sdai-ram-combo-logo.png
 

CALL FOR ARTISTS - REGIONAL ARTISTS MARKET

SDAI invites artists from throughout the Southern California and Baja California region to apply for our RAM (Regional Artists Market) program, a curated online market specializing in functional contemporary art that is responsive to the current environment. SDAI is seeking artists who are making functional objects with a contemporary art feel.

The products must be functional contemporary art that are responsive to the moment. Examples include, cards, bags, blankets, masks, scarves, jewelry, dinnerware, serving plates, woodworking, and ceramics. RAM is very focused on quality and wants the items to have an artisanal, one-of-a-kind feel to them.

Through RAM, we hope to build greater economic resiliency for artists and provide them with income, marketing support, and professional business development. 

Benefits to the artist:

  1. RAM provides a platform to sell your work. SDAI will work with you to develop the inventory and pricing. SDAI will setup the shop inventory and collect artist information.

  2. SDAI will offer the artist a two week feature on the SDAI and RAM websites, including a targeted email to our 10,000 subscribers. The feature will include the artist’s story and/or bio, information about their art practice, and/or a virtual studio visit. The artist will collaborate with SDAI to create the content and SDAI will produce the video.

  3. Artists receive 70% of every sale but are responsible for shipping every item, which will be paid by the store customer. 

  4. The artist is provided with marketing support on top of the feature and professional business development. 

Application 

Apply online at RAM Artist Application.  For more information, email RAM@sandiego-art.org.  

Overview  

Launched by the San Diego Art Institute in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Regional Artists Market (RAM) is a curated online marketplace specializing in functional contemporary art that is responsive to the current environment. In line with our commitment to presenting and supporting Art of the Moment, SDAI developed this program to help regional artists find outlets for their work while continuing to encourage collecting. Through RAM, SDAI builds greater economic resiliency for artists by providing them with income, marketing support, and professional business development. 70% of sales are returned directly to the artists. New artists are introduced monthly to offer a fresh shopping experience for RAM followers. More than half of our customers are outside of the San Diego region. 

Brand  

RAM items are contemporary, artisanal, quality products, and often limited edition or one-of-a-kind. Everything offered is tied in some way to artists’ reactions and reflections of our times and needs, i.e., Art of the Moment. RAM encourages artists to generate a new income source for themselves while stretching their practice. Most items on the site sell for $15 to $150. 

Artists 

RAM artists hail from widely diverse backgrounds. Most are Southern California and Northern Baja based contemporary artists. Others from outside the binational region are included to help bring diversity, novelty, variety, and new followers to the site.  

Artist Selection 

RAM’s curation comes from within SDAI. To be invited, artists have to be able to produce quality consumer products with a strong contemporary art feel. Other factors important in the selection process are an existing following, responsiveness to timelines, and economic need. All artists are provided with coaching in product development, business development, and marketing. Artists are offered up to a three-month run on RAM and the opportunity to extend their stay.

About SDAI 

The San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) is the premier regional contemporary arts center located in the heart of the historic Balboa Park and serves over 50,000 visitors each year. SDAI reaches communities throughout Southern California and throughout the world due to our regional focus and the global stage that Balboa Park provides. Our mission is to advance regional contemporary art and artists while fostering cultural equity through access to meaningful art experiences. SDAI has been a vibrant element of San Diego’s cultural history since its founding in 1941, the organization has grown into a space that values inclusivity and cultural awareness.