New Years Resolutions for Artists
December 3, 2009
by Sylvia White
The beginning of a new year always puts me in a pensive, introspective mood. It just feels like the right time to sit back and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, and develop a plan to move forward towards new goals. But, being a creative thinker can have it’s drawbacks during this time of reflection. It’s easy to overlook how far you’ve come, unless you develop a quantifiable system of measuring. For a lot of artists, achieving a goal “doesn’t really count,” because by the time they get there, they have already upped the ante and set a new goal. It is precisely for that reason I suggest you sit down and WRITE DOWN you realistic career goals for 2010 and the resolutions you will have to complete to achieve them. Then, make another list for 2020, the goals you want to achieve in the next decade. Put each list in an envelope to be opened on January 1, 2011 and January 1, 2020 respectively. Make it a tradition to spend New Year’s Day as your day to appreciate how far you have come and how much you have done.
For most emerging and mid career artists, the single most important thing you can do for yourself is decide to spend 2-3 hours per week “doing your homework.” My gift to you this holiday season is a fairly extensive list of resources for you to peruse on a monthly basis, searching for viable opportunities. For artists that need to develop a “paper trail” for their resume, there is no better way than entering juried shows and competitions. There are a number of websites that offer exhibition opportunities for artists. Sometimes, a fee is involved to enter the show, other times it is a call for exhibition proposals that requires no fee. The fun thing about checking these websites frequently, is the odd and/or unique opportunity that comes up once in awhile that might be just perfect for you…a chocolate bar company looking for an artistic wrapper, a three week residency in Japan (all expenses paid), the opportunity to be an artist in residence in Yosemite National Park, an historic penitentiary in Philadelphia looking for site specific sculptors to transform the jail cells, the US Mint looking for artists to design the new quarter or submissions of art for vending machines…yes, all of these are real opportunities that I have found on these websites.
1. www.westaf.org/artistsregisterblog/
2. www.cac.ca.gov/artistcall/
3. www.artcalendar.com
4. www.artdeadlineslist.com
5. www.callforentry.org/festivals.php?apply=yes
6. re-title.typepad.com/opportunities/
7. www.collegeart.org/opportunities/
8. www.artshow.com/juriedshows/index.html
9. www.artdeadlines.com/
10. www.theartlist.com/
11. www.imss.org/exhopp.htm
12. southbendart.org/index.php?lt=1&p=see_exhibitionopportunities
13. www.indplsartcenter.org/Exhibitions_and_Events/For_Artists/
14. www.artperk.com/ListingSearchResults.aspx?lt=1
15. www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/index.htm
16. artistsregister.com/opportunities.phtml
17. www.chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/callforartists
18. www.azarts.gov/artists/opportunities.htm
19. www.lacountyarts.org/
20. www.artscenteronline.org/optional/index.cfm
21. www.asingularcreation.com/list.htm
22. artistsregister.com/opportunities.phtml
23. www.dezeen.com/
24. www.dart.fine-art.com/messagelist.asp?intboartid=21
25. www.callsforart.com/
26. www.zapplication.org/shows.phtml
27. www.juriedartservices.com/
28. www.artandeducation.net/announcements
29. www.artscuttlebutt.com/event/main/
30. www.artslant.com/ny/venues/list?letter=s&listtype=gallery&rel=nofollow&tag=emerging
31. www.artandartdeadlines.com
These sites changes frequently, so don’t just rely on my recommendations, but do internet searches of your own to discover constantly new sites that are being developed. Some of the sites require a “premium” sign up for more listings, but I have never found that necessary, as there is plenty of free information out there. Make it your resolution this year to submit to 3-4 opportunities per month. This is not an activity that you will ever give up, kind of like painting the Golden Gate Bridge, once you finish, it’s time to start all over. At the end of the year, you will have a concrete way of judging your success by admiring the activity on your bio. Remember, this is just a start, happy hunting!
Sylvia White is Founder and Executive Director of www.ArtAdvice.com since 1997. ArtAdvice.com was designed as a free resource to help visual artists develop the skills they need to manage their own careers. Articles of interest, resources and artist opportunities are updated frequently.
February 8, 2010 at 11:06 am
Sylvia…… I love creating art ever since I can remember. But I’ve never created for anyone other than myself (a form of release and “me” time). I find that nothing in life (other than my children) are as fullfilling as when I’m spending time working on a piece from my heart and soul. I’ve never really shared my art either, except now on facebook. It’s always been just a personal journey. However, I have considered some juried shows more recently and you have really opened up a part of me that says “I CAN do this”. On top of that you have given me an entire listing of WHERE I can do this. So, thank you so much for your words of inspiration and encouragement in helping someone like myself find a starting point.