return on sponsorship report contents Uptown Art Fair 2 2017 Sponsors 3 Overview and History 4 2017 Art Fair Overview 5 – 15 Artists 5 Commemorative Artist and Print 5 Artist Awards 6 Performance Stage presented by GO Radio 7 Beer Gardens presented by Indeed Brewing Company 8 Food Vendors 8 Culinary Arts Competition presented by Kitchen Window 9 Subaru Family Imagination Station 10 New Horizon Academy Youth Art Fair 11 US Bank Community Possible Charitable Partners Tent 12 Metro Transit “Art Pass” 13 AAA Minneapolis Bike Valet 13 Recycling presented by Sons of Norway 14 VIP Hospitality 14 Uptown Information Booth presented by Stutsman Realty 15 Volunteers 15 Attendance Facts & Figures 16 Media Overview 17 Television Coverage & Examples 18 – 21 Print Coverage & Examples 22 – 23 Radio Coverage 24 Online Coverage & Examples 25 – 29 Social Media Report & Examples 30 – 31 Advertising Report & Examples 32 – 34 Newswire Coverage 35 On-site Impressions & Examples 36 – 38 Results and Outcomes 39 1 uptown art fair 2017 The vision of the Uptown Art Fair is to bring art to people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds; and to draw traffic and add vibrancy to Uptown Minneapolis. We foster an appreciation of the arts and provide a showcase and sales outlet for professional and amateur artists from around the country. Produced by the Uptown Association since 1973, the art fair is the Association’s primary fundraising event as well as economic engine for the community, generating revenue that pay for numerous local projects. In 2017, more than 379,000 people attended this nationally acclaimed, award-winning event that featured non-stop musical entertainment, one of the only youth art fairs in the state showcasing 80 talented young people, art activities for the entire family, fine food and refreshments from over 25 vendors, a culinary arts stage and a charitable partner program that highlights caring and giving organizations in our community The Uptown Art Fair is a labor of love made possible by hundreds of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors, the kindness of local businesses and those who support the arts. In our humble (and admittedly biased) opinion, it’s the best fair around. We hope you enjoyed your experience with us and look forward to partnering with us again in 2018 on August 3 – 5! 2 3 overview The Uptown Art Fair, now having celebrated its 54th year, takes over the commercial district in Uptown Minneapolis. What began as a neighborhood art sale just down the block from what is now Calhoun Square has developed into a nationally recognized event. The Uptown Art Fair caters to tourists, art enthusiasts, artists, and festival-goers from around the country. Over the years, proceeds from the Uptown Art Fair have funded bicycles for police officers, a 3-phase business marketing study, an environmental planting project, 46 bike racks, community graffiti clean-up events, an awards program honoring local businesses, art installations of utility boxes, networking opportunities for residents and businesses, and visitor maps just to name a few. history 55 years ago, a group of local businessmen and women in the Uptown Commercial Club tried to develop ways to increase traffic and draw more people to the core of Uptown. In the late 1950’s, the Uptown area had fallen on hard times so there was interest by area businesses and residents to regain the popularity of the past. One idea was an art fair and the Uptown Art Fair was born! The first Uptown Art Fair was held in 1964 and featured 146 artists selling their wares on folding tables on the sidewalk. It brought art into everyday life onto the streets of an urban neighborhood and brought increased attention to the business district in the Hennepin – Lake area. Throughout the 1960’s, Uptown continued to gain a reputation as an “artsy” neighborhood and the Art Fair added to that perception. In later years, the newly formed merchants association, the Uptown Association, took over the production of the event and new ideas emerged to make the event bigger and better. One key idea was to increase the quality of the show and attract new artists through the development of a jury system that required higher artist standards than before. Since then, the Uptown Art Fair has evolved into an internationally recognized 3 day fine arts festival and one of the top 10 fine arts festivals in the country. With over 440 vendors participating including; artists, food, and sponsors, and an attendance of 379,000 art enthusiasts enjoying the show in 2017, the event is the largest art fair in the state of Minnesota and second only to the Minnesota State Fair in number of attendees. 