Got Questions?
Common Questions.
We’re here to help answer any questions you have. If you can’t find what you’re looking for below…
Common Questions:
I want my artwork to be seen by gallerists, collectors, and the public. How can Cell 6 Collective help me?
Cell 6 Collective will represent you as your art dealer. We present artworks to galleries and collectors who we have developed relationships within the greater Boston area. We will also sell prints of your artwork to the public (or sell an original). You do not need to take any other action once you have been granted representation and submitted the requested artwork.
Is Cell 6 buying my artwork?
No. Cell 6 Collective will sign a contract allowing us to take temporary possession of your work to sell it on your behalf. We do not give you money before any sale. If Cell 6 decides to purchase your artwork for our purposes, we will offer you the retail price minus our commission fee.
How do I send my artwork to you?
Through the mail! We realize some institutions are sticklers about only mailing artwork to those on your visitor’s list. If that is your institution’s policy, we will gladly fill out a visitor’s request form. Just send us a visitor’s form when you apply. If your institution does not require the recipient to be on your visitor’s list, mail us the selected pieces at ADDRESS TBD. Remember, we do not want original artwork during the application process, only after you have been selected as one of Cell 6 Collective’s artists!
Do I retain the copyright of my work?
Yes. While we represent you, the artist retains the copyright for their artwork, allowing you to reproduce and create derivative works based on your original piece. Once sold, the buyer becomes the new owner of the artwork but the artist retains copyright and moral rights, such as the right to attribution and the protection of the artwork’s integrity.
What happens if my artwork remains unsold after six months?
Any unsold pieces are returned to the artist(s) at the end of their six-month representation period.
Common Questions:
What is a Cell 6 Collective Residency?
Our Residency program is an invitation-only opportunity for an artist to extend their representation indefinitely. This offer is usually made for our top-selling artists or emerging artists our Selection Committee feels has great potential. Resident artists receive active sales representation by Cell 6 dealers.
Do I need to frame the artwork selected by Cell 6?
No. We will matte and frame your artwork if necessary by our Selection Committee.
What happens if I get transferred to a new institution or am released before or during my six-month representation period?
Nothing. If you are transferred make sure you contact us ASAP with your new mailing address and supply a new visiting form if you are required to resubmit one. If you are released, Congrats! Call us to share the news, if you’re ever in Boston we’ll host you at our office.
How does Cell 6 Collective select the artwork you wish to sell?
Good question. Very carefully! Our Selection Committee is comprised of art experts who volunteer to review and evaluate all artwork submitted during the application process. Regardless of the medium, we have a great group of gallerists, art historians, aficionados, and professional artists who decide which six artists we’ll take on and which six artworks from each artist we want to represent.
Application Questions:
What is the application process?
We want to maximize the time and attention we give to each piece of art we sell. To do that we limit the number of artists and the number of pieces we represent. If you wish to be represented by Cell 6 Collective, follow these steps:
- Complete an application – You can apply online or through the good old U.S. Post Office
- Submit photos of up to 10 pieces of art you wish to be reviewed – We only take six artworks per artist but encourage you to submit photos of up to 10 pieces. If you apply online you can attach .jpg or .png image files to your application (make sure you do a great job taking the photos as our Selection Committee relies on the photos to decide who to choose). If you cannot apply online, please send 10 photos to us with your paper application. Want your photos returned? Provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope and we’ll send them back to you.
- Our Selection Committee will decide which artists and which pieces we wish to represent to our buyers. We will contact you based on the information in your application, so make sure it’s accurate and up to date. Yes, we can contact a friend or relative instead if that is easier for you. Yes, there will be a legal contract involved. Incarcerated persons are generally not allowed to sign legally binding contracts. You should have a Power of Attorney designated who can speak with us and sign a representation agreement on your behalf.
When is the application deadline(s)?
Cell 6 Collective offers representation to two cohorts per year. Our winter/spring cohort begins in January and ends in June; our summer/fall cohort begins in July and ends in December.
- Deadline to apply for the winter/spring cohort is September 30th. Selections will be announced no later than November 1st.
- Deadline to apply for the summer/fall cohort is February 28th. Selections will be announced no later than March 1st.
I have less than six pieces of art, can I still apply?
No. Sorry, but we’re called Cell 6 for a reason.
Is there an application fee?
No, of course not! We’re here to help you sell your art because we know it costs money to purchase supplies. Prison SPOs are notorious rip-offs and even a relatively simple media, such as graphite drawing, can cost a lot of money to produce. We want to help you support yourself and your family through your artwork, not make it harder.
Payment Questions:
How much does Cell 6 charge buyers for my artwork?
It depends. As part of the selection process, our experts will evaluate your art based on its quality, style, theme, innovation, and the current market demand for similar works. As part of our representation agreement with you, Cell 6 Collective is solely responsible for pricing your work, although we will take into consideration the fair retail price you suggest.
How do I get paid?
We will send your payment to you directly through Western Union, J-Pay, or a U.S. Postal Money Order. Any transaction fees (e.g. Western Union fee) are deducted from your earnings. If you have an outside representative who can collect your earnings on your behalf, we will send a check made payable to that person to their address.
How does Cell 6 Collective make money?
We work hard for it. During your six-month residency, any artwork sold will be charged with a 25% commission to cover our costs and efforts. If you are invited to be a Cell 6 Collective Resident artist, we will charge a 30% commission on sold pieces.
What about prints of my artwork?
When you sign your representation contract, you give Cell 6 permission to reproduce your artwork by creating prints. We will sell these prints online. Cell 6 Collective pays our artists 20% of the retail price on any sold print.
Payment Questions:
Do I have to sign a contract?
Yes. Most likely you will need to name a Power of Attorney who can sign on your behalf. Most prison law libraries have power of attorney templates you can use to create one. Cell 6 Collective will provide you with a fill-in-the-blank power of attorney form if requested. Your Power of Attorney will be legally allowed to sign any contracts on your behalf. These contracts are legally binding. Contracts are not written by a jailhouse lawyer so make sure you read your contract thoroughly before agreeing to it.
If I find a buyer for a piece, I submitted to Cell 6 Collective during my six-month representation period, can I sell it myself?
No. By signing the contract and sending us your pieces, you have agreed to give Cell 6 Collective temporary possession of your artwork for the entire six-month period. If the artwork does not sell within that period, we will return it to you and then you can sell it to the buyer.
Can I send the money earned from a sale of my artwork to a friend or family member
Yes. Once your six-month residency begins, or if you become a Cell 6 Collective Resident Artist, you or your representative will have access to a private artist dashboard that provides updates on the status of sales for each of your artworks and any print sales based upon your art.
Even though you have provided extensive answers to all these questions, I’m still confused. How can I contact you?
Fill out our Contact Form and we will get back to you ASAP. Make sure you provide your preferred method of contact.