A Call For Entries

Today lets discuss the design of fine art competitions, those cash cows held annually within the creative arts communities, and what their purpose really is. I’ll use photo competitions only as an example and because they are familiar. In reality, they’re no different from writing competitions or painting competitions or any other competition in the art world. When we enter art competitions, we’re doing it for several reasons. First, we’d like to see how we stack up against our peers. There is, within our respective mediums, a wide range of talent. From outstanding to mediocre, we’d all like to think we’re good. Ironically, in the world of art contests, we are. More on that later. Secondly, by their very nature, competitions create rivals. We enter competitions to win competitions. We don’t spend entry fee money in the hopes of losing.

But that’s not the real purpose of these contests. Can you say making money for the corporate sponsor(s)? We’d all like to think that art contests and juried art shows are for the promotion of the specific medium associated with said corporate sponsor(s). In fact, they are, but that promotion is secondary to the specific goal of the competition. Interestingly, many of these competitions shield themselves under the guise of non-profit. If they are non-profit, where does the entry fee money go? If a competition charges $100 per entry and there are over 20,000 entries, where does the money go? Simple math is very easy. Take 20,000, multiply that by 100. Deduct competition awards in the neighborhood of $15,000. Is it that expensive to run a photo contest online? Throw in the financial support of corporate sponsors and partners (a nice little gift to those sponsors and partners at tax time) and you see how the money adds up. Actually, it adds up as it pours in.

Back to that secondary purpose:  promoting the specific medium associated with said corporate sponsor(s).  This secondary promotional tool includes, due to the large number of applicants in the various competitions, the thin spreading of winners:  winners of category, winners of subcategory, winners of divisions, winners of show, winners of overall talent, winners of most outstanding talent, winners of individual achievement, winners of awareness, winners of technical achievement, winners of honorable mention, winners of winners, and of course all of the various winners of the individual professional and non-professional categories.  Not meaning to be disrespectful to all of the other winners left off this winnings list, please accept my apology here for your overlooked winnings.  Everyone’s a winner.  This is not meant to take away from the winners.  There is fine talent in the art world deserving of top billing.  Sometimes they get it.   Sometimes they don’t.  

By creating a large and deep winners pool via the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention format (remember, you did not win any money - that was handed to the top three dogs of the show in the best of show and best overall talent and best up and coming talent categories), the competition is already lining itself up for next year’s entries.  See the rivals comment in the first paragraph.  The bottom line and the end result of this secondary promotional tactic is - yes, you’ve guessed it - making even more money for the corporate sponsor(s).  

When entering juried shows, you should remember a couple of things.  Never enter a juried art show where there is a sole juror.  This is a good example why: if your entry in a photography contest is of a stunning brunette and the juror is involved in a bitter divorce proceeding with a brunette, what are your chances of winning?  If that divorce battle involves an attractive blonde, what are the odds if your entry is of a blonde moment?  If, during the jury process, your juror started the day with a nasty phone call from his friendly banker, what are the chances of success with an entry related to finance?  You do not know the personal influences in the life of a sole juror.  Stay away from single juror competitions.  It’s not that multiple juror competitions are much better, it’s only that they are slightly better.

Multi-juried shows can feature jurors who buy fine art (this act is subjective and can advance or demote your art in an instant), owners of contemporary art galleries (how subjective is that), architects (keep that in mind if you’re a portrait person and could care less about architecture), magazine editors, and so on.  Yes, there’s a certain vanity involved here, but the underlying theme, in addition to the vanity, is that these people are collectively known as gatekeepers.  The gate is opened or it is kept closed, at the sole benefit of the juror or at the sole expense of the artist.  You, the artist, do not get to decide.  Unless, of course, you are the darling of the gatekeeper.  

Do not let these words discourage you from entering a competition online or a competition where winners and selections are promoted through a hardcover edition or any of the other competitions designed to win (money for the corporate sponsor[s]).  

You are likely to experience a range of emotions equal to the range of talent.  From sensational to mediocre.  It’s amazing how often mediocre is considered great.  It’s amazing how telephone poles and wires on a polluted city street are considered trees in the nature category.  Do you have an image of a personal personality?  Forget it.  You’ll need a sensational personality to qualify in the personality category.  Try not to scratch your head too hard.  It’s amazing how the amazement never ceases to amaze me.

Art exhibitions are a great way to get your work out there without the hassles and wide range of emotions generally associated with art competitions.  Because they are exhibits rather than competitions, the rivals factor is thrown out the window.  Generally not associated with cash prizes, art exhibitors are placed on equal footing.   Well run exhibitions promote the concept of art exhibition, plain and simple.  Not only are these a joy to enter, they are a joy to attend, as another of their many beneficial purposes is the social interaction between artist and community.  

1) The more rules of composition that you break, the more likely you are to win a contest.

2) The more mediocre your work, the greater your chance of becoming a gatekeeper’s darling.

3) Don’t forget your entry fee, payable online.

Better yet, save that entry fee money, take in an art exhibit,  and enjoy the comforts provided by your personal belief system.