how to use the artists' registry

In order to make it as easy as possible to use the registry, we've provide answers to the most common questions we receive. Please read through this helpful information before you contact us. If you still have a question, our contact information is at the bottom of the page.

How can I get a listing in the Artists’ Registry?

As long as you are an individual artist, group, arts organization or arts business in the mid Missouri area, being a part of the Artists’ Registry is simple.

First, you must create your own profile. Once completed, your profile is what is displayed as your general contact information in your Registry listing. Your profile is also where you provide a description of your work (if you are an individual artist), your group, your arts organization or your arts business. While creating your profile, you will create a password that you use for logging in to the Registry if you want to change any of your information or the image you post.

Once you have created your profile, you must submit an entry to complete your listing. This will associate your profile with a specific category of the Registry (visual art or music, for example). While submitting your entry, you will be able to upload an image and add text that will serve as a caption or title for that particular entry. You may submit more than one entry which then allows you to have listings in more than one category (in painting and sculpture, for example). Changing or adding to your profile or entries can be done at any time by logging in.

Once you have created your profile and submitted an entry, a draft version of your listing will be sent to the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA). The OCA will complete the process so that your listing is posted in the Registry. You will receive an email from the OCA once your listing is on the Registry website, usually within just a few days of your initial submission.

PLEASE NOTE : You must complete both a profile and submit an entry to have a listing shown in the Registry. If you just create a profile, your information will not appear on the website because you have not submitted an entry. Once you create an entry, your profile is then associated with a specific Registry category and is posted that way.

Do I have to be an individual artist to be included in the Artists’ Registry?

No. The Artists’ Registry is intended for individual artists, groups, arts organizations and arts businesses. We hope that many arts-related sources will be highlighted so that visitors to the Registry are aware of the many choices in our community.

Do I have to live in Columbia to have a listing in the Artists’ Registry?

As long as you live in the mid-Missouri area or your arts organization/business is in the mid Missouri area, you can be listed in the Artists’ Registry. If you are unsure about whether your address/town/city is considered to be in mid Missouri, contact us.

Is there a cost for having a listing in the Artists’ Registry?

No. The Artists’ Registry is a free service to participants and to users. The City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) coordinates and maintains the Registry as part of its efforts to promote the work of local artists, groups and organizations. The Registry is funded, in part, by Missouri Arts Council grant dollars secured by the OCA.

Can I have more than one listing in the Artists’ Registry?

Yes. Many artists and groups work in more than one medium so we expect that one contact may be listed in several categories. And because there is no cost for being included in the Artists’ Registry, having more than one listing only requires the time to create the entries.

Once I am part of the Artists’ Registry, how can I update or change my listing?

We encourage participants to keep listings as current as possible so we’ve tried to keep the updating process as simple as possible. We also want to protect the listings so that no one can make changes to an entry that isn’t theirs. For that reason, you’ll have a password for accessing your listing(s). We suggest that you make it something that you can easily remember, but if you forget, we’ll send your password to you.

To get started with making a change or an update, you must login. Once you are logged in, you will see a green box at the top of the page and your profile information below. From there, you can follow the link to “edit your profile,” or the link to “view or edit your submitted entries.”

Once you have updated the information you intended to, be sure to select the “submit” button at the bottom of the page so the changes are saved.

I have created my profile but I don’t see my listing in the Registry. What’s wrong?

Creating a profile is the first step in the process. The second step is to create an entry. To do this, you need to log in using your email and password and select “submit a new entry”. Once you’ve created your entry, it will associate that information and your profile in the specific category you select (like jazz or ceramics, for example) and therefore create your listing in the Registry.

If you have a profile and have created an entry and you still do not see your listing in the Registry, it is because the OCA staff has not posted it yet. This process may take a few days based on the volume of entries submitted and available staff time. You will receive an email once the entry is posted and visible on the website. If you have not received an email from us, we welcome your inquiry so just call or email and we’ll look into it.

Why/What should I name my entry?

This refers to the image you associate with your entry. The name will show when visitors to the Registry are browsing the images on the discipline pages, so you should name your image something that identifies your, group, organization or business. Examples are, for visual artists, post an image of your work and name the entry “XYZ landscape” by ABC Artist. Musical groups might use an image of a CD cover or a photo from a performance and would name that entry accordingly. For arts organizations and arts businesses, use your logo and organization/business name.

How do I delete a listing in the Artists’ Registry?

To delete an entry, login with your password and select the “view or edit your submitted entries ” link. Once there, simply select the “delete” button at the bottom of the page that displays the entry information you want to remove.

I no longer want to be included in the Artists’ Registry. How can I remove my listing(s)?

If you no longer want your information or entries included in the Registry, simply contact the OCA and we will delete your profile and any associated entries.

I'm still stuck. What next?

If this is still seeming clear as mud after reading these FAQs, please contact us and we’ll do all that we can to assist you.

If you have ideas for how to improve the Registry or input on your visit to the site, please complete a survey and tell us what you think.

Profiles and work submitted to this site are subject to the Artists' Registry Policy Statement.

Contact information:
City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs · 1 South Seventh Street · P.O. Box 6015 · Columbia, MO  65205 · telephone 573-874-6386 · fax 573-874-7681 ·

Financial assistance for this project has been provided by
the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

This site is provided and maintained by the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs. Site hosting is provided as a courtesy of Caledon Virtual .

Work presented on this site is property of the copyright holder and may not be used, stored or duplicated without permission.

Please send comments and questions to oca@GoColumbiaMo.com.