I have spent the greater part of the day trailing between places which I expected (or at least hoped) would be willing to carry posters advertising my forthcoming “Almscliff” exhibition. The result has been a mixed success, but overall worthwhile. I did wonder whether shops selling walking and climbing equipment might be willing to help, but they never have the facilities to display posters. One the other hand climbing walls have been uniformly enthusiastic. I was surprised to discover a large bookshop with a permanent facility for the display of local events. The civic information office is being exceptionally helpful.
The biggest negative response has come from libraries, to my surprise, as I expected that they would be keen to promote local cultural events. The response I received, however, was that they will not display publicity for events where the sale of things for profit is part of the plan. My response to this has been combative, and I’ve written to the city librarian about it. Can you think of any cultural event where it would not be likely that material is on sale? A small poetry reading will, in all probability, offer the chance to buy the poet’s work. Even if, in an exhibition of art, the work on display is not for sale (as in the exhibitions I’ve put on in cathedrals) it is usual for there to be a catalogue available, and even more commonly, post-cards or greetings cards of the artist’s work. An institution you might expect to be at the heart of the promotion of local culture (the library) is actually placing obstacles in the way! It’s absurd! It will be interesting to see how the Librarian replies (if at all.)
It has often surprised me to discover how little effort artists expect to put in to promote their work. If you are part of the upper storey of art, and have an agent, then I suppose that is what agents are fo. Most of us, however, are not in that position, and we really ought to be more willing to put ourselves forward.