Competitions; be in it to win it?
Episode 20: There are many different ways to develop your career as an artist, exhibitions, art fairs, social media and so on. Another possible avenue is through entering competitions.
Winning or being placed can mean prizes, inclusion in exhibitions and certainly some kudos. But is it all worth it? listen to Peter and Laura talking about their experiences in the competitive world of art
Peter’s a veteran when it comes to competitions (sometimes winning and sometimes not!) and in this episode he and Laura discuss the best way to stack the competition odds in your favour, a few golden rules to follow and how to spot the scams.
In this episode…
Competitions come in all shapes and sizes as do the prizes. Do some research and you can subscribe to mailings to keep you updated about competitions relevant to your technique, interests and experience level. It’s best to focus on those competitions where you are likely to shine rather than adopting a scattergun approach.
Competitions are a fantastic way of getting your work in front of a new audience. For an artist who relies on commissions like Peter, competitions are an essential part of the business. Weigh up what each competition will do for your business and see any entries very much as a business expense. If you do win, the benefits are short lived so don’t be modest: ride the success and shout about it!
The chances of winning vary enormously with the top competitions being both expensive to enter and fiercely competitive. By contrast, smaller competitions may be offering wall space in a show rather than cash, solo show or residency prizes and competition will be far less aggressive and entry cheap. If you are starting out, try the smaller competitions (looking locally is a good idea) and you’ll find your feet without too much expense and with much better odds.
Entry isn’t the only cost when you enter a competition. Take the time to read the terms and conditions properly and do some sums. Take into account things like framing costs, delivery and collection of work. Also check you really want to win the prize on offer; don’t land yourself with a solo show or a month’s residency if you can’t deliver on the former or enjoy the latter!
Improve your chances of winning;
1. Read the rules and follow them to the letter.
2. Take good, clear and honest photos of your work.
3. Look at previous entries and the work of the judges to check the competition is relevant to you.
4. Don’t create work just to suit the competition, stay true to yourself and don’t compromise.
Always do a swift check on the internet before you enter; there are scams out there and others will flag them as such. Always read terms and conditions properly and beware of prizes that may not exist, hidden fees, signing over your copyright or anything else that seems uncomfortable or too good to be true!
Take Aways…
Choose a competition that suits you and your work, read all the T&Cs and don’t be downhearted if you don’t win, it’s never personal. Brush yourself off and try again!
