Southwest Indian Art Fair 2013

February 23 & 24 on the Museum's Front Lawn

Rules of Artist Participation

General Rules of Participation

Arizona State Museum adheres to the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. In order for work to be displayed and sold at the Southwest Indian Art Fair (SWIAF), therefore, it must be Indian made.

Full, proper, and clear disclosure to the buying public must accompany the display/sale of work produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, pre-fabricated forms, imported, manufactured, or mass-produced items.

Members of a standards committee police the event to ensure compliance. The committee reserves the right to remove items not meeting the standards. An artist found to be in violation of the standards risks disqualification from the show and the loss of his/her entry fees.

“Traditional” objects and materials are considered to be those that have been used by a tribal group for at least two generations.

“Authentic to culture” objects are items whose origins lie within the culture’s history. Dream-catchers, for example, are not considered authentic to southwestern cultures.

“Trade goods” (such as glass trade-beads used in Navajo ghost beads) from many sources may now be considered traditional in many cultures.

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Specific Rules and Prohibitions

Artifacts: Prehistoric or culturally sensitive artifacts are not allowed.

Ceremonial Objects: Ceremonial objects are prohibited.

Endangered Species: Endangered species materials such as raptor feathers are not permitted.

Plastic: No plastics, fiberglass, or other non-traditional materials are allowed.

Baskets: All baskets must be hand worked and of natural fibers. Vegetal, mineral, and other natural dyes are encouraged. Attached materials are acceptable but must be properly identified and must comply with the same standards as those for jewelry. Traditional wire baskets are acceptable. Inclusion of wire as warp in natural fiber baskets must be disclosed.

Carvings/Sculpture: Carvings and sculpture must come from traditional tribal or natural materials.

Tribal Arts (bead, quill, leather work, drums, flutes, etc.): Plastic beads are not allowed. Commercially-tanned hide and commercial pigments must be labeled.

Dolls: Dolls of tribes other than of the artist's own are prohibited. Dolls must be made of materials traditional to the artist's registered tribal affiliation..

Jewelry: Only handmade jewelry may be sold. Hand-assembled jewelry consisting of commercially made materials is not allowed. Stabilized turquoise must be properly labeled. No block (epoxy resins and dye), fake, plastic, imitation, reconstituted, simulated, or synthetic stones; machine-made components; or purchased cast blanks (except for findings, which cannot exceed 10% of an object) can be used. No liquid silver or plated metals (except in the case of findings) are allowed.

Cast Jewelry: Cast jewelry editions of 50 or more pieces, or open-ended editions, will be considered mass-produced and ineligible for sale or awards. All editions must be hallmarked and numbered by the artist.

Fetishes: No non-American Indian made heishi or fetishes, or stamped fetishes, are allowed.

2 Dimensional Art (paintings, drawings, graphics, prints, and photography): Paintings, drawings, and graphics must be matted, framed, or shrink-wrapped. Paintings on canvas should be framed or have finished edges. Method of reproduction for prints and photographs must be clearly labeled. Images must be the artist's original work.

Pottery: Contemporary pottery forms are accepted. Commercial pottery, slip molds, or green ware are not acceptable. Kiln-fired pots and pots made or decorated with commercial materials must be properly identified.

Textiles and Weaving: Rugs, blankets, purses, and belts must be handmade, using traditional hand-tools, looms, and techniques. Natural fibers, yarns, and dyes are preferred. Synthetic (acrylic, nylon, polyester, other) yarns must be properly identified. Both traditional and contemporary designs are acceptable. Sewing machine work is acceptable. No commercially-made clothing, liquid embroidery, or products made from commercial kits or patterns are allowed.

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Exhibit Rules

Artists agree to display and sell their artwork during the full hours of the show. Artists leaving early must notify a staff member at the entrance. Failure to do this may result in disqualification from the next year’s SWIAF.

In addition, please note the requirements below. Artists who are accepted but then fail to comply with these rules will lose eligibility for the show.:

• Booth/table spaces are non-transferable.
• Artists may only display and sell their own hallmarked artwork, which was declared on the application and accepted. Selling artwork that has not been reviewed or accepted will result in disqualification.
• Artists are required to have their signature mark or stamp on file with Arizona State Museum.
• Booth/table areas will be inspected to ensure full compliance with all rules and regulations.
• Shared tables are available to interested artists who fully meet all of the following criteria:

1. Shared tables are limited to two artists per booth/table.
2. Both artists must be present throughout the full event, no exceptions.
3. Tables are limited to 3 chairs and 3 adults behind a shared table at any given time.
4. No artist may substitute another artist for a shared table without SWIAF approval.
5. Any payments made after the November 23, 2012 fees deadline will be subject to full late fee.
6. All other rules of payments and artist qualifications apply.

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Partial Payment Policy

SWIAF now accepts 50% partial payment of booth/table fees to reserve the space. All partial payments are non-refundable. If an artist has paid 50% of the fee, and is unable to pay the balance, no refund or credit will be made. If partial payment is made, the balance must be paid by November 23, 2012, to avoid an additional late fee.
Partial payments are not accepted for shared booth fees.
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Credit Card Payment of Booth/Table Fees
SWIAF accepts credit card payment for booth/table fees.  There is no additional cost to artists for this service.  To pay by credit card, invited artists must first submit the Adult Entry Form (sent with invitation).

• Credit card payments will not be taken until Adult Entry Form is received.  Artist acceptance into the event is contingent upon receipt of Adult Entry Form and processing credit card fee. 
• Credit card information must be called in before payment deadline to avoid late fees. 

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