Sound Familiar? Didn't Get The [Residency, Show, Grant…]

From an artist in my Creative Connections Mentoring group: Stepping outside my comfort zone, with my art, and saying "why not me" to potential opportunities comes with both surprises and disappointments. I'm trying to keep that in perspective as I just received disappointing news this morning. I applied for a residency next year, but just received word that I was not awarded a spot. So now I need to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back into my studio…

My response: There’s no getting around it, it’s HARD to hear that you didn’t reach one of your goals. it stings less over time but it never completely goes away. I love that you’re already talking about dusting yourself off, because the next part is the most valuable: See if you can figure out why.

It’s possible that your art just isn’t ready for that opportunity yet, but there may be other factors that have nothing to do with the art at all. Put yourself in the place of the person who is awarding the residency. I don’t know which one you applied for, but I know some spots are often given to artists who have already been there before. That’s easier for the organization because they’re a known quantity so it’s easier.

Perhaps they got too many applications using the same medium and wanted more variety. Maybe some of the spots went to friends of friends, which is common. And they might have chosen local artists because there’s less hassle with the supply and equipment questions.

I think you see where I’m going with this. What other questions might help figure out why?