Market Artist Application & FAQs
✨ Interested in joining our Shop?
Please take a moment to read the information below so you’ll know how our process works and what we’re looking for. After reviewing, if you feel it’s a good fit, click this link to complete the application: >> CLICK HERE
🎨 Local Artist Gift Shop — Artist Guidelines
Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts (MWCA)
💛 A Note of Appreciation
We truly value our shop artists. MWCA is a nonprofit with lower commission rates than most art centers and exceptional pop-up and promotional opportunities. We actively promote our artists through events, outreach, and constant innovation.
Because we are a nonprofit, we occasionally ask for artist support—such as volunteering or sharing our posts. This shared effort helps keep our shop vibrant and successful for everyone. We’re grateful you’re part of our creative community.
⚠️ Please Read Before Applying
Our shop is nearly full.
Applications are carefully reviewed and accepted only if the work fills a unique niche not currently represented. Otherwise, artists are placed on a waitlist.
We curate for:
Review timeline: 2–4 weeks
Membership: Required if accepted
>>> You must use the official APPLICATION FORM to submit photos of your work.
🎄 Christmas Shop (Nov–Dec)
This is a separate, juried application for booth-style seasonal sales.
📝 Market Artist Application Basics
Membership
All new shop artists are reviewed by the Shop Committee based on:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Not Accepted?
This decision reflects shop balance and market fit, not artistic ability.
You’re welcome to reapply later—and we strongly encourage entering MWCA Gallery Shows.
👉 Gallery shows:
If You're Approved…
📄 Artist Bio Required
Please email a short bio to [email protected] for display in the shop.
What Sells Best?
🏷️ Tagging Your Work
💰 Money Matters
Pricing Guidelines
Affordable pricing sells best. Most shop artists do not recoup time in a retail setting.
Typical ranges:
Create what people want and price what people will pay.
Keeping Sales Strong
What Does “Refresh” Mean?
Payment & Commission
Checks:
📊 Inventory, Taxes & 1099s (Important)
Here is a clear, concise overview of how inventory tracking and tax reporting work in our gift shop.
If you have questions beyond this, please consult your own tax advisor.
Inventory & Sales Records
MWCA provides payment summaries for consignment sales.
Due to the volume of artists and items in our shop, individualized inventory codes, item titles, or detailed descriptions are not tracked or reported in our sales system.
Tax Reporting (1099s)
Gift shops are generally not required to issue 1099 forms for the purchase of merchandise.
However, payments for services rendered (such as teaching, instruction, or professional services) may require 1099 reporting. MWCA does issue 1099s to instructors, as instructors are paid for services.
Artist Responsibility
Artists are solely responsible for:
👥 Private Shop Artist Facebook Group
All shop artists must join our Private Facebook Group.
This is where we share:
🌟 Special Opportunities
🚨 Required Artist Covenants
All Market Artists must read and agree to our Artist Covenants
👉 Read and agree HERE
These guidelines exist to protect our artists, our customers, and the integrity of the shop. Please read carefully before applying or bringing in work.
Please take a moment to read the information below so you’ll know how our process works and what we’re looking for. After reviewing, if you feel it’s a good fit, click this link to complete the application: >> CLICK HERE
🎨 Local Artist Gift Shop — Artist Guidelines
Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts (MWCA)
💛 A Note of Appreciation
We truly value our shop artists. MWCA is a nonprofit with lower commission rates than most art centers and exceptional pop-up and promotional opportunities. We actively promote our artists through events, outreach, and constant innovation.
Because we are a nonprofit, we occasionally ask for artist support—such as volunteering or sharing our posts. This shared effort helps keep our shop vibrant and successful for everyone. We’re grateful you’re part of our creative community.
⚠️ Please Read Before Applying
Our shop is nearly full.
Applications are carefully reviewed and accepted only if the work fills a unique niche not currently represented. Otherwise, artists are placed on a waitlist.
We curate for:
- Originality & craftsmanship
- Overall quality
- Appropriate pricing
- Fit with community interests
- Balanced variety (not duplication)
Review timeline: 2–4 weeks
Membership: Required if accepted
>>> You must use the official APPLICATION FORM to submit photos of your work.
🎄 Christmas Shop (Nov–Dec)
This is a separate, juried application for booth-style seasonal sales.
