Followers of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 will learn about many artists, venues and works of art by following gameplay. Mostly, followers will see pictures of art and read the names of artists and venues on social media. Hopefully all the social media exposure will result in more people visiting art venues to see the works of art in person.

You might then ask, "But can I actually BUY art I see as part of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 for my own art collection and enjoyment?"

Yes, you can! We hope you DO buy art you've seen during the game. Helping you to find artists, arts venues and works of art you're interested in is a big part of why we created the game. So, 100% yes!

Visiting arts venues in person to see the art in real life is typically the first step.

While you are the venue you will be able to find out if the work is available for sale. (Some works may already to sold to another real-life buyer/collector. Also, some artists exhibit works of art but do not offer those works for sale to the public.)

If you don't' already know the price, it's usually posted next to the work on a label or in a price list at the venue. Some artists, however, don't list a price at the exhibition site. In that case, you'll see information about how to contact the artist or the venue proprietor directly for information.

Once you've established the work of art is available, information about how to conduct the transition will be apparent at the venue.

Every Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 post on this site (reddotchallenge.org) includes the following statement at the bottom of the post:

The organizers of Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 are committed to supporting artists and the venues that exhibit their work.

​Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​

All twelve players for Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 were identified in September. The player slots filled soon after the call was posted on this site, by email and on social media.

Each of the twelve players was given the opportunity to choose one of the twelve possible fantasy budget slots OR accept a random selection. All but four players chose random selections. The final allocation of fantasy budget slots will be determined at a special private Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 launch party scheduled for October 22nd.

Players will find out who else is playing at the launch party. In addition to finding out who else is playing and drawing for fantasy budget slots, game administrators will share tips for playing. Players will have a chance to ask questions and bounce ideas around with each other.

Each player will be assigned a player number at the launch party. Only game administrators will know for certain which player number is associated with which player until the REVEAL event in February, 2025. (Details of the REVEAL event will be announced soon.)

After the launch party a casual photo and an informal background statement about each player will be posted on this page and on our social media channels so the public can find out who's playing and become acquainted with the players.

​Gameplay will begin on November 1, 2024 and end on January 31, 2025.

Description of the game: Red Dot Challenge is a fantasy art collecting game with a social media twist that takes place in real time at real places with real art. Everyone participates alongside the players!

Object of the game: Each player must identify a fantasy art collection depicting at least seven works of art that, taken together, is in some way meaningful to the player. Players must complete their fantasy art collection within the timeframe of the game and without exceeding their fantasy budget.

​Purposes of the game: Red Dot Challenge is a fun way to learn about artists and art venues while following the players’ progress. The game encourages players and the public to think deeply about art and assess the developing fantasy art collections in real time. Game organizers hope engagement with the game will lead people to purchase art in real life.

Background of the game:

• Red Dot Challenge is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
• The game was devised in 2019 and scheduled to run as a pilot in 2020. The pilot was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2023 a scaled down pilot version was played from December 1, 2023 until January 31, 2024 with a “REVEAL” event on February 1, 2024. <HERE>.
• Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is non-commercial. No funds have been solicited, donated, paid or accepted. No one is paid to participate or administer the game. The game is not a fundraiser.

​
The basics of how Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 will work:

• Season 1 gameplay will run from November 1, 2024 until January 31, 2025.
• The Season 1 “BIG REVEAL” event will be held in February, 2025 (Details to be announced.)
• Each of the 12 players will assemble one fantasy art collection. Each player will be assigned one of the three fantasy budgets levels ($1,000, $5,000 or $10,000) so that four players are collecting at each fantasy budget level.
• Each player must identify at least seven works of art for their fantasy art collection during gameplay without exceeding their fantasy budget.
• Players must visit venues located in the metro Rochester area in person to identify their selections..
• Players select works of art for their fantasy art collections by taking pictures of the works and posting those pictures to fantasy art collection albums on Facebook.
• The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME.
• The public is invited to participate with the players in real time through a variety of means.
• In addition to other ways of participating, the public will be presented with three challenges:
  • Challenge #1: Correctly identify artists whose works are included in fantasy art collections.
  • Challenge #2: Correctly match the players with their fantasy art collections.
  • Challenge #3: Submit responses & observations elicited by the fantasy art collections

​​
RedDotChallenge.org is the primary repository of information about Red Challenge, Season 1

Highlights of public engagement opportunities during Season 1 are listed below. In addition to following the fantasy art collections and the players, the public is invited to a series of "CHALLENGES" over the course of gameplay. Complete details about each CHALLENGE will be described in subsequent posts here and on social media as well as by other methods before gameplay begins on November 1, 2024. In the meantime...

