Today we received an official notice from SNAG that the entry deadline for the Retro-Futurism show, part of the official Gallery Night Tour at the SNAG 2010 Conference, was being extended.
Extended deadlines are almost always a sign that the show is not receiving sufficient entries. This happens from time to time, and is not necessarily a notable issue in and of itself. What did catch our attention was the entry instructions Insurance/Security: “Artist is responsible for in transit and during the exhibition. Houston Community College is not responsible for damaged or stolen work.
Here was SNAG, the pre-eminent US metals organization, sponsoring a gallery at a national convention, engaging in what is widely regarded as worst/abusive practices.
The cherry on the cake – a $35 entry fee for the privilege of sending your work to a gallery that refuses to take any responsibility for it while in their possession.
Houston Community College should be ashamed of themselves for perpetuating such one-sided abusive practices. But SNAG!? You’re supposed to represent us. You’re supposed to be the champion of BEST practices, not sponsoring the worst.
Here’s the worst part. SNAG is not some anonymous bureaucracy, its US. The question is, what can we do to get our organization back on the right track?