MARKET HOURS
The Riverside Arts Market (RAM) will be open every Saturday from 10am to 4pm from March 6 through December 18, 2010. The Market Manager has decision-making authority to close RAM for inclement weather or any other reason.

EXHIBITING AT THE RIVERSIDE ARTS MARKET
In order to exhibit at RAM, all items must be hand-made or grown by the artist renting the booth.
No items being sold at RAM can be items that were purchased for resale. Prints of paintings or photographs created by the artist renting the booth are permissible. Artists are not allowed to copy another artist’s work.

You may not sell items in your booth that have been created by another artist unless you are the responsible adult that has applied on behalf of a minor’s artwork or you are cooperatively renting the booth with another approved artist.  All artists’ work must be approved by the Art Review Committee (ARC). Should an artist be found breaking any of the regulations above they will be asked to leave RAM, not to return.

DEFINITION OF ART
Art is the process or product of deliberately and creatively arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. To RAM, art consists of paintings, photography, pottery, sewn items, jewelry, sculpture, bread, plants, fruit, vegetables and many other things that are handmade or grown.

DEFINITION OF FOOD VENDORS
Food Vendors sell ready-to-eat food at RAM, such as salads, sandwiches, coffee, pastries, bar-b-que, pizza, soups, and hot dogs. Food Vendors are distinguished from Food Artists, who sell pre-packaged food that is intended to be consumed away from the RAM site.

ART REVIEW COMMITTEE APPROVAL
All artists who participate in RAM are required to have their art (art, crafts, food, plants, products, etc.) reviewed and approved by the Art Review Committee (ARC). This committee ensures that all products sold at RAM meet the guidelines and maintain a good product mix at RAM week to week.

Only work reviewed and approved by ARC is eligible for exhibition and sale at RAM.
Artists may display more than one category of art after each category is reviewed and approved by ARC.

ARC has this message for all 2010 RAM Applicants:

• Art must be handmade by the artist and approved prior to exhibiting/selling at RAM.
• Art must meet high standards for creativity, originality, craftsmanship and presentation.
• Art must be exhibited for sale or display (“orders-only” booths are not allowed).
• Containers and packaging (for art, such as candles, soaps, etc) should be attractive and professionally presented.

Art or activities at artist booths that are not appropriate at RAM include:

• No resale, imported, or manufactured goods.
• No art made from kits or otherwise are not ‘original’ in design and craftsmanship.
• No art not substantially made by the artist.
• No ‘build-your-own-art’ activities in visual artist booths.

FOOD VENDOR LICENSING GUIDELINES
Food must be prepared in a commercial kitchen.  Food prepared at home is not allowed. License and insurance requirements are dependent upon each individual operation. The following agencies will evaluate the licensing and insurance needs of all Food Vendors applicants: State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and State of Florida Department of Health.  For more information about license and insurance requirements, please visit http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/fs/ or call 850-245-5520. All callers should leave their physical home address and a GOOD daytime phone number.

All RAM vendors, including Food Vendors, are responsible for collecting and reporting Florida State and Duval County Sales Tax on all sales at RAM. Food Vendors must have a Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as an occupational or peddler’s license). For more information about Business Tax Receipts, please visit http://taxjax.com/localBusinessTax.aspx.

APPLICATIONS
To submit products for ARC approval, artists should submit an Application for Approval, which can be found at http://www.communitymkt.com.  Click on the link titled “Application Form Click Here.”  If you have any questions about how to fill out this Application for Approval, please call 904-554-6865 to make an appointment to fill in the Application at the RAM office.

Please read the instructions carefully and fill in all the required fields for Food Vendors.  Your credit card will be charged according to the fees stated on the Application for Approval.

Please Note:  Incomplete Applications will be charged the applicable Application Fees, but will NOT be reviewed.
The applicant must be an adult. A responsible adult may apply on behalf of a minor, but must be present when the minor’s artwork is being exhibited. For example, a certified teacher can submit an application for a student’s work.

Artists will be notified of their approval status within 2 - 3 weeks via email. After ARC approval, artists will be given login information to RAM’s online reservation system, where they can reserve booth spaces. 

APPLICATION FEES
Application Fees are nonrefundable.

