These days I seldom submit my work to juried arts shows. When I do so, I follow a few guidelines: it must be local, it must cost less than U$15, and it must be a gallery or organization I want to support. These guidelines are new. After flushing a considerable amount of money into juried arts shows for a couple of years, I have concluded that the frequent rejections, low exposure to potential collectors and low sales potential are not worth it for me.
Below are a few reasons I now seldom submit to juried arts shows:
Reason #1: Costs
One of the main reasons why entering juried exhibitions can be harmful is the substantial cost associated with submission fees and the preparation of artwork. Although entering one or two juried contests every year will not break the bank, the costs of doing it frequently add up: printing, framing, then shipping or driving the art to and from location. Juried art exhibits vary in price. Low-cost or local, from local art organizations, community galleries, or smaller-scale juried exhibitions typically charge ranging $15 to $50 to submit up to five pieces. Mid-range, regional or national, often hosted by established art institutions or organizations, may charge entry fees in the range of $50 to $100 for up to five images. Prestigious juried exhibitions with a global reach or significant art prizes can range from $100 to several hundred dollars per artwork, or even more.
Reason #2: Discouragement and loss of artistic freedom
Juried exhibits can be highly competitive, with a limited number of artists accepted out of a large pool of applicants. This can result in a sense of rejection and frustration for artists who are repeatedly denied entry. Constant rejection can erode an artist’s confidence and motivation, affecting his overall creativity and output.This may even lead some artists to question their abilities and whether they should continue pursuing a career in art.
Juried exhibits often require artists to adhere to specific themes, guidelines, or artistic styles determined by the jurors or curators. This can stifle an artist’s creative freedom, and compromise her authenticity and originality.
Reason #3: The promise of exposure often fails to deliver
The art market can be unpredictable, and acceptance into juried exhibits does not guarantee increased sales or market success. For the most part, those attending juried arts shows are artist themselves, and artists want to sell, not to buy, art. One may invest significant time and energy into preparing for these exhibitions, only to find that they do not lead to significant sales or a broader client base.
After carefully monitoring my website during the exhibits I was accepted into, I have noticed that the number of website visits and sales did not increase. One should be careful and not assume, or believe without evidence, that collectors will be interested in checking out the artist’s website just because her piece is on display at a gallery for a limited number of days
Reason #4: Art contests offer false validation
Art, as they say, lies in the eye of the beholder; it’s subjective. There are only two people an artist needs to please: herself and her collectors. The judges in art contests, and the other artist who keep tab on who won what, are unlikely to purchase any of the winning art pieces. And the public often does not either, unless it’s art they connect with. And to connect with a piece of art, one does not need to see a ribbon on it within he context of a juried show.
Winning in art contests doesn’t validate the artist’s talent. Instead, these contests often capitalize on the artist’s ego, and yearning for validation. To me, genuine validation stems from those who value an art piece enough to buy it.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, while juried exhibits promise exposure and recognition, artists and art businesses must carefully weigh the potential downsides. The financial costs, emotional toll of repeated rejections, creative constraints, and uncertain returns on investment can make participating in these exhibitions a risky proposition for artists’ business. It is essential for artists to consider their individual circumstances and long-term goals when deciding whether to enter juried exhibits and to explore alternative avenues for building their careers in the art world.
The FEATURED IMAGE is my attempt to use AI to create an image with prompts 😅. It first appeared on this blog on 2023/01/20 in an article about Artificial Intelligence and stock photography.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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