Surveys reveal an overwhelmingly positive response to Cayman Art Week 2022

Following the second iteration of Cayman Art Week in June 2022, two surveys were conducted – one of participating venues and the other of attendees to the events - to assess the overall impact of CAW and to gather comments and suggestions for improvement. These results will be used to inform future planning. The feedback from both surveys was overwhelmingly positive. We are glad to report that we are meeting our objectives of increasing visibility for commercial galleries and artists and connecting collectors with creators.

VISITORS’ SURVEY

It is calculated that a total of 1300 visitors attended events throughout CAW, the vast majority (96%) of whom were residents ranging in age from 26 to 65+.

Visitors were asked how they learned about CAW, why they attended, and how many events and venues they went to. They were also asked to provide comments about their experience.

The majority (83.8%) attended between one and five events, with 75.7% visiting between one and ten venues.

Respondents reported having learned about the event primarily through Cayman Art Week’s website and social media channels or knew of it having attended last year. A significant number also reported learning about the event through word-of-mouth, media and direct invitation by artists or participating venues.

Reasons for attending the event were varied, the most common being: to see works by artists they knew, to discover new artists, to find out more about Cayman’s arts scene, and to attend a fun, unique event.

The overwhelming majority had a positive experience and praised the event's organisation. Suggestions for improving the event included longer opening hours at participating venues and more marketing to increase awareness of the event.

VENUES’ SURVEY

Of the 38 venues that participated in Cayman Art Week 2022, 27 completed the survey in full. Based on these results, CAW was found to have positively impacted venues, with 85% reporting they would participate again, the remainder being ‘maybes’.

Seventy percent of venues reported an increase in traffic during the week of the event, and 51% reported increased sales. As a result, the event is calculated to have generated CI$215,000 in sales.

Six of the 27 venues that responded reported that CAW resulted in new commissions.

Overall, venues deemed the event to have been well organised and staff helpful, with 44% of respondents believing the event could be longer.

Venues and artists offered a variety of suggestions to consider for future events. These included promoting CAW earlier and more widely and targeting hotels to reach international visitors. Some participants felt it was not possible to visit all venues within the five-day timeframe and therefore suggested a longer event, more frequent buses or fewer venues. An event exclusively for artists and a separate event for buyers to meet with artists were also mooted.

CAYMAN ART WEEK

Cayman Art Week was launched in 2021 to increase visibility for the commercial gallery sector and to connect artists and venues with buyers. It consists of an online platform and an annual five-day event.

The inaugural year saw 23 venues participate, increasing to 38 in 2022. These included established commercial art galleries, artist’s studios, and pop-up exhibition spaces across the three islands.

The survey results are encouraging, pointing to Cayman Art Week becoming a key event and economic driver for Cayman’s art community, potentially becoming a national cultural tourism platform.