For artists navigating their careers, opportunities often seem like lifelines in a competitive and uncertain industry. Exhibitions, residencies, collaborations, and commissions appear at first glance as unequivocal “yes” moments. But not every opportunity is the right one. Saying yes to everything can dilute your energy, misalign your career trajectory, and even perpetuate a scarcity mindset—a deeply ingrained belief that every chance must be seized because another might not come.
Aligning opportunities with your career goals requires more than enthusiasm; it demands discernment and strategy. In this article, we’ll explore why saying yes to everything is a trap, how scarcity mindset impacts decision-making, and how to evaluate and select opportunities that serve your long-term goals.
The Trap of Saying Yes to Everything
When opportunities arise, the instinct to agree is often driven by a fear of missing out. This reaction can be compounded by external pressures: the constant hustle culture in the arts, the need to stay visible, or the insecurity of unpredictable income streams.
As Hans Abbing points out in Why Are Artists Poor?, the precarious nature of artistic careers creates a psychological burden. “Artists are socialized to accept low pay or even no pay, valuing exposure over remuneration. This is a dangerous dynamic that leads to overcommitment and burnout.”
Saying yes indiscriminately might initially feel productive, but it can lead to taking on projects that drain resources, distract from long-term goals, or don’t align with your artistic vision. Worse, it can reinforce cycles of undervaluation and exploitation in the arts ecosystem. For example, overcommitting to unpaid or low-paying opportunities leaves less time and energy for projects that advance your professional and financial goals.
Scarcity Mindset: Why Artists Feel Compelled to Say Yes
The scarcity mindset—the belief that opportunities are rare and finite—is pervasive in the arts. Rooted in structural inequities, this mindset is reinforced by societal narratives about artists needing to “struggle” for their craft. A 2021 survey by the Freelancers Union found that 71% of creative freelancers, including artists, accepted jobs below their desired pay rate out of fear of losing future work or visibility.
Cultural theorist Linda Tuhiwai Smith, in Decolonizing Methodologies, argues that scarcity is a byproduct of colonial and capitalist systems that create artificial competition for resources. “The myth of scarcity keeps artists competing for crumbs, reinforcing hierarchies that prevent equitable distribution of resources.”
This mindset often manifests as saying yes to opportunities out of fear rather than intention. While some level of financial pragmatism is necessary, artists must learn to distinguish between real scarcity and a perceived lack of abundance.
Combatting Scarcity Mindset:
1. Shift From Scarcity to Abundance Thinking
Recognize that opportunities are not singular, one-time events. When you say no to an opportunity that doesn’t serve you, you create space for better-aligned opportunities to arise. As Gilda Williams writes in How to Write About Contemporary Art, “The career of an artist is a marathon, not a sprint. The decisions you make today shape the narrative of your practice tomorrow.”
2. Track Your Wins
Documenting your achievements—exhibitions, sales, residencies—can help counteract the fear of missing out by providing tangible evidence of your progress. Reflecting on these wins reinforces the idea that your career is growing and that opportunities are not as scarce as they seem.
3. Focus on Relationships, Not Transactions
Instead of chasing every gig, invest in building meaningful relationships with curators, galleries, and collaborators who understand your work. A 2019 study by Artsy revealed that 65% of artists’ gallery representation came through personal recommendations rather than unsolicited applications.
Evaluating Opportunities: A Strategic Framework
When opportunities arise, use a structured framework to assess their alignment with your career goals. This approach ensures that your decisions are intentional, not reactive.
1. Does This Opportunity Align With My Goals?
• Short-Term Goals: Does it help you gain skills, visibility, or income? For example, teaching a workshop might not advance your artistic practice directly but could provide financial stability.
• Long-Term Goals: Does it contribute to your larger vision? For instance, exhibiting in a gallery known for your medium or style may help establish your credibility within the art world.
2. Does This Opportunity Reflect My Values?
Consider whether the opportunity aligns with your core values as an artist. If community engagement or social justice is central to your practice, an opportunity that conflicts with those principles might not be worth pursuing—even if it offers financial gain.
3. What Are the Trade-Offs?
Every opportunity requires time, energy, and resources. Ask:
• Will this project take time away from more fulfilling or strategic endeavors?
• Are the financial or emotional costs greater than the benefits?
• What might you need to sacrifice in terms of creative freedom or personal priorities?
4. Who Benefits From This Opportunity?
Evaluate whether the opportunity truly supports your growth or if it primarily benefits the institution or collaborator offering it. Unpaid labor framed as “exposure” often benefits organizations more than individual artists.
5. Does It Build Toward Sustainable Growth?
Opportunities that create lasting connections, skills, or visibility are more valuable than one-off projects. For example, participating in a residency might not generate immediate income but could lead to long-term professional relationships and creative breakthroughs.
Learning to Say No
Saying no can feel risky, but it is a powerful way to assert control over your career. As Jackie Battenfield advises in The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, “Turning down an opportunity is not a rejection of the future—it’s a redirection toward the opportunities that truly matter.”
Tips for Saying No Strategically:
• Frame It Positively: Instead of a flat rejection, express gratitude for the opportunity and explain why it doesn’t align with your current focus. For example, “Thank you for thinking of me. While this project is exciting, I’m currently prioritizing other commitments.”
• Delay Your Response: If you’re unsure, ask for time to consider. This allows you to evaluate the opportunity without the pressure of an immediate decision.
• Know Your Boundaries: Establish clear criteria for what you’re willing to take on, such as minimum pay rates or types of projects.
Balancing Short-Term Needs With Long-Term Goals
Artists often face the challenge of balancing immediate financial needs with long-term aspirations. However, the two don’t have to be at odds. The key is to prioritize opportunities that address both. For example:
• If financial stability is a priority, consider teaching, freelance gigs, or commissions that align with your practice.
• Use income from short-term projects to fund long-term goals, such as developing a new body of work or applying for a major residency.
Conclusion: Choosing With Intention
Opportunities are not just doors—they are stepping stones toward the future you envision. By shifting away from a scarcity mindset and using a strategic framework, artists can make decisions rooted in their values and goals rather than fear or urgency.
As Gilda Williams reminds us, “Every decision shapes the trajectory of your career. Choose wisely, and you’ll not only build a stronger practice but also a more fulfilling life as an artist.”
Works Cited
• Abbing, Hans. Why Are Artists Poor? The Exceptional Economy of the Arts. Amsterdam University Press, 2002.
• Battenfield, Jackie. The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love. Da Capo Press, 2009.
• Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books, 1999.
• Williams, Gilda. How to Write About Contemporary Art. Thames & Hudson, 2014.
• Freelancers Union. “Creative Freelancers Report.” 2021.
• Artsy. “How Artists Gain Gallery Representation.” 2019.
opportunities with their goals. Let me know if you’d like further refinements!
Comments