SHOW DETAILS

Location: Benefit Street between Waterman and Hopkins Streets (on RISD campus), Providence

Date + Time: Saturday, October 8 / 10am – 4pm

Parking + Transportation: Please note that we don’t have designated parking for participants on the day of the sale. There are some spots available on College Street, and there is street parking nearby, but check signs to make sure the time regulations are being followed and be sure not to block driveways. RISD parking lots are free and open to non-permit holders to use on weekends, but they fill up fast.

SET-UP + SALES

Your Booth: Booths are approximately 6-7 ft from the curb, and approximately 7-8 ft wide space on the street– but this is directly adjacent to your neighbor’s space. Please keep this in mind when planning displays, and don’t plan on using 8 ft of display materials to allow for some space between you and your neighbor.

Each space comes equipped with a 6 ft x 30 in x 30-inch table and two folding chairs. You may bring additional display material or furniture, but keep in mind that you need to stay within this space, and please do not encroach on your neighbor’s space.

You will be notified about booth assignments in September, and your booth number will be on the registration packet you will pick up at check-in. 

CLICK HERE FOR BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS

All participants must check in at the corner of Waterman and Benefit Street on the morning of the sale. There’s a simplified map of the street to the right.

Your Display: Your display is entirely up to you–although no covered tents are allowed–and bear in mind that your space is directly next to someone else’s space! Please do not bring display materials that span more than 7.5 ft horizontal.

Check out booth displays from past sales on our Facebook page! This is a street sale: please do not have items for sale on the sidewalks. If you put some storage on the edge of the sidewalk, make sure it isn’t blocking the entire thing. DO NOT hang items on fences, you will be asked to move them.

Making Sales: We encourage you to accept credit cards at the sale. Many mobile card readers now offer offline mode capabilities for your phone or tablet, which allows you to accept swiped card payments when Internet service or your connection is giving you trouble. You are able to use the RISD guest wifi on the day of the sale, but the network can get a bit crowded during RISD Weekend, so consider upping your data plan for the day if you need to in order to be prepared.  There is an ATM down the hill at the RISD store, but many a sale has been lost in the past when credit cards are not accepted and the potential buyer never returns. Check out Pay Pal here or Square to get started with mobile payment acceptance.

State of Rhode Island Sales Permits: Each vendor is required by the State to have a permit to make sales in Rhode Island, which we will coordinate for you if you do not have a permanent permit with the state. You will be prompted by the sales coordinator to submit a $10 check made out to “RI Tax Administrator” and will need to sign the permit the day of the sale.

Questions about Taxes? Most people won’t have to charge taxes, since Rhode Island has a tax exemption on artist-made goods. Exceptions include items mass-produced, if not limited edition or signed by the artist. For more information, check out our RI Tax resource page.

DAY OF DETAILS

We will decide to tent the street if it looks like inclement weather. If that happens we will email you alternative check-in instructions!

OTHERWISE, HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS THE DAY OF THE SALE:

• Check-in begins at 8am, at the corner of Benefit St. and Waterman St. We’ll have plenty of staff on hand to make this process as quick and painless as possible- just tell us your last name and we will grab your registration packet for you. If set-up is ready before 8am, you may be able to check-in a little early, but there are no guarantees! If you need a temporary RI sales permit for the day, you will need to sign your form before proceeding.
• Please listen to the staff as they advise you on where you can/cannot leave your vehicles if you are driving on the street to unload! You can drive directly onto Benefit Street until 9:15am, accessible only from Waterman St. You may encounter a Providence policeman telling you the street is closed- just tell them that you are unloading for the sale.
• When unloading at your booth, please park on the right side of the street and drive on the left. This is tight, but possible. Please move your car as soon as you’ve unloaded your work. Your car needs to be off the street by 9:30am, and your booth should be set up by 9:45am.
• You need to check in by 9am– if you are running late, let us know by phone call or text! At 9am, we will check for empty booths and offer them to waitlisted alums on standby. The sale technically starts at 10am, but people begin wandering onto the street by 9:45, so we urge you to have your space mostly set by this time.
• When you check in you’ll receive a registration packet in which you’ll find your booth number, reminders for the day, your name tags (please wear!), your temporary sales permit (if applicable), your sales reconciliation that must be turned in when you check out between 4-4:30 pm.
• The registered alumni artist must be present at the sale all day— sales representatives are not permitted in your place, although helpers are fine of course. Not only is this a sale an opportunity for you to show your work, but it is a RISD Community event where alumni and students have the chance to interact with each other and the public.
• We are open until 4pm! Keep in mind that you need to keep your booth open for the entire duration of the show.
• Remember to check-out with your completed sales reconciliation, name tags and laminated booth sign at an info table sometime between 4-4:30 pm. Failure to check out at the end of the day and turn in your sales reconciliation will result in being ineligible for next year’s sale- the RI Tax Administration requires us to collect information from you, and it will not be accepted late.

PROMOTION

Please help spread the word by sharing our Facebook Event or tagging your photos:
#RISDCraft #RISDalumni

You can also download the email header and logo and send promotional emails out to your own lists.

EXCELLING AT RISD CRAFT: Tips & Tricks

Stock Up on Promotional Items: Business cards, buttons, postcards and other fun materials are a great way to start the conversation with potential customers and give them something to take home and remember you by!

Gain More Fans: Include a mailing list sign-up at your booth or create signage that lets people know, clearly, who you are and how they might get in touch with you or follow you on social media.

Greet Your Potential Customers: This seems like a given, but people are usually looking to interact with the artist that created what they are looking at! Just a smile and a greeting allows potential customers to feel more comfortable about asking questions and finding out more– Looking at your phone or avoiding eye contact will put people off!

Enjoy the Day: Most artists’ priority is to sell a lot of work at the sale, but keep in mind that thousands of people walk the sale this day, and this is your chance to make a lasting impression that might lead to future contact or online sales, publicity or other opportunities. Some people take more time to buy art than others!

Be Prepared: We suggest bringing the following with you to help stay organized and energized on the day of the sale:

• pens, pencils, tape
• snacks and water (there will be food for purchase nearby)
• thermos of coffee/tea (it’s chilly in the morning!), plenty of water
• extra labels or pricing materials
• receipt book (some customers will want receipts, and this is also great for keeping track of your total sales for the day)
• table cloth,  flowers/display goodies
• business cards and/or sign up sheet for a mailing list
• Money! cash box with at least $100 worth of change (visit the bank Friday and bring plenty of small bills! Also consider: will you accept personal checks?)
• credit card reader
• packing materials (plastic bags, boxes, bubble wrap)- especially important if it rains
• comfortable shoes and layers (it’s often cold in the morning)
• sunscreen
• weights for display if you are selling light and/or paper items- the street can be windy!
• In Case of Inclement Weather: If it rains, we’ll put up a big tent, which covers the booths and a pedestrian walkway in the center. Be prepared with raincoats and boots and wear layers regardless! We have to make the call a few days before, and we always try to avoid putting up a tent if we can help it– it’s a good idea to have materials to help protect your work if it’s made of a weather sensitive material.

CONTACT

Contact RISD Craft coordinator at alumnisale@risd.edu.