Contract for the Buenaventura Art Center/Gallery
Location: Buenaventura Art Center/Gallery,
www.BuenaventuraArtAssociation.org1559 Spinnaker Dr., Suite 101-B, Ventura Harbor Village, Ventura, CA 93001
Mission Statement
The Buenaventura Art Association works to connect the community to artists, connect artists
to each other, and help artists learn and grow.
The Art Center/Gallery serves artists and the public by providing a welcoming space for both,
while encouraging appreciation of and participation in the fine arts.
Purpose of the Art Center/Gallery
The Buenaventura Art Center/Gallery is an arts enterprise of the Buenaventura Art
Association. As part of BAA’s mission, the Art Center/Gallery gives member artists the
opportunity to exhibit and sell their work, test the marketability of their art, improve retail and
presentation skills, participate in community arts programming, and promote the skilled and
diverse art produced by local artists.
The Art Center/Gallery may include original artwork by BAA member artists; solo artist walls;
member exhibition walls; artisan and fine craft displays; prints, cards, jewelry, ceramics,
clothing, and other handmade or artist-designed items; classes, workshops, demonstrations,
salons, and public-facing programs that connect artists with the community.
Programming exhibits in the Art Center/Gallery Space
The number of participating artists and available display spaces may vary depending on
space, programming needs, financial considerations, display quality, volunteer coverage, and
diversity of artwork and products offered.
Each artist’s display area will be determined by BAA based on curated available space, visual
balance, professional presentation, and the needs of the Art Center/Gallery. Exhibit space
may include themed displays and approved outdoor or courtyard events. Artists may be
asked to bring in more or less work in order to maintain attractive, professional, and balanced
displays.
Commission
For sales made through the Buenaventura Art Center/Gallery:
• The artist will receive 70% of the sale price.
• BAA will retain 30% of the sale price.
BAA’s 30% commission supports rent, Ventura Port District fees, staffing, administration,
utilities, insurance, programs, promotion, supplies, operations, and the broader mission of the
Buenaventura Art Association.
Artist payments will generally be made between the 10th and 15th of the following month for
the previous month’s sales, along with an itemized list of sales when available.
Participation Fees and Hosting
Some display opportunities may require a monthly participation fee, wall fee, artisan display
fee, or other approved participation fee. The amount will depend on the type of display
opportunity, available space, Art Center/Gallery expenses, and Board-approved policies.
All required fees must be paid on time in order for the artist to remain in good standing. Late
payment may result in a late fee, suspension of display privileges, or removal from
participation.
Participating artists may be required to host, volunteer, or otherwise support Art
Center/Gallery operations depending on their level of participation.
Required shifts, will be assigned or scheduled according to Art Center/Gallery needs.
Policies and Procedures
1) Application and Acceptance of Participating Artists
Participation in the Art Center/Gallery requires active BAA membership unless otherwise
approved by the BAA Board of Directors.
Artists may be juried, reviewed, or accepted according to BAA policies and the needs of the
Art Center/Gallery. Factors considered may include quality, originality, professional
presentation, suitability, family-friendly content, diversity of media and products, available
space, past BAA participation, willingness to follow procedures, and volunteer support of the
Art Center/Gallery.
BAA reserves the right to accept, decline, rotate, or remove artwork or art products at its
discretion.
2) Original, Unique, and Local Work
All artwork and art products displayed in the Art Center/Gallery must be based on the original
designs, artwork, or handwork of the participating artist.
Handmade, hand-assembled, artist-designed, or artist-altered items may be accepted when
consistent with the mission and standards of the Art Center/Gallery.
If an artist wishes to include items sold to benefit a charity, those items must be approved in
advance. All fees still apply. The charity should be clearly described, and the items should
remain a smaller part of the artist’s overall display unless otherwise approved.
3) Cooperative Model
The Art Center/Gallery operates as a cooperative, mission-driven BAA program under the
oversight of the BAA Board of Directors and BAA leadership.
Participating artists are expected to support the success of the Art Center/Gallery by helping
create a professional, welcoming, and positive environment. This may include helping present
the gallery professionally, keeping display areas attractive and current, participating in
assigned volunteer or hosting responsibilities, promoting BAA events when appropriate,
supporting fellow artists, encouraging public engagement, helping with events,
communicating respectfully, and following BAA policies and procedures.
Positive Communication
Successful collaboration requires positive and respectful communication. Participating artists
agree to check email regularly, respond when requested, communicate respectfully with BAA
leadership, staff, volunteers, artists, and the public, avoid personal attacks or hostile group
messages, use constructive communication when concerns arise, avoid excessive “reply all”
emails, and help resolve problems professionally.
Disagreements may occur, but artists are expected to express concerns respectfully and
work toward constructive solutions.
Positive Participation
Participating artists agree to attend meetings as needed or reasonably required, follow
through on assigned responsibilities, maintain tasteful and professional displays, treat others
respectfully, represent BAA positively, and support the Art Center/Gallery as a shared
community arts space.
Repeated failure to participate, communicate, pay required fees, follow procedures, or
maintain a professional attitude may result in removal from the Art Center/Gallery program.
BAA Leadership and Staff Responsibilities
BAA leadership and staff responsibilities may include oversight of the Art Center/ Gallery
under the direction of the BAA Board; coordination with Ventura Harbor Village management,
maintenance, and marketing; communication with participating artists; promotion of Art
Center/Gallery opportunities to BAA members; accounting and reporting related to sales,
commissions, and participation fees; support for exhibits, classes, workshops, salons,
openings, and community events; and reporting to the BAA Board as needed.
The Administrative Director, Art Center/Gallery Director, President, Treasurer, committees,
and volunteers may share responsibilities according to BAA’s approved structure and
available staffing.
4) Hosting and Volunteer Responsibilities
Each member with a solo-wall must host approximately 6x per month. Members participating
in exhibits or the artisan store must host approximately 2x per month. Other participation
opportunities may have corresponding hosting requirements.
Sign up will be through SignUp Genius. If there are unexpected absences, members
sometimes have to host more often. If an artist repeatedly fails to fulfill required hosting or
volunteer responsibilities for two consecutive months, participation may be reviewed,
suspended, or terminated.
Hosting and volunteer responsibilities may include greeting visitors, answering basic
questions, encouraging sales and public engagement, helping keep the gallery clean and
visitor-ready, supporting openings, receptions, classes, workshops, or events, assisting with
display maintenance, helping with intake, pickup, labels, or basic gallery tasks, and promoting
a welcoming professional environment.
5) Period of Commitment
Participation terms may vary depending on the type of display opportunity. Some
opportunities may be annually contracted while others are short-term group exhibits, 3-month
seasonal artisan store space, or based on a specific exhibition or program. Specific policies
apply for the premature ending of a participation agreement depending on the length and
nature of the commitment.
BAA may remove an artist from participation for failure to follow policies, failure to pay fees,
failure to fulfill obligations, inappropriate conduct, or other reasons determined by BAA
leadership or the Board.
6) Labeling and Packaging
All artwork and art products must be clearly labeled and professionally presented.
Labels and Tags: At minimum, each label or tag must include the artist’s first and last name,
price, and any required inventory or tracking information requested by BAA. Labels are BAA
standard format, must be legible, and must be securely attached to the item or displayed
clearly near the item.
Packaging: Artists are responsible for appropriate packaging when needed. Bin art must be
covered with protective wrapping and include hard backing such as cardboard or foam core.
Cards must be wrapped individually or in approved packs. Jewelry must be attractively
displayed or packaged. Three-dimensional artwork must include appropriate packaging or
handling instructions when needed. Fragile work must be clearly identified and safely
displayed.
BAA may ask artists to improve packaging, labeling, or presentation before work is accepted
for display, especially where space is limited, including pedestal displays, wall-mounted glass
shelves, artisan store shelves, card racks, or other shared display areas.
7) Display Space
BAA will determine display placement and space allocation based on available gallery space,
size and type of artwork, visual balance, safety, professional presentation, program needs,
sales potential, diversity of media, and fairness to participating artists.
There is no guaranteed exact quantity of work each artist may display unless specifically
stated in a separate agreement. Artists may not allow their work to intrude into another artist’s
display area or block another artist’s work in a shared space.
BAA reserves the right to move, rearrange, rotate, or remove artwork or products as needed
for the benefit of the overall gallery presentation.
