Exhibitors Information

EXHIBIT AT AAF25

Now in its 13th edition the AAF stands out for providing art galleries and professional artists an excellent opportunity to exhibit at an established art fair and engage with a large arts interested audience at Europe’s Energy Capitol. We welcome applications from art galleries and professional artists working in the specific areas of painting, printing (see below) sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewellery and furniture. Applying is straight forward as all we require is for you to complete the Exhibitors Application Form ( see below) and attach 5 images of the type of work that you would like to exhibit at the fair.

THE VENUE

The Aberdeen Music Hall has been the venue for the AAF since its inception. Located in the heart of Aberdeen’s city centre on Union Street it provides a welcoming bright and spacious setting following a multi-million pound renovation. Excellent on-site facilities include bar, café, storage, a wrapping service and close-by a superb range of shops restaurants and hotels.

EXHIBITION SPACE

The AAF exhibition stands are provided by one of Scotland’s leading exhibition stand suppliers. Exhibition stands are provided with no hidden extras and include the following:

• Flexible options of shell scheme or wooden stands
• Wi-fi
• Power supply
• Furniture including tables (4ft x 2ft) and a chair. (Tables are not supplied for Option 1 or 2)
• Gallery standard lighting
• PR assistance
• Fascia nameplate
• Hanging system (shell-scheme only)
• Storage facilities
• Wrapping service
• Stands can be paid for over two instalments
• Prices start from £695 plus vat for a 5 linear metre exhibition stand.

We appreciate that not all types of art lend themselves to an exhibition stand layout so please contact us to discuss your requirements aberdeenartfair@btinternet.com

EXHIBITOR APPLICATION FORM – Click here

The Application Form takes only a few minutes to complete. We also require 5 images of the type of work that you would like to exhibit. The organisers will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. The curation process will take approx. 30 days from receipt of your application. Please note that if your application is successful the organisers of the AAF,GM Events Ltd, will send you a deposit invoice of 20% of the exhibition stand price. There is no charge for applying.

AAF EXHIBITORS FLOOR PLAN – Click here

MARKETING and PR

Aberdeen Art Fair will be backed by a focused high profile marketing and PR campaign that will bring together the discerning art buyers, the contemporary art enthusiasts and the novice collectors. Its worth remembering that the population of the North-East is in the top three highest disposable incomes in the UK. With a buoyant economy that has a thirst for culture and a reputation for producing great artists with one of the most recognised art schools in the country, Gray’s School of Art.

Our schedule will include a high profile TV advertising campaign on STV, poster and banner advertising throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, inclusion into the Music Halls What’s On Guide, e-newsletters to our established visitor database, PR campaign targeting local and national media and AAF social media channels.

EVENT DATES and TIMES

• FRIDAY 1pm -5pm Exhibitor set-up
• FRIDAY 6pm-9pm Preview Evening for corporate and public visitors
• SATURDAY  & SUNDAY 10am-5pm Public opening
• SUNDAY 5pm Take down from close of show.

TERMS and CONDITIONS

• Exhibitors are prohibited from piling art on the exhibition stand floor. All work must be unwrapped and hung on the walls. Work can be presented in exhibitors own browsers. Secure storage facilities are available.
• Prints on sale must be authographic prints – that is involving the “hand of the artist” in their production. Mass produced reproductions even if high quality ink jet (giclee) or screenprint are not acceptable. (Editions up to 250 acceptable.) Artists & photographers working digitally can exhibit ‘giclee’ prints but they must be of the highest possible quality using proven colourfast inks high quality paper and of a limited edition.
• Artists cannot sublet their space or any part of it to another party without prior permission
• Artists cannot display the work or services of another party without prior permission
• If the event is cancelled we will return your deposit and stand fee in full but cannot be held liable for any additional expenses incurred.
• All stand fees must be paid in full by 1 July. If payment is not received in full by this date, unfortunately you will lose your allocated stand and 20% deposit. There will be no refunds paid if the exhibitor withdraws from the event after 1st of July.
• You are responsible for your own insurance of your work, public liability will be covered by GM Events for the overall running of the fair but we advise that you still have back up.
• All artwork must be displayed within the confines of the exhibition stand.
• All work displayed must be for sale.
• No artwork deemed to be offensive in nature will be allowed.
• A few cards and postcards can be displayed and sold but must not dominate – 3 or 4 designs max.
• An artist can only be represented at one exhibition stand throughout the art fair and therefore cannot be exhibited at multiple stands.
• Exhibitors are prohibited from selling or distributing alcohol at their exhibition stand.

WHAT OUR EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS SAY

‘Peacock have attended every Aberdeen Art Fair since the inaugural event at the Music Hall in 2010. Peacock, as a public arts organisation, have built longevity on cultivating partnerships are indebted to those events. They consistently provide an exceptional platform to sell contemporary art. We are afforded the opportunity of building new friendships and customers during and after each fair, this year was no exception. We look forward to attending the event again in Aberdeen in 2024.’ – David McCracken Arts Business Manager Peacock Visual Arts

‘Its been a real pleasure exhibiting at the AAF again this year. We have had so many lovely interactions with customers who have ( as always) made the event so memorable and special. Thanks so much for all the sales. Thank you also to the amazing organisers-your efforts to help run everything so smoothly are so very much appreciated.’ – Award winning artist  David Gilliver

‘Always a pleasure to be part of the AAF and this weekend didn’t disappoint. The Music Hall is a beautiful venue and provides the perfect setting for this fun friendly and relaxed art fair. We are delighted with the sales from the weekend and even happier to have met so many art loving customers. We look forward to seeing you again next year.‘ – A Heart of Glass.

The AAF was great for raising our profile and for meeting so many people genuinely interested in our artists work. Exceeded our expectations in terms of sales so we will be back next year without doubt. – Westburn Gallery

‘I enjoyed chatting to the exhibitors who were all very helpful in assisting with my selection of a  painting which was a present for my sister.‘ – T Nicol, Inverness

‘I attended on Sunday with the outside temperature being 24 degrees ,which I appreciate doesn’t happen too often. In my opinion the Music Hall needs proper air conditioning Apart from that im looking forward to next years fair.‘ – R . Greig, Aberdeen

‘Should have been open later at the weekend as I don’t finish work until 4pm. Pleased that its free especially in these times.‘ – Mrs S McKinnon, Aberdeen

‘Every stand was a delight. A proper and varied selection of contemporary art in our favourite location.’ –  J Freeman, Aberdeen

‘More selection over £10k please.’ – Pete ( no surname given).

DEADLINE
For deadline details email aberdeenartfair@btinternet.com

PRINTS
We welcome applications from printmakers and print studios.
Prints on sale must be authographic prints – that is involving the “hand of the artist” in their production. (original prints – editions of up to 250 acceptable.)

About the Organisers
The Aberdeen Art Fair is presented by GM Events Ltd who have offices in Aberdeen and Glasgow and whose Director Gerry Muldoon along with his colleagues have been delivering cultural events in Scotland for 20 years. The company has a reputation for delivering successful events and have worked in partnership with many private and public sector organisations such as Scottish Enterprise, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire Leader, Arts and Business Scotland and Royal Deeside and Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation.