Award Winning Artists: A Conspiracy Against You?

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Concept/OK: Residency Artists with curator Alison Hearst — Narciso Argüelles, Sarah Williams Hearn,
 Gregory Ruppe at the Hardesty Arts Center.

Ever feel like something is rigged? Like artists were chosen before the contest was even announced? 
I've heard the grumbling and gotten questions that implysuspicion about artist winners from OVAC’s programs.  Considering fairness, here's some of thefoundational characteristics that may explain some of the reasons why the sameartists get selected for many things:
1. Theyapply.
This may sound obvious, but those with the best chances applyto everything that they are eligible for or that fits their artwork.
Meanwhile, many rule themselves out; deciding theywouldn't get in anyway or it's not worth the effort.

Award winning artists frequently apply for manyopportunities for each one they receive. Hard work really is required toreceive big rewards.
Forinstance, only nine artists have submitted to all three of our Art 365 exhibitions and not gotten selected.That means the several hundred artists who applied only applied once or twice.Similarly, few artists apply repeatedly to the OVAC Fellowship (worth $5,000). 2009Fellowship winner Kate Rivers submitted seven times before receiving the award!

2. They submitoutstanding work samples. Award winning artists’ images are clear, well, lit,and show their work in the best possible perspective. Or their time-basedartwork samples are carefully chosen with easy to understand audio.

3. Their writtenmaterials describe their artwork and professional practice clearly andthoughtfully.
Award winning artists take time to explain their work in artist statements andwork sample lists. They show care in their narratives and cover letters.  
Moreover, artists who address the reasoning behind their work with nuance distinguish themselves. They explain why they chose certain materials, processes, or themes. They show an engagement with the contemporary world, timeless aspects of the human condition, or bold technique that goes beyond their simple enjoyment of making the artwork itself.

Seesamples of past award winning artists’ proposals here.
These three characteristics obviously can't explain theentire process, but without these an artist rarely stands out in a pool ofapplications.  Artistic selection is inherently a subjective process.  Paraphrasing the loose quotation of a recent guest curator, there are too many types of art for us to love them all. 

To those who do follow the above and don't getselected for opportunities, I hope you continue working and find ways to stay motivated. Findexhibitions, grants and awards that seem to resonate with your artisticpractice and career stage. Continue to hone your written materials. And,know that most art world opportunities aren't application-based, so youropportunities may arise at any time.
We asked artists to talk about this persistence, and specificallyrejection, in a pastblog series found here.