The exhibition sponsor is responsible for informing artists fully before expecting a response regarding participation. If prizes are offered, these should be described. The identification and qualifications of the jurors should be enumerated. The exhibition sponsor should be responsible for the costs of mounting the show. Artists Equity is unalterably opposed to artists bearing the costs of exhibitions by payment of entry fees.
Many alternatives exist for financing shows.
A sponsor may charge admission and thus share the cost with the public, as is done in the performing arts. A sponsor may also obtain grants, either from Foundations, Arts Councils, or from interested members of the business community Arts organizations have found many ingenious ways of bearing these expenses, such as gala openings, sale of specially commissioned editions of prints, cash bars at openings, and the like. The sponsor may, in addition, recover costs by taking a commission from artists sales. This is a more equitable approach since it involves sharing the financial risks of the exhibition rather than putting the major burden upon artists. Insurance and Security Exhibition sponsors should assume responsibility for the safety of all work while it is in their keeping.