CHALLENGE #1:  Identify artists in the collections

• Over the course of gameplay each picture of art chosen by a player for their fantasy art collection will be posted in a photo album on Facebook associated with that player. The venue where the work may be found will be identified; the title of the work will be identified and the price will be identified. Initially, the artist's name will not be identified. The public will be CHALLENGED to figure out who the artist is and post the artist's name (or Instagram "handle") in the comments. The most obvious way to correctly identify the artist is to go to the venue in person. There are other ways as well. (More on that below.) The game administrator will confirm a winner and post the correct information in the notes within a few days. We hope you'll follow up to learn more about each artist.

CHALLENGE #2:  Match the players with their collections

• As you just found out, the fantasy art collection albums will be posted on Facebook. Well, we aren't going to tell you which players are connected to which of those fantasy art collection albums until after the big REVEAL event after the game ends. What?! Yeah, that's right. We want you to try to figure it out. How is that even possible? The players will be posting game updates on each of their Instagram pages.  We're going to give you all the players' Instagram accounts so you can follow them. By following the players on Instagram you'll have clues as to who is collecting what. (Oh, and by the way, following the players will certainly help with CHALLENGE #1, right?) We're going to give you a form to keep track of your progress and submit your results. Correctly match at least one player with their fantasy art collection to qualify for a prize to be given out at the REVEAL event in February!

CHALLENGE #3:  Submit impressions of the collections

• This is an anonymous CHALLENGE. We're calling it a CHALLENGE because it will offer the public an opportunity to think more deeply about the works seen during gameplay. In fact, we hope you’ll go out to see the works in real life. That's why we're playing at a time of year when the number of works on exhibit is at it's peak. And that's why we are posting information about the venues. We'll provide an anonymous form with three questions. There are no right or wrong answers. One question will ask if you perceive a theme or a through line in each collection. Another will offer a list of words for you to pick from to help describe your response to each collection. The third question will be open ended so that you will be able to describe what each collection brings to mind. We’ll share the aggregate data from these questions at the big REVEAL event.​

​Highlights of public participation in Red Dot Challenge during Season 1:

• FOLLOW the players and their collections in real time on social media.​
• COMMENT on the works of art and the emerging collections as soon as players post their choices.
• TAG the artists. People watching the game on social media will be encouraged to seek out and then tag artists represented in the collections.
• VISIT local venues to see what the artwork looks like IRL.
• FIND new artists and new venues to see art in our area.
• CONSIDER if each collection has a theme. Are there elements that tie each collection together? 
• TRY to identify which players are associated with which collections. The players names will be public but they will not be associated with their collection during gameplay. See if you can figure out who’s collecting what before the big REVEAL event. Find out at the REVEAL in February.
• JOIN our one hour interactive ZOOM podcasts covering Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 on Tuesday, November 12th at 7pm, Tuesday, December 10th at 7pm and Tuesday, January 14th @7pm.
• ATTEND the REVEAL event in early February. Details about this event will be announced soon.
  • HEAR the players talk about their collections and their experiences playing the game.
  • LEARN how people from all over the community responded to the collections.
  • SEE which players are associated with collections.
  • PLAY a "Lightning Round" of Red Dot Challenge!

​Ultimately game organizers hope people will purchase art in the real world to start or expand their collections.

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​

Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​

We're almost ready to launch Season 1 of our 2024-2025 social media fantasy art collecting game, Red Dot Challenge. 

The opportunity to play the game will be posted and sent out soon.

The first twelve people to complete our form will qualify to participate as players in Season 1. Everyone else will be able to join the fun on social media.

Are you ready?

​Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​

Description of the game: Red Dot Challenge is a fantasy art collecting game with a social media twist that takes place in real time at real places with real art. Everyone participates alongside the players!

Object of the game: Each player must identify a fantasy art collection depicting at least seven works of art that, taken together, is in some way meaningful to the player. Players must complete their fantasy art collection within the timeframe of the game and without exceeding their fantasy budget.

Purposes of the game: Red Dot Challenge is a fun way to learn about artists and art venues while following the players’ progress. The game encourages players and the public to think deeply about art and assess the developing fantasy art collections in real time. Game organizers hope engagement with the game will lead people to purchase art in real life.

​In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

NEW elements in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 as compared to the pilot season of Red Dot Challenge (played from December, 1 2023 through January 31, 2024):

• The number of players is increasing from three to twelve.
• The number of fantasy budget levels is increasing from one to three: $1,000; $5,000 and $10,000.
• Four players will participate at each of the three levels.
• Social media components and other elements have been added that encourage the public to participate in the game.​
• Players’ names will be public but the names will not be associated with their respective fantasy art collections until the “Reveal” event held in February.
• The public will be invited to attempt to determine which collector is associated with each fantasy art collection.
• The public will be encouraged to engage with the fantasy art collections as they develop in real time on social media.
• The public will be offered opportunities to compare fantasy art collections within and between fantasy budget categories.
• Results of accumulated public engagement will be presented at the Reveal event.

Resources/Tools:

• Each player will have access to their own folder on google drive accessible only to the player and the game administrator. The folder will include a copy of these rules, a simple fantasy budget worksheet to help each player track their expenses and one sub-folder for pictures.
• Players must provide their own “camera” to take digital pictures. Phone cameras are fine.

The number of players & fantasy budget levels:

• There will be three fantasy budget levels: $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000.
• Four players will collect at each fantasy budget level. (12 players in total.)

What is considered art?

Generally speaking, for the purposes of the game, objects created with imagination and skill that express important ideas or feelings may be included as long as the object meets all the other requirements of the game. Players are encouraged to be thoughtful and discriminating but not overly restrictive.

• Objects produced in multiples (e.g., prints) with numbered editions of less than 200 may be included. Open editions (e.g., posters) and commercially manufactured objects (lamps, pens, postage stamps, mugs, jewelry, etc.) may NOT be included in the game even if they are rare by virtue of their age, media/material or origin and even though their aesthetic interest may be high. (Elements of this rule may be modified in subsequent rounds.)
• Works created recently as well as older works may be included.
• Works being sold where the proceeds go in whole or in part to the artist as well as works being sold where the proceeds benefit someone other than the artist (e.g., in an antique shop) may be included. 
• Works made in any time period may be included. 
• Three dimensional works as well as two dimensional works may be included. 
• Works in any media or style may be included.

NOTES: 

1. It’s not customary for local photographers to print in editions. The reasons are complicated. Although local photographers do not commonly produce their images in numbered, limited editions their works are rarely printed in excess of 200. So, for the purposes of this game photographs already printed (hard copy) and displayed for sale in venues around our region may be included. The price should be calculated framed, if that is how it is presented at the venue, even if unframed prints are also offered. 
2. Sculptural objects made by hand (e.g., ceramics, gems, glass, metalworks, textiles, paper)  that have a practical/everyday use (e.g., a mug) in addition to being an art object may be included. 
3. Some artists reproduce their original work by scanning and printing it in an open (unnumbered, unlimited) edition. Doing so allows these artists to sell a hard copy of their image at a reduced price as compared to the cost of the original work. If the printed object is on display at a venue, the printed reproduction may be included in the game. The price should be calculated framed, if that is how it is presented at the venue, even if unframed prints are also offered. Similar rules apply with works created digitally and then printed for presentation/sale. 

