 Always a planner, I’m looking ahead to the New Year now and helping artists set goals for 2021. After such a chaotic year, it makes sense to build some structure and planning into your creative life.
A good goal stretches you because it helps you figure out what you really want. For example, if you have a strong resume and a coherent body of work, your goal might be to have a solo show at a museum. Articulating that goal clarifies your intentions and makes you think: “how will I do that?” By outlining the steps that will help you reach your goal, you put yourself in motion. You might start to research local and regional museums to find those whose mission and purpose align with your work. You’ll see whether they have submission guidelines on their websites. If not, you’ll go to their staff listing and find the name of an exhibitions coordinator or curator whom you could write or call with questions. But maybe you’re not far along in your career. Your primary goal for 2021 might be to develop a coherent body of work. Again the challenge is to figure out the steps you need to take in order to make that happen. You might decide to identify and remove obstacles that prevent you from spending more time on your art. You might need to say NO to less important commitments that drain your energy. You might want to get objective feedback on your work from people you trust. Try to understand what has to change in your daily life in order for your art to grow. Most important, don’t hide your goals in a folder on your desktop. Write them down and keep them visible in your creative space. Happy New Year! ~ Mary Mary Edwards, Ph.D Career & Life Coach for Artists “Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People” Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards |