FAQ

Coterie Chicago at Pitchfork Music Festival 2010

Where will the upcoming show be held?
The upcoming show is at Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago’s Union Park. Only festival attendees will have access to our show.

What are the dates and times of the upcoming show?
July 16th-18th, 2010
Friday, July 16th:  doors open at 3pm and close at 10pm.
Saturday, July 17th:  doors open at 12pm and close at 10pm.
Sunday, July 18th:  doors open at 12pm and close at 10pm

What is this show like?
Pitchfork Music Festival is a three day event showcasing over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists on three stages. In addition to the music, the festival features Coterie Chicago,  CHIRP record fair and Flatstock Poster Fair.  These features are only available to the throngs of festival attendees.
Chicago loves hand-crafted goods and small local businesses. It’s a friendly, crowded and fast paced environment to sell your goods with just forty 8’x6’ artist spaces.

Who can participate?
Any artist who makes their own goods can participate. We cannot accept someone representing another person’s goods.

What is Coterie Chicago’s selection process?
After years of organizing multiple arts and crafts shows in the Chicago area, the organizers of Coterie Chicago have worked with well over 1000 amazing artists and makers. With just forty spaces to offer at the Pitchfork Music Festival, we have decided to hand-pick our artists this year instead of jurying to avoid the heartbreak (on both sides) of having to turn people away.

So how did we pick? We kept the music festival venue in mind when choosing and looked for goods that are original, innovative and well made in a wide variety of categories including jewelry, fashion, knit and crochet, paper goods, art, home goods, plush, baby and much more. We also looked for goods that would sell well at this event. We looked at vendors that we have worked with whose work is always evolving and improving and who have done exceptionally well in sales. We also wanted to add new artists that we’ve learned about or met over the past year. Lastly, we try to balance out the categories so there isn’t a flood of jewelry, for example, and so there is enough variety for everyone to buy.

Do keep in mind that vendors will be selling to festival attendees who probably won’t want to carry a 6 ft. wide masterpiece or spend $300 on a t-shirt.

How much does it cost to participate in Coterie?
It will cost you $150 plus an additional $10 if you need an 8 ft. table. Payment and paperwork will be due upon acceptance. If you do not meet our deadlines, we will give your spot to the next person on the list.

What does my fee cover?
Your fee covers an outdoor 8’x6’ space underneath a giant well-lit tent, 2 chairs, access to a shared dressing room, overnight security and your logo/banner and link on our Artists page. Electricity  is not available.

May I bring a garment rack or special display?
You may bring any display items that will fit in your 8 ft. wide by 6 ft. deep space.   Please keep in mind that the rental tables are about 2 1/2 ft. deep and you need room to sit.

Do I have to participate every day of the sale?
Yes, you are signing on to participate and sell at your space for the whole weekend during the hours of the festival including set-up and take-down times. We cannot have empty tables during the show and will have to turn tons of amazing artists and makers away. You will not get refunded if you back out after payment. If you do not show up and do not notify us (in a reasonable time so that we can accept another vendor), don’t expect to participate in future shows.

Do I have to collect sales tax?
Yes, you are responsible for collecting sales tax in the state of Illinois anytime you are selling something to the public. Illinois requires you to have a state tax id number to do this. For more information on this go to: Illinois Dept. of Revenue: 1-800-732-8866 or www.revenue.state.il.us/

Do I get free tickets to Pitchfork?
Each artist space gets two weekend wristband passes. This way you have one person (helper, employee or partner) to assist you through out the weekend (setting up, getting food or using the restrooms). You will need to tell us who this person is upon acceptance. Please note:  no more than two passes will be issued per artist space per day despite how many artists are in your company or group.

May my friend help me carry my stuff in and out without a wristband?
No, only the two people with wristbands can help carry your goods in and out. However, you may want to have an additional person that can drop you off or stay with your car while you are loading in or out.

Where can I park to load in and out?
Load in instructions will be emailed to you when they are finalized by the Pitchfork Music Festival organizers.

When is check-in? Take-down?
Check-in is on Friday. Please arrive by 1pm. If you come later than 2pm, you may not be able to get into the park. You must be set up and ready to sell by 3pm when doors open. We will be there to assist you in finding your assigned space upon check-in. Please arrive between 10-11am on Saturday and Sunday. Please do not be late. Take-down may start at 9pm. You are welcome to stay until 10pm. We will provide you with specifics once you have been accepted.

When do I get my wristbands?
We will provide you with specifics once you have been accepted.

May I leave my goods overnight?
There is security provided overnight. However, we recommend taking your product and anything else important home each night. You may put your displays under your table or take them home. Coterie Chicago and Pitchfork Music Festival are not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen or broken.

What should I bring?
You should bring your goods, displays, clothing racks, table coverings, mirrors, business cards, a fully stocked cash drawer, money for eating (or a small cooler), lots of water, sunscreen, an umbrella, etc.

Will there be food and water available?
Yes, food and water are available for sale at relatively inexpensive prices throughout the festival.

May I bring a cooler and my own food?
Yes, you may bring a small cooler when you come at the beginning of the day before the show opens. You will not be able to bring a cooler through any of the regular entrances.

What if I run out of change in my cash drawer?
If you run out of change, you are on your own and will have to negotiate with other vendors that might still have change. We recommend that you bring a well stocked cash drawer with ample change, ones, fives, and some tens. The majority of festival goers will be paying with twenties from the nearby bank machines. Expect to replenish your cash drawer at the beginning of every day and remember banks are not open Sunday.

What is the deadline for the participation fee?
June 1st is the deadline for the participation fee.  If you do not meet our deadlines, we will go down the list and pick another artist to participate.

Have a question we haven’t answered? Please let us know!