How players identify works of art for their fantasy art collections:

• Players must visit venues IN PERSON to identify work(s) for their fantasy art collection. Players may visit as many or as few venues as they wish to make their choices.
• ALL publicly accessible (physical) venues in the metro Rochester area (Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans Counties only) are qualified. Venues may be “galleries” or any other publicly accessible venues exhibiting art for sale. For example, coffee shops, boutiques, retail stores, offices are all included.
• Works chosen for a fantasy art collection must have a publicly accessible price (label or list) available near the work at the venue location.
• To identify works for their fantasy art collection players must take a clear picture of the desired work "in situ" (e.g., on a wall in the venue). 
• If the photograph of the artwork includes price information, the artist’s name and the title of the work, then only one picture is necessary. If any of the required information is missing, players must take as many additional pictures as necessary to capture that information.
• Once a work of art has been identified by a player it may not be chosen again by another player in the same fantasy budget category. However, the same work of art may appear again, once, in each of the other two fantasy budget categories. The maximum times a single work of art may appear in the game is three with one instance in each fantasy budget category.

NOTE ON PHOTOGRAPHING ART: 

A limited number of venues that exhibit art for sale do not allow photographs. Obviously, if the venue does not allow photography, the artworks in that venue may not be included in the game. Players are advised to verify if photography is permitted at each venue they visit before taking any pictures.

Second, game administrators understand the environment inside some venues may not be ideal for photographing artworks. Indeed, some artworks framed behind glass may also present a challenge to photograph. Players are advised to do the best they can to capture the work. In every case, players should make sure the labels and other printed information is at legible. Unclear information will disqualify the object.

• Artworks on exhibit with “price on request” information do not qualify for the game.
• Artworks for sale by the artist privately (e.g., a private studio sale or a studio sale where the price of the work is not posted on-site) do not qualify for the game. 
• However, artworks exhibited in an artist's studio when the studio is open to the public and when the work is either labeled with a price or a price list is available in the exhibition space may be included.
• Artworks offered online (e.g., an Instagram story sale) that are not on exhibit at a physical venue where a player can visit in person and capture the work with a photograph do not qualify for the game.
• Commissioned works are excluded from this game.
• Works chosen must be photographed and posted before the exhibition closes to the public.
• A work that has been purchased by a real collector (but is still on public exhibit) MAY be included in the game.

• Click here to see a list of most venues that offer art for sale in our area. Not all venues will have work on exhibit or for sale during the time frame of the game. However, this list will give you a good start finding venues.
• PRO TIP:  The largest exhibits in the metro Rochester area are likely to be at Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, Lumiere Photo, Main Street Arts and Mill Arts Center. These four venues alone will probably account for a combined total of approximately 1,000 works of art or more. Players, however, are not limited to these particular venues.

How players add a work of art to their fantasy art collection:
​

• To add a work of art to their fantasy art collection an image of the artwork must be posted to their designated online fantasy art collection album. Once a work is added it cannot be deleted or exchanged. All postings are final.
• Players must provide the name of the artist; the title of the work; the name of the venue where the work was photographed; and the price of the work.
• The name of the artist will not initially be identified with the image of the artwork in the fantasy art collection albums on social media when the art work is posted. Members of the public will be invited to identify the artist by either visiting the venue or finding a picture of the artwork on a player’s instagram post. If the artist is not identified by a member of the public within a few days, a game administrator will identify the artist. Supporting & promoting artists are both key elements of the game.

A few additional notes about the fantasy budgets
​

• Players are NOT required to expend their entire fantasy budget amount but they must identify and post at least seven works during gameplay. Players deduct the retail price of each work of art from their fantasy budget.
• Once a work has been identified and posted it cannot be replaced with another work. All decisions are final once a work has been posted to their fantasy art collection.
• NO PRICE NEGOTIATION IS ALLOWED. The publicly posted price is to be used in every instance. Each player must track their own fantasy budget. (Each player will have access to a simple template spreadsheet in their folder on google drive to help them track their fantasy budget.)
• The players should NOT add sales tax in their calculations. Only the retail price should be used to track the fantasy budget allocations.

Will there be “winners” or “losers” in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1?

