Staithes Festival FAQs
For more details, contact us on info@staithesfestival.com Keep up to date with the developing Festival programme by logging into our Facebook page and by clicking back here. We'll update this site as the programme is confirmed.
When is the festival?
Festival dates are to be confirmed (TBA).
We’ll update this page as soon as the programme and timings are confirmed.
What does it cost?
Registration fee is £250 for an artist not sharing a venue. If two artists are sharing, it's £150 per artist. If three or more artists are sharing, it's £100 per artist. Fees are paid on registering. Full-time students and full time Staithes residents (those living within five miles) don't pay the registration fee but we do ask for 10% commission of their takings. Commercial caterers and pop up tearooms pay £10% commission on their takings. The registration fee is vital for funding this year's and future festivals.
Visitors
Entry is free, and we’re proud to keep it that way. If you’ve enjoyed your visit, please consider popping a donation in one of the collection boxes around the village.
What do I get for my fee?
The fee buys artists a spot on the festival map used by all visitors to navigate their way around the village. It will include an image of their work, link to their website and number of their venue. We will be distributing thousands of programmes. Our website will also feature an image and an artist's biography, and receives thousands of hits before the festival. We will also be doing press around the event, so there's every chance any of the artists could be featured / picked up.
How do I pay?
You will be directed to the fee page fee when completing the online application. You will find all the details and a guide on how to register on the Online Registration page. Commission on sales for students and Staithes residents is 10% of takings and should be declared at the end of the festival via the emailed commission form. Money raised during the festival will go back into the pot to support next year’s festival. Surplus will be donated to community projects.
How does the Festival work?
Artists find their own gallery venue, either through friends in the village or by renting a cottage. We have a non-exhaustive list of properties and holiday companies on the Plan Your Visit page.
Please make sure you inform the venue owner that you will be using the venue as an artist as part of the festival. The festival cannot be held responsible for any venue hire arrangements or agreements.
Artists and venue owners must agree their own arrangements, including hire/lending terms, what will be shown and how it will be displayed.
We open the festival with a Friday evening preview 6-9pm, and galleries are open 10am–5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
What happens on the Friday Evening
The local preview evening runs 7pm–9pm. It’s usually a friendly, sociable start to the weekend, with bands playing, a real buzz around the village, and the perfect kick-off to a great weekend. It’s also a great chance to invite friends, colleagues, patrons and local residents to view your gallery.
Artists and venue owners are welcome to send invitations to their contacts and encourage early visitors (and potential buyers), but everyone is welcome to come along. A glass of something and a small nibble can add to the atmosphere, but there’s absolutely no obligation.
It’s up to the artist and venue owner to organise the preview however they wish.
Who chooses the art?
There is no selection procedure, this is an open festival. Artists who wish to exhibit must register via the website and pay the registration fee.
How do I find a venue?
Artists should find their own venue before applying to the festival. Contact cottage owners as soon as possible, or make contact through holiday websites.
Who curates the exhibitions?
It is for the artist to ensure the gallery is manned throughout the festival. Normally they will look after their own show. If venue owners are there, they may agree to stand-in from time to time, but there is no obligation. Some artists bring friends to help so they can have a peek in other galleries.
Do other festivals work the same way?
Yes. Our inspiration is Pittenweem in Fife, Scotland. Like Staithes, Pittenweem is a fishing village with a collection of small cottages. They began with a few houses opening as galleries and now have over 100 artists exhibiting in private and public buildings making a valuable contribution to the economy and profile of the village. Other festivals operate on similar lines, including the Buxton Festival Fringe.
What about insurance?
Artists and cottage owners are required to have their own public liability insurance. We may ask to see your insurance certificate. The festival takes out £5m PLI for £5m which does not cover galleries or artists' work. Venue owners may wish to inform their own insurers about the festival. We understand insurers respond differently. Some are just happy to be informed, some will ask for an additional premium to cover the weekend, others will not want to insure at all.
How do I contact the Festival organisers?
During the festival, the festival office (HQ1) will be very visible in the High Street. If you wish to contact us prior to the festival, email info@staithesfestival.com
Must all entries be through the website?
Yes. We have now established a simple online registration system and all entries should be made online. If you have a problem with this contact info@staithesfestival.com Artists failing to register will not be considered part of the festival.
How can I find out what’s on?
As artists register and we confirm speakers and events, these will appear on our website and our Facebook page.
Where can I find a programme?
The festival programme with artists, maps and events, will be available for £3 as an online download and from our HQs in the village during the festival. Stewards will be on duty at the top and bottom of the village with programmes. The £3 fee goes towards festival funds.
I'm a busker and would like a pitch, how do I find one?
There will be designated pitches for music/entertainers. These will last for no longer than an hour. All buskers must register with the festival - contact Chris Wade at chris.wade@adastra-music.co.uk