4 2017 art fair overview artists SELECTION PROCESS The Uptown Art Fair follows an arduous three-day jury process using a state-of-the-art online application and jury process called ZAPP™. Five highly knowledgeable artists, instructors, and experts in the industry comprise the jury panel that handpicks exhibitors after previewing projections of artist’s images on large screens. Only previous year’s award winners receive invitations to exhibit in the next year. In 2017 a total of 765 artists applied to exhibit in the Art Fair, with only approximately 340 spots available. As such, it is an honor to be invited to exhibit at the Uptown Art Fair. 2017 EXHIBITING ARTISTS This year’s exhibiting artists traveled from 32 states and 2 countries. A total of 111 exhibitors responded to our artist survey, reporting sales over $600k of art in 2017, averaging approximately $5,500 per artist. Artists share that the Uptown Art fair was their most successful event of the season and, in some cases, of their career. 2017 commemorative artist | nicole houff Each year, the Uptown Art Fair selects a commemorative artist to represent the quality and dedication our artists bring to the Art Fair. The 2017 selection was Nicole Houff, an 18-year Uptown Minneapolis resident, who has a self- proclaimed “mild obsession” with Barbie. She’s photographed the doll and cultural icon in more than 100 scenes, producing studio-quality prints that evoke whimsical, often satirical situations. An Uptown Art Fair award winner, Houff created an original photograph specifically for the 2017 Commemorative Poster. She put thought into the combination of what Uptown meant to her personally, and the iconic marquee of the Uptown Theatre. “I love that Barbie is a conversation starter. People come up and talk to me at my booth about what she means in today’s culture,” said Houff. I was greatly honored to be this year’s Uptown Art Fair commemorative artist and enjoyed having many conversations with fair goers.” 5 artist awards During the Art Fair, twelve expert judges representing each of the media fields select the 2017 Uptown Art Fair “Best of Show” and “Artists of Merit” winners. Winners of the “Best of Show” are honored at the Artist Brunch hosted by Cowboy Slim’s. A “Best of Best of Show” winner is also selected for special recognition and an additional cash prize. “Best of Show” winners in each media receives a $500 check recognizing their excellence, while the “Best of the Best” receives a $750 check. In addition, all “Best of Show” winners are invited to forego the 2018 application process and exhibit at the event free of fees in the location of their choice. Best of best of show best of show STEVE WEWERKA Photography | St. Paul, MN CHRISTINA SMITH 2-D Mixed Media | Fayetteville, AR LUKE PROCTOR 3-D Mixed Media | Mt. Horeb, WI ROBERTA POLFUS Ceramics | Oak Park, IL JEFF CONDON Drawing | Grand Rapids, MI BILLIE BARTHELEMY Fiber | Pinewood, MN WILLIAM ORTMAN Glass | Columbus, OH JOHN RUFF Jewelry | Springfield, MO WILLIAM McCARTHY Painting | Hamden, CT STEVE WEWERKA Photography | St. Paul, MN HOLLY FOSS Printmaking | Minneapolis, MN JEF RAASCH Sculpture | Milwaukee, WI Steve Wewerka Blue Boat PAUL GILLAM Wood | Timbo, AR ARTIST BRUNCH The 2017 Best of Show winners were announced and awarded on Saturday, August 5 at the Artist Brunch hosted by Cowboy Slim’s. Cowboy Slim’s located in the heart of Uptown provided an upscale breakfast as a thank you to exhibiting artists who also received monetary awards in each of 12 mediums. Slim’s is not only a favored destination for many but along with their other restaurant concepts, proudly supports many charities through their Cowboy Jack’s Foundation. 6 performance stage presented by GO RADIO The Go Radio Performance Stage featured a variety of performers from the Twin Cities’ diverse and thriving cultural scene. Our daytime acts located at the Lotus Uptown restaurant delighted music fans of all tastes from Thai, Swing and Irish dance troupes to the musical sounds of Indie Rock, Jazz and Reggae. 2017 performers Amazing Thai Dancers│ Dance Matthew Griswold│ Folk DeKam and Johnson│ Pop Jackson and the Roosters │ Americana Nick Eagon │ Alternative Rock │Vintage Vibe July Fighter │ Indie Rock Our evening bands on Friday and Saturday nights extended the Saving Vinyl City | Funk Pop musical experience to our guests while they enjoyed the nearby Bleeker | Alternative Rock beer garden. Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers │ Dance Dave Sandersfeld │ Indie Rock│ Soul Saving Vinyl City, a five piece funk pop band based out of Minneapolis featuring instruments that range from rock guitar all Sawyer’s Dream │Original Rock the way to brass kicked off the festivities on Friday. Following Saving Elle Casazza │ Soul/Jazz Vinyl City, was the alternative rock band from Canada, Bleeker. Wastrels │ Psychedelic Rock Based outside of Toronto, Bleeker has toured with multiple Sun Dragons │ Alternative headlining bands and brought their true rock ‘n roll spirit to the art Savage Moods │ Rock/Progressive fair stage.