• The game will not recognize the notion that some works of art or some fantasy art collections may be “better” or “worse” than others.​
• Members of the public will be invited to participate in three challenges. Two of the challenges are somewhat competitive and require following gameplay. One of the challenges,however, will involve sharing personal responses and feedback about the fantasy art collections. Information about the three challenges will be posted on RedDotChallenge.org

Red Dot Challenge will offer expanded elements in Season 1 that build on the pilot season:
​

• The number of players is increasing from three to twelve
• The number of fantasy budget levels is increasing from one to three: $1,000; $5,000 and $10,000.
• Players names will be public but the names will not be associated with their respective collections until the REVEAL event in February. The public will be invited to attempt to determine which collector is associated with each collection.
• The public will be encouraged to engage with the collections as they develop in real time on social media.
• The public will be offered opportunities to compare collections within and between budget categories.
• Results of accumulated public engagement will be presented at the REVEAL ​event.

How Red Dot Challenge will work in Season 1:
​

• 12 players will be allocated across 3 fantasy budget categories ($1,000, $5,000 and $10,000) with 4 players collecting at each level.
• Each player uses their fantasy budget to acquire at least seven works of art.
• Players visit venues located in metro Rochester in person to "acquire" works of art.
• Players acquire works of art by taking a photograph of the work & posting it to their collection page on social media.

Organizers expect these additions will result in greater excitement and greater public engagement in the game. 

More details about the game and how the public can participate in real time will be released soon.

​Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​

In case you haven't been following our announcements too closely, Season 1 of Red Dot Challenge will run from November 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025 with a big public REVEAL event in early February, 2025. Why then, you ask?

Well, during this timeframe there is more art offered for sale than at any other time of the year - BY FAR! In fact, thousands of works of art are presented at over 100 venues in the Metro Rochester area between November 1st and the end of January. So, it's the PERFECT time to look at art and maybe do a little fantasizing about what you'd love to own!

Okay, now a little background about the game itself for those catching up...

Each player must "acquire" a collection of at least seven works of art that, taken together, is in some way meaningful to the player within the timeframe of the game and without exceeding their fantasy budget. (More on the fantasy budgets and how players "acquire" collections in future posts.) Among other things, players must visit venues that sell art IN PERSON. Yup. I-R-L.

ALL publicly accessible venues in the metro Rochester area (Monroe, Geneseo, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, or Wayne counties) are qualified so long as the venue allows viewers to take photographs of the artworks. Venues may be “galleries” or any other publicly accessible venues exhibiting art for sale. For example, coffee shops, boutiques, retail stores, offices are all included.

Rochester Art Collectors keeps a running list of all the venues in our area on our SOURCES page. 

Beginning now, in early September, we will start hearing about the art exhibitions scheduled to run during game play. Here are just three examples with a combination of over 700 works expected to be exhibited:

​VENUE: Rochester Contemporary Art Center (Rochester, NY)
EXHIBITION: 34th Annual Members Exhibition
NUMBER OF WORKS EXPECTED: 300+
EXHIBITION DATES: December 6, 2024 through February 15, 2025

VENUE: Main Street Arts (Clifton Springs, NY)
EXHIBITION: Small Works 2024
NUMBER OF WORKS EXPECTED: 232 artists from 30 states
EXHIBITION DATES: November 2, 2024 through December 21, 2024

​​VENUE: Lumiere Photos (Rochester, NY)
EXHIBITION: Small Show 2024
NUMBER OF WORKS EXPECTED: 200+
EXHIBITION DATES: November 1, 2024 through December 21, 2024

Remember, ALL publicly accessible venues that present art for sale (and allow photography) in the metro Rochester area (Monroe, Geneseo, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, or Wayne counties) are qualified to patriciate in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1

​Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is a program of Rochester Art Collectors.
​
Participating in Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is FREE and open to the public. None of the players are paying to play or receiving any compensation. The program is privately funded and entirely non-commercial. Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 is not a fundraiser of any kind for any organization.

​The works of art chosen by Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 players for their fantasy art collections are not being purchased with real money. Red Dot Challenge is a FANTASY art collecting GAME. Players are having fun PRETENDING to buy/collect the art and modeling art collecting behaviors.

In all instances the artists retain the copyright for their work as well as all other rights and privileges provided by the law.

If you are interested in purchasing a work of art you've seen during Red Dot Challenge, Season 1 gameplay, please inquire at the venue where the work is exhibited.​​​