artomatic is open?
All of the work in Artomatic is there at the artist's risk. While we try to prevent art from being pilfered, and it has happened very rarely in the past, we can't guarantee that it won't ever happen again. We will ask you to sign a waiver when you register to ensure that you understand that Artomatic is not liable if your art is stolen or damaged. We have security personnel on-site at all times and all participating artists and volunteers are asked to keep an eye open toward suspicious activities while at Artomatic. We will also have security hangers available if you wish to attach these to your artwork. A demonstration will be given at Orientation and Site Selection.
How many artists will there be this year?
We expect over 1000 visual artists this year.
Can I do my own media, or is it being done centrally by Artomatic?
You can certainly do your own media if you wish, and each participant will be given cards to mail. Artomatic and the Capitol Riverfront BID will be doing lots of general press and public outreach promoting the event. There will be a press conference before the opening to announce the event and then another press party and special tour on opening day. Materials are being prepared by Artomatic and the BID — brochures, cards, and banners — and there will be some paid advertising. If you are a performer, you can submit your performance details to some of the many online event calendars for the D.C. area.
By participating in Artomatic, you agree that your art or performance may be photographed or filmed for marketing or publicity purposes.
What online resources are available for promoting myself and my art at Artomatic?
Once you register, you will be given access to a web page (My AOM) with the Artomatic logo and graphics, including a "Catch me at Artomatic" spinning logo for your website, as well as a PDF flyer and brochure which you can print and distribute.
Installation/Deinstallation
How much wall/floor space can I have?
Artomatic 2009 is in a brand new, and very raw, building. The entire building is very similar to Artomatic 2008. Volunteers will be building plywood partitions from which to hang 2-D artwork. Most artists will use a 12’x8’ or 8’x8’ section of these partitions. Core walls will contain a variety of wall sizes between 4’ and 12’. There will be plenty of space between and around these partitions for 3-D and installation works.
Volunteers will also being adding electricity to the entire building. We will provide overhead lighting and a wall-mounted lighting bracket on each partition. Brackets will not be provided for core wall spaces. Electrical plugs will be limited so please be cognizant of this when you plan your exhibit. All artists agree to limit their total power requirements (lights plus installation) to a maximum of 200 watts. Artomatic plans to have basic lighting fixtures available for purchase.
Can I show in more than one room?
Artomatic is about participation and cooperation. Each person gets one space that varies by the size of the wall or area in the building. That said, during this event, if there are ‘open spaces’ after any “waiting list” is addressed, there may be an opportunity to occupy extra space. The Event and Program Management committee will contact artists if this is a possibility.
Can I have someone help me install?
Certainly, as long as all installations stay within the Artomatic guidelines and rules.
What happens if I leave my artwork (or pedestals, ladder, lights, chair) after the end of Artomatic? Will someone else take it down and store it?
It is the artist’s responsibility to take everything that s/he brought into the building back out again during Deinstallation. Anything of value will be removed after Deinstallation, but no Artomatic volunteer, manager, or board member is responsible for what happens to artwork left in the building after Sunday, July 19.
Do I have to leave a deposit?
All installation artists will need to leave a $100 deposit check at the intake desk on site selection weekend. The deposit will be returned at Deinstallation after the artist’s area is broom clean. You’ve created an installation if you use materials (i.e., dirt, broken glass, empty beer cans) that may not have any value to you or Artomatic after the event is over.
Can I paint my area?
You may paint your PARTITION WALL any color you wish. You may NOT paint the floor, carpet, or walking surface in any way. You may NOT paint the CORE walls. You may NOT paint the ceiling or pillars in any way.
Can I hang from the ceiling or windows?
You may NOT hang anything for any ceiling tile, joist, hanger, pipe, wire, sill, window, or any other fixture.
Can I put a new carpet in my area or paint the floor?
You may bring in carpet, which you must remove after the show, but you may NOT paint the floor, carpet, or walking surface in any way.
What happens if I spill some paint?
Clean it up immediately the best you can.
Site Selection
When and how do I pick my space?
Site Selection Weekend is April 25 and 26, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm each day. When you register, you will be scheduled a date and time to attend orientation and select your space. All artists MUST attend orientation to participate in Artomatic. If you can’t come during your scheduled time, contact Registration@artomatic.org to schedule another appointment on Monday, April 27 or Tuesday April 28 at 5:00 pm only. Expect to be onsite for an hour or more.
Participation Commitment
How many hours do we have to work at Artomatic?
Each visual artist must contribute three shifts of time (approximately 15 hours) before, during, or after the show. Extra shifts are encouraged and the general public may volunteer as well.
Do I get to pick what hours I work? How is the scheduling done?
When you register online, after you pay, you will select your shifts from the online calendar. You may pick any shift that you want. Please be able to attend Artomatic on those days as swapping shifts after the fact is troublesome at times.
What kind of jobs does one have to do during those shifts? Can we pick what jobs we do?
During installation, you help artists as you can, keep the traffic moving, make sure nothing walks away; during the event, participants greet visitors and hand out maps, ask for donations, walk throughout the space to maintain a presence, answer questions, see that no art leaves, clean up, man the bar(s), take out the trash—whatever needs doing. The gallery manager will assign each participant in doing their job(s). Participants will usually rotate positions frequently during their shifts.
If I signed up for a specific time/task, what happens if I can't make it? (Things happen!)
Find a friend to fill your shift or find another artist to swap with. Have your replacement tell the Gallery Manager that they are substituting for you so you may get credit for your shift.
I have a bad _____ (back, arm, foot, etc) and cannot do any task that requires ____ (walking, lifting, sitting, standing,). Can I just pay more and not do time?
All artists must contribute their time to supporting the event. This is the only way the show will happen. The gallery manager will work with you in finding a suitable position.
Performance
Can performers charge admission to their show/act?
Performers may ‘pass the hat’ to collect funds for their group but actually charging for money ‘at the door’ is not allowed.
Collaboration
Performance is intending that registrants contact their discipline directly (e.g.,music@artomatic.org) at the completion of the registration process. A visual artist, for example, wishing to collaborate with a performer should also email the discipline-centric email address for their desired collaboration media. Performance email addresses include:
film@artomatic.org, music@artomatic.org, theatre@artomatic.org, poetry@artomatic.org, and dance@artomatic.org.)
Special events
Artomatic allows special events. However, because they may require extra volunteers, security, housekeeping, access or bar needs, all special events must be approved in advance by the Steering Committee and/or Board of Directors before booking. Special events include those that:
- take up more than one regular time slot on the calendar (such as an all-day poetry fest, multi-houred theme concert, etc.),
- are held while Artomatic is closed, or
- are major events that may require multiple committees to coordinate and promote.
To begin the special event approval process, e-mail the Steering Committee at steering@artomatic.org. If you are unsure whether your event requires approval, contact the Steering Committee. Unapproved special events may be removed from the Artomatic schedule.
