By Beth Sluys
As a recent transplant to Madison, I was excited to learn about the Gallery Nights organized by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) each spring and fall. Gallery Night offers art lovers and art novices alike an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of exhibitions, opening receptions, special events and demonstrations at venues throughout the city. Hours are generally 5‒9 pm.
Gallery Night is an excellent opportunity to promote your organization and emphasize your support for the arts while reaching a large and diverse audience. The event offers promotional exposure for participating venues and fosters excitement for the Madison arts scene, while highlighting its many unique members and showcasing area businesses.
To my surprise, only two Northside businesses participated in the Oct. 6 Gallery Night. I know we have many artists, writers and musicians on the Northside, and I am interested in creating connections between art and venue. Now is the time to reach out to an artist and offer to share your space. If you start now, you will be ready to apply by March 1, 2018, when applications are due. Collaborations take time.
Community organizations, businesses, galleries, boutiques and studios are invited to apply. All venues must place an emphasis on showing original artwork in their space on Gallery Night. Participating venues are responsible for coordinating programming and featured artwork for their unique event and they often plan talks, demonstrations or live entertainment to complement the visual art on display. Individual artists who need a venue, and area businesses without art who are interested in participating, are encouraged to collaborate. Reach out to a local artist and begin planning to host an exhibit in your business or organization next spring.
By participating in Gallery Night, your organization will benefit from a comprehensive promotional campaign, including:
- Prominent listing in the Gallery Night brochure mailed to some 2,000 MMoCA members and distributed to all participating venues
- Listing in a full page ad in Isthmus
- Listing on MMoCA’s website, which also includes an interactive map of participating venues
- Inclusion in a press release sent to dozens of local print, radio and TV media outlets
- Posters throughout the city.
Spring Gallery Night is Friday, May 4, 2018; the deadline for registration is Thursday, March 1. The registration fee is $175. For more information, visit the MMoCA website at MMOCA.org/gallery-night or contact Kaitlin at kaitlin@mmoca.org or 257-0158 ext. 224.