Business of Art
Many of us are intimidated by deadlines!
For me, it began several years ago when my business started to gain momentum. Between responding to inquiries about my services and then setting a time to confer with the interested party, providing resources and materials to help artists, posting my clients’ accomplishments and/or upcoming events on Facebook, researching galleries across the country (an ongoing chore, as there are new locations opening every month), visiting studios and exhibitions, attending (and sometimes presenting at) conferences, jurying and judging shows, organizing and installing exhibits, sitting on panels, and trying to evaluate new opportunities…it can become quite overwhelming!
For the past few months, I have missed the Rapid River deadline due to a hectic schedule and overload of work. For this issue, though, I was determined to carve out some time to get my article written. And it occurred to me that sharing my thoughts about deadlines might help readers. So below are a few tips.
When you initially receive a deadline, figure out the estimated time it will take you to complete the task. Then check your calendar, assessing whatever other obligations you may have prior to the deadline. If you realize you cannot meet the deadline, sort it out right away. Sometimes a deadline can be extended.
If someone asks to visit your studio, or set a meeting with you at a particular time, politely explain if you have pending deadlines and apologize that you simply cannot be available. Whenever possible, be sure to offer alternate dates/times.
I have found that when a particularly challenging task with a deadline comes my way, it often helps to break it down into segments, sometimes working just 30-45 minutes and then setting it aside until the next day. Often I return to the job with fresh ideas and, dealt with bit by bit, the work becomes less onerous.
Hopefully, having now written about deadlines, I won’t have to miss another one any time soon!
Contact Wendy H. Outland, visual arts consultant, at imwhoknowsart@gmail.com