Application Fees are assessed per category that you plan to exhibit.  If you plan on exhibiting in more than one category, you must submit more than one Application Fee.  For example, an artist who plans on selling photographs and photographic prints will submit one Application Fee.  However, an artist who plans on selling photography and paintings will submit two Application Fees.

BOOTH RESERVATIONS
Booth reservation fees are nonrefundable and must be paid in full when requesting booth reservations.  Approved Food Vendors may reserve as many weeks as they can pay for in advance, and there is no minimum amount of weeks that an approved Food Vendor must reserve.

BOOTH RESERVATION FEES FOR FOOD VENDORS

FOOD VENDOR BOOTHS AND TENTS
Food Vendors booth spaces are approximately 15 ft wide by 12 ft deep.  Tents and vending area may be
no larger than 10 ft by 10 ft to allow space between booths. When designing and/or determining the style of your booth, please keep variable weather conditions in mind. While the bridge canopy will offer many booths good protection from the elements, complete coverage cannot be guaranteed. It is advised to bring a cover to protect you and your products from rain and sun.  All tents are required to be weighted. Anchoring your booth directly into the ground is not possible. Any attempt to do so will result in fines and possible termination of privileges. Tents are to be anchored by weights only; stakes are not allowed. Generators also are not allowed. One additional thing to remember is that the area under the bridge is not completely flat. There is a slight slope in some of the booth spots. See “On-Line Artist’s Workshop”:

It is RAM’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for our artists, vendors and the public. It is the artist’s responsibility to help us achieve this. When constructing your booth, please avoid rigid materials such as fiberglass, Visqueen, polyethylene, or corrugated metal and plastic, as these could be dangerous should they become airborne in windy conditions. If your booth is constructed of wood, please be sure that it is well sanded and finished to protect your customers from splinters. Be sure that there are no protruding nails, screws or hooks that could injure someone. If you are building your own booth on site, please do not use nails to assemble your booth, as these can be misplaced and become dangerous underfoot, and also can puncture tires.

All tents, canopies, etc. must be flame retardant.

If you are not using a tent with walls, it is a good idea for your booth to have a back panel to hide your storage items, or to have appropriate options so that your customers cannot see your storage items. While not forbidden, having storage items in plain sight makes booths look cluttered and is distracting to the buyer.

Signs describing your artwork, etc. are welcome. All signs must be kept within your 12’x12’ space and cannot be in the aisles. Signs should be professional in design and print.

Tables are another way to display your work. All tables must be draped. The Market Manager can ask that a table be replaced if it is in poor condition.

Electric service (two outlets: 110 volt/ac) is available at each Food Vendors’ booth space.  Food Vendors must provide extension cords that meet electric code requirements (grounded 3-prong plug and heavy-duty wire size). High amperage equipment, like ovens, kilns, or commercial microwave ovens, is only allowed in Food Vendor booths.  RAM must comply with the overall amperage load limit for the Market Site, so some very high amperage appliances may not be permitted.  Please check with the Market Manager if you are concerned about your electrical needs.  High amperage equipment is prohibited in artists’ booths.  Food Vendors may use small fans in hot weather. In cold weather, dress accordingly, and bring extra layers to protect against lengthy exposure to cold and wind.  Electric heaters are prohibited at RAM because of amperage load limits and safety hazards.  If an artist is discovered to be using prohibited equipment, they will be charged a penalty of $20.  Please don’t make us be policemen on this.

Water is available at a hose bib near the Food Vendors area. Food Vendors may make incidental use of the water, but no Food Vendors may connect a hose to the faucet without the Market Manager’s permission. Food Vendors must have a working fire extinguisher at their booth. Open fires such as gas grills must be compliant with Jacksonville Fire Department codes.

RAM reserves the right to regulate various aspects of each artist’s display but prefers not to.
Help us make RAM a positive experience for all the artists, vendors, and customers.

Food Vendors are responsible for cleaning up the booth space at the end of the day. All trash must be taken to the dumpster or removed by the Food Vendors.  Any oil or other products used to cook or prepare food at RAM must be responsibly disposed of (in sealed containers, if appropriate).  Food Vendors will be responsible for any costs incurred to clean up spills or other damage at the site. The use of drop cloths or other means of ensuring no oil stains is recommended.  Any Food Vendors that does not clean up their booth space must pay a $ 20 fine before participating again at RAM.  Repeated failure to clean up may result in being banned from RAM participation, even though your work may have been approved and booth rental fees paid.

Please Note: Plastic bags and Styrofoam containers are not permitted for use or sale by vendors. 100% Recyclable plastic bags are not permitted at RAM.  Please use 100% Biodegradable plastic bags only. RAM will offer canvas bags at a low cost to vendors and visitors.

BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS
All approved Food Vendors will choose their own booth assignment through RAM’s online reservation system.

While RAM will make every attempt to give each Food Vendors their space of choice, RAM reserves the right, from time to time, to move a Food Vendors to alternative Food Vendors spaces. RAM is one of the few markets in the country that actually allows an artist to choose their own location. That said, on occasion, RAM will need to move a Food Vendors to another booth. By participating in RAM, you are acknowledging and approving these moves. It is important to remember that your participation in RAM is your contribution to the community and not the other way around.

Trading or switching booth assignments without the Market Manager’s permission is prohibited.

Booths must be staffed by an adult during all open RAM hours (10am - 4pm). Short breaks for using the restrooms and purchasing lunch are acceptable. Food Vendors are encouraged to help neighboring Food Vendors watch booths during these breaks.

Food Vendors are expected to be present at their booths on Market Day unless they notify the Market Manager ahead of time.

SETUP & BREAKDOWN
Food Vendors vehicles are allowed on the RAM site during setup and breakdown hours.
In order to facilitate setup and breakdown, please print and follow the traffic map.

Setup Hours: 6:30am – 9:30am
Please drive to your booth space (following the traffic map), unload your vehicle, park your vehicle in the assigned space in the Red Cross parking lot, and return to setup your booth.  This helps keep the traffic lanes clear.

No cars are allowed on the RAM site between the hours of 9:30am and 4:15pm.

Breakdown Hours: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Please breakdown and clean your booth space starting at 4:00pm, then get your car.  You will be allowed to drive to your booth space (following the traffic map) starting at 4:15pm.  Please pack your car as quickly as possible to help keep traffic lanes clear.

FOOD VENDOR PARKING
Food Vendors parking is usually available at the Red Cross lot, next to the RAM site.  These spaces are assigned by the Market Manager on a first come, first serve basis.  These spaces are limited and are not guaranteed.  These spaces are Red Cross property, and all unauthorized vehicles (for example – vehicles parked in unassigned spaces) will be towed.  Food Vendors are assigned only one space in the Red Cross lot.  Any additional vehicles must park in the spaces described below. 

After these spaces are full, parking is available at the First Guaranty Bank parking lot, which is across the street from RAM, or at the Fidelity surface lot, which is located next to RAM on Riverside Avenue.  Cars must be removed by 7pm every Saturday. No vehicles can be left on the RAM site between the hours of 9:30am and 4:15pm, unless permitted by the Market Manager (farmers, for example, may sell items from backs of their trucks). We are very fortunate to have ample parking close by for you and your customers. Please respect these parking regulations and help us keep the parking lots clean.

CANCELLATIONS
Booth reservation fees are payable in advance and are nonrefundable. 

You will not receive a refund for any cancellation; however you can avoid fines by cancelling with the Market Manager prior to the ‘No Show’ deadline.

A Food Vendor is considered a ‘No Show’ if they do not call the Market Manager to cancel by NOON on the Friday before the RAM Saturday.  A ‘No Show’ Food Vendor must pay a $ 50 fine before participating again at RAM. If a Food vendor is a ‘No Show’ three times, they will not be allowed to participate at RAM for the remainder of the season, even though their products may have been approved and booth rental fees paid.

RAM is rain or shine. There is no refund for inclement weather, or if the Market Manager closes RAM early for any reason.

Food Vendors who arrive late or leave early without permission from the Market Manager must pay a $ 50 fine before participating again at RAM.  If a Food Vendor arrives late or leaves early without permission from the Market Manager three times, they will not be allowed to participate at RAM for the remainder of the season, even though their products may have been approved and booth rental fees paid.

ON-SITE MANAGEMENT
RAM will have staff onsite every Saturday. This staff will be there to help direct artists, direct traffic, clean up trash, notify security if needed, answer questions, and act as goodwill ambassadors for RAM. They will also be there to confirm that all Food Vendors are exhibiting approved products and following the rules and regulations of RAM. They will be wearing staff shirts and will be easily recognizable.

RULES ENFORCEMENT
All Food Vendors are responsible for adhering to RAM rules. RAM management is ultimately responsible for enforcing RAM rules and has the authority to have a Food Vendor remove inappropriate items and/or eject a Food Vendor or visitor from RAM. If a Food Vendors disagrees with the RAM representative, the Food Vendor may file a grievance report with the Market Manager.

A GREEN MARKET
RAM is a ‘green’ market and no plastic bags or Styrofoam containers are allowed. Food Vendors should make every effort to reduce excessive packaging. Cloth bags are available for sale to customers and Food Vendors. If you have questions about whether or not your packaging meets the requirements, please contact us.

WEATHER
Food Vendors need to be prepared for all weather conditions. Be prepared to cover your products and booth if necessary. RAM is not responsible for weather-related damage. Food Vendors must be prepared to deal with high winds and/or blowing rain that may sometimes affect any and all booths. For booth ideas, see “On-Line Artist’s Workshop” .

DOGS AND OTHER PETS
Food Vendors will not be allowed to bring dogs or other pets to RAM.

ETHICS AND CONDUCT
1. Food Vendors shall be aware of, keep up to date, and comply with all current RAM rules, regulations and guidelines. RAM reserves the right to modify the policies, rules and regulations at its discretion. While RAM officials will make every attempt to be reasonable, be aware that violators may be banned from future participation even though their products may have been approved and booth rental fees paid.

2. Food Vendors shall conduct themselves in a professional and business-like manner while participating at RAM.

3. Food Vendors agree to sell during the entire duration of the Market day unless the Market Manager closes RAM early due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

4. Food Vendors are allowed to sell only those items formally approved by the Art Review Committee.  Any and all un-approved items will be removed from the Food Vendor’s booth by RAM staff, and violators must pay a $ 50 fine for each unauthorized item.  Multiple violations will result in the Food Vendor being banned from participation at RAM for the remainder of the season, even though some of their products may have been approved and booth rental fees paid.

5. Food Vendors must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, special statutes and ordinances regarding public health, safety, and welfare, including but not limited to product labeling laws and required licenses and insurance.

6. Food Vendors must comply with the Food Vendor Licensing Guidelines outlined above in regards to license and insurance requirements. For more information about Food Vendors license and insurance requirements, please visit http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/fs/ or call 850-245-5520. All callers should leave their physical home address and a GOOD daytime phone number. Food Vendor is responsible for collecting and reporting Florida State and Duval County Sales Tax on all sales at RAM.  Food Vendors must have a Business Tax Receipt (formerly known as an occupational or peddler’s license). For more information about Business Tax Receipts, please visit http://taxjax.com/localBusinessTax.aspx.

7. Food Vendors must confine all products and display material to his/her assigned booth space.

8. Food Vendors should not approach a customer viewing another vendor’s display.

9. Food Vendors should not make derogatory remarks about other vendors or their work.

10. Food Vendors should refrain from using profanity, and from behavior that is verbally or physically abusive or dangerous and disruptive to RAM activities.

11. Food Vendors are responsible for the behavior of friends, family, and staff who visit or stay in his/her booth.

12. Food Vendors may not “hawk” their wares. Hawking is defined as aggressively offering goods for sale by calling out.

13. Food Vendors whose product (i.e. scents and sounds) may have an impact beyond the confines of their booth must be sensitive to the impact of their products on other vendors and the public. Food Vendors must cooperate with a reasonable request to remedy any problems that might arise.

14. Smoking is not permitted in booth spaces during RAM hours.

15. Food Vendors should not use drugs or be intoxicated while selling at RAM.

16. Food Vendors must be able to show the Market Manager and/or any regulatory agency representative proof of any and all required licenses, certificates of insurance, and the Business Tax Receipt.