If an artist’s work sells little or nothing over a reasonable period of time, BAA may review the
artist’s products, pricing, presentation, display location, or suitability for the Art Center/Gallery.
BAA may suggest changes to product selection, pricing, framing, packaging, display quality,
labels, presentation, quantity of work, or type of work included. If changes are recommended
and sales or presentation do not improve, or if the artist declines to cooperate with
reasonable recommendations, BAA may rotate or end the artist’s participation.
8) Family-Friendly Requirement
All artwork and art products displayed in the Art Center/Gallery must be family-friendly due to
the public nature of Ventura Harbor Village and the wide range of visitors, including children
and families.
BAA reserves the right to decline or remove artwork it determines is not appropriate for the
Art Center/Gallery setting.
9) Additional Sales Information
Artists agree to follow all BAA sales procedures, including proper labeling, accurate pricing,
inventory forms when required, sales tracking procedures, use of BAA’s point-of-sale system,
required paperwork for sold items, and timely updates when artwork is removed, replaced, or
sold outside the gallery.
Artists may not remove or replace displayed work without following BAA procedures. BAA is
not responsible for errors caused by incomplete labels, missing inventory information, unclear
pricing, or failure to follow procedures.
10) Liability
As a member of the Buenaventura Art Association, the artist agrees to BAA’s liability policies.
Artwork and art products are displayed at the artist’s own risk. Artists are encouraged to
obtain their own insurance if concerned about loss, theft, damage, or injury to artwork or
products.
The artist releases and holds harmless the Buenaventura Art Association, its Board, officers,
staff, volunteers, and representatives from and against any loss, damage, theft, or injury to
artwork or products displayed at the Art Center/Gallery, unless such loss, damage, injury, or
theft is the result of intentional misconduct by BAA.
BAA reserves the right to remove artwork, terminate participation, or dismiss a participating
artist from the Art Center/Gallery program if the artist demonstrates intentional or continuing
disregard for the policies and procedures outlined in this agreement.
Addendum of Personal Action Items
I have read the policies and philosophy behind the operation of the Buenaventura Art
Center/Gallery and agree to uphold them. As a participating artist, I agree to abide by the
following personal actions as a condition of continued participation. Please initial each item:
___ I understand that the Art Center/Gallery is a cooperative, mission-driven BAA program
and that my participation includes shared responsibility for its success.
___ I agree to communicate respectfully with BAA leadership, staff, volunteers, artists, and
the public.
___ I agree to check and read email regularly from BAA and the Art Center/Gallery and to
respond when requested.
___ I agree to fulfill any hosting, volunteer, meeting, or participation responsibilities connected
to my display opportunity.
___ I understand that I may not always receive the most desirable shifts, display spaces, or
event opportunities, and I agree to share responsibilities fairly.
___ I agree to follow current guidelines for shared display areas, including pedestals, shelves,
cases, bins, walls, tables, and small works areas.
___ I agree to correctly complete all paperwork and procedures involved in sales, inventory,
display, intake, pickup, labeling, and pricing.
___ I agree to tastefully display my work in my assigned space and not allow my work to
intrude on another artist’s space or block another artist’s work.
___ I agree that all artwork and art products I display must be original, artist-designed,
handmade, hand-assembled, or otherwise approved by BAA.
___ I understand that all artwork and art products must be family-friendly and appropriate for
the public setting of Ventura Harbor Village.
___ I understand that BAA will retain 30% of sales and the artist will receive 70% of sales.
BAA covers Harbor 3% AGI fee.
___ I understand that required fees, if any, must be paid on time in order to remain in good
standing.
___ I understand that failure to follow BAA policies, procedures, communication standards,
payment requirements, or participation responsibilities may result in review, suspension, or
termination of my participation.
For Artists Accepted into the Member Show
Hosting
Artists accepted into each member show are responsible for helping to keep the Art Center
Gallery open 7-days per week. Member show artists commit to hosting the Art Center Gallery
for two shifts (shift #1: 11am to 2:30pm or shift #2: 2:30pm to 6pm) during the run of the sixweek member show.
SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY CONSTITUTES YOUR SIGNATURE AND AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OUTLINED ABOVE. IF POLICIES ARE NOT FOLLOWED, YOUR ARTWORK COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE SHOW.
