Vendor Submission Information
DOWNLOAD MERCHANDISE REVIEW FORM
PRODUCT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND PROCESS
The Museum Shop at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art offers a curated mix of original products by innovative designers and regional artisans at a range of media and price points. If you are an artisan or vendor interested in submitting items for possible sale in the Museum Shop, please review the following guidelines, policies and procedures.
Mission, Product Requirements and Selection Criteria
Mission –
The Mission of the Museum Shop at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is to exist to educate and serve a varied audience with a unique mix of quality products, publications, and exhibition-related merchandise while providing exceptional customer service to our patrons. All income earned is used to support the collections and exhibitions of the Museums.
This merchandise is selected for its qualities to:
- Educate the visitor about the fine arts in general and about the Wadsworth Atheneum and its collections.
- Stimulate appreciation and awareness of the visual arts.
- Teach and encourage manual dexterity and applied artistic skills.
- Reproductions and adaptation of museum artworks.
- Provide unusual and creative application of the principles of color, line, shape, form and texture.
Product Requirements –
The Museum Shop seeks to sell high quality merchandise created and/or designed by artisans both domestically and internationally. Items crafted in New England, especially in the Greater Hartford Area, are given priority consideration. Items must reflect the mission of the
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, generally through a relationship to subjects covered by the Museum’s permanent collection or special exhibitions. You can learn more about our current product assortment at our online store https://www.wadsworthshop.org/ as well as our collections and any upcoming exhibitions by visiting the museum in person or online at https://www.thewadsworth.org/.
Mediums – We accept craft work in ceramic, glass, wood, jewelry, metal, and textiles. Acceptable forms of non-craft items include books, home décor, fine design objects, kitchenware, fashion accessories, children’s toys and games. Unfortunately, we cannot offer any original art for sale.
Product Assortment Needs – Customer demand, current market trends, and our existing product mix are all taken into account when reviewing products for inclusion in our stores.
Sales Potential – Revenue potential and profit margins are thoroughly evaluated as all income earned is used to support the collections and exhibitions of the Museums.
Policies – Works offered by the Museum Shop will relate to the mission, collection and educational programs of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
How to Submit your Products
In order for us to properly process and review all product submissions, we kindly ask that all follow the guidelines below and meet the minimum requirements outlined above.
Download the “Merchandise for Review” form and scan or mail it back to us along with product links, photos, or a PDF catalogue. Please do not send samples unless specifically requested as unsolicited samples cannot be returned.
Next Steps – The Museum Shop buyer will review your submission. Items are very carefully and thoroughly vetted for their quality, price, and appropriateness to our store as outlined above. The selection process can be quite competitive as we receive large quantities of inquiries and submissions. Unfortunately, due to high volume, we are unable to respond to every submission.
We will contact you if there is any interest. Note that unsolicited phone calls cannot be returned.
Questions – E-mail the Museum Shop at museum.shop@thewadsworth.org. No phone calls, unscheduled appointments, or store walk-ins please.
Thank you for your interest in the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art Museum Shop.