What are Custom Questions?
Custom Questions allow galleries to add additional questions to their call for artists application forms, beyond the standard fields like title, medium, and dimensions.
A gallery creating a call for an exhibition might ask:
- "What are your shipping preferences?" (to plan logistics)
- "Can you attend the opening reception?" (to plan catering)
- "Preferred installation date?" (to schedule installations)
- "Do you need any special requirements?" (accessibility, etc.)
How It Works
For Gallery Admins
- Create a call
- Add custom questions (as many as you need)
- Publish the call
- Artists see questions when they apply
- Download answers via CSV or view in entry details
What's New in V2?
If you've used custom questions before (V1), here's what's improved:
| Feature | V1 (Old) | V2 (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Method | JavaScript code injection | Visual question builder |
| Question Types | Text only | 5 types (text, long text, yes/no, multiple choice, checkboxes) |
| Data Format | Unstructured text | Structured JSON |
| CSV Export | Manual parsing needed | Automatic columns |
| Mobile Support | Often broken | Fully responsive |
| Artist Experience | Inconsistent | Native form experience |
When to Use Custom Questions
- Logistics: Shipping, installation, timing, technical requirements
- Demographics: For grant reporting (age, location, experience level)
- Event planning: Attendance, participation, special needs
- Jury context: Artist statement specific to this call, inspiration, goals
- Terms and conditions: in case you wanted to double check the user understands terms
Not Recommended For
- Questions already covered by standard fields
- Questions you won't actually use (every question is a barrier to completion!)
- Extremely long questionnaires (try to keep it under 10 questions)
- Sensitive information (medical, financial, etc.)
Question Types at a Glance
| Type | Artist Sees | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Single-line input (max 200 chars) | Name, email, phone, short answer |
| Textarea | Multi-line input (max 1000 chars) | Descriptions, explanations, artist statements |
| Yes/No | Two radio buttons | Binary choices (Can attend? Need assistance?) |
| Multiple Choice | Radio buttons | Pick one from a list (Preferred date, size, category) |
| Checkboxes | Checkboxes | Pick multiple from a list (Events attending, materials used) |
Q: Do custom questions cost extra?
A: No, they're included!
Q: Can artists see my questions before applying?
A: Yes, once the call is published, all questions are visible.
Q: Can I change questions after artists have submitted?
A: Yes, but be careful - changing question types or deleting questions may affect existing answers.
Q: How many questions should I ask?
A: We recommend 3-5 questions. Every additional question reduces completion rates.