- Jury decisions made by August
- 2025 selections are complete
- 2026 application opens April 1, 2026
📝 Market Artist Application Basics
Membership
- Artists must be current MWCA members
- You may apply first; membership is required before bringing in work
All new shop artists are reviewed by the Shop Committee based on:
- Craftsmanship & quality
- Reasonable pricing
- Inventory balance
(Pottery and jewelry are highly selective due to volume.)
- All items must be made by you
- No resale or mass-produced goods
- No copyrighted images, patterns, or “personal use only” materials
- Items violating copyright cannot be sold
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Not Accepted?
This decision reflects shop balance and market fit, not artistic ability.
You’re welcome to reapply later—and we strongly encourage entering MWCA Gallery Shows.
👉 Gallery shows:
- Attract buyers specifically shopping for art
- Frequently sell work in the $200–$600 range
- Build visibility and collector relationships
- 👉 Learn more about our Gallery Shows HERE
If You're Approved…
- You’ll be notified by the Director
- Schedule an appointment and bring approved work within 2 weeks
- Initial approval is typically 3–4 pieces (more for small items)
- First year = probationary period with ongoing curation
- New work types must be approved before adding. Stay in your lane!
- Artists are expected to refresh monthly and help promote MWCA
📄 Artist Bio Required
Please email a short bio to [email protected] for display in the shop.
What Sells Best?
- Affordable, giftable items (“smalls”)
- Seasonal & holiday pieces
- Functional + decorative work (mugs, jewelry, ornaments, cards)
🏷️ Tagging Your Work
- Each artist receives a unique code
- All items must be tagged with:
- Artist code
- Price
- Tags must be secure and readable
💰 Money Matters
Pricing Guidelines
Affordable pricing sells best. Most shop artists do not recoup time in a retail setting.
Typical ranges:
- Small works: $10–$40
- Most items: $1–$100
- Large works: $100–$200 (rarely higher)
- Average item sold: $17–$20
- 300+ items sold monthly
Create what people want and price what people will pay.
Keeping Sales Strong
- Add new items monthly
- Remove items unsold after 2–3 months
- Rotate seasonally
- Promote your work and MWCA on social media
What Does “Refresh” Mean?
- Tidy and organize your area
- Swap seasonal items
- Add new work regularly
- Cycle out slow sellers
Payment & Commission
- No rental fee
- 75% artist / 25% MWCA
- MWCA covers bags, fees, processing & accounting
- Percentage reviewed annually (with notice)
Checks:
- Ready by the 10th of each month
- Email notification sent when ready
📊 Inventory, Taxes & 1099s (Important)
Here is a clear, concise overview of how inventory tracking and tax reporting work in our gift shop.
If you have questions beyond this, please consult your own tax advisor.
Inventory & Sales Records
MWCA provides payment summaries for consignment sales.
Due to the volume of artists and items in our shop, individualized inventory codes, item titles, or detailed descriptions are not tracked or reported in our sales system.
- Exception: Some artists use our round neon labels with a personal inventory code. When applicable, that code may be noted at the time of sale as a courtesy. This is not a guaranteed or comprehensive inventory record.
Tax Reporting (1099s)
Gift shops are generally not required to issue 1099 forms for the purchase of merchandise.
- According to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, payments for merchandise or inventory are exempt from 1099 reporting.
- This means that when a gift shop pays a vendor or consignor for merchandise sold, a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC is not required.
However, payments for services rendered (such as teaching, instruction, or professional services) may require 1099 reporting. MWCA does issue 1099s to instructors, as instructors are paid for services.
Artist Responsibility
Artists are solely responsible for:
- Tracking their own inventory
- Maintaining tax and accounting records
- Reporting income in accordance with state and federal requirements
👥 Private Shop Artist Facebook Group
All shop artists must join our Private Facebook Group.
This is where we share:
- Shop updates
- Event opportunities
- Festival booths
- Important announcements
🌟 Special Opportunities
- Festival Booths: $15 + 10% of sales (cap $65) -- percentage is reviewed annually and may be adjusted, with notice
- Pop-Ups: Host here or at partner locations; 10% of sales -- ditto above
🚨 Required Artist Covenants
All Market Artists must read and agree to our Artist Covenants
👉 Read and agree HERE
These guidelines exist to protect our artists, our customers, and the integrity of the shop. Please read carefully before applying or bringing in work.
