I have always wondered about this question. Perhaps some show coordinators (along with artists) could chime in.
So, omitting all shows that actively judge applications as they arrive (i.e. "Howard Alan Events") and shows that charge an additional fee for last minute applications (i.e. "Coconut Grove Art Festival"), is there ANY benefit to applying earlier than the specified deadline?
Is there a benefit to applying MUCH earlier (near the Open Date) or even weeks before the deadline? Or is an application that comes in at 11:55PM, at the eve of the deadline, treated the same as applications submitted much earlier?
Just curious :-)
Replies
Interesting ... So, for the most part, do you feel show coordinators present the applications to the judges in the order they came? If so, I can see how applying early is better (not being among the first to be seen, but near the middle so that the judges would have determined a baseline).
Also, I have always assumed that, after the deadline, they organize the applications by category and present them to the judges in one day or over the course of a few days. I assumed the applications would be mixed/jumbled and entry date would not play a role in each artist's position. But I can see how an "entry" order could be employed by a coordinator.
I wish some former or current directors or coordinators could share their own experiences on the subject.
For the most part, I have applied late ... Not sure if it would have changed the outcome on the shows that rejected my application. But the potential factor is interesting. Some reasons I end up applying late / last day is: (1) I really do not know what my schedule will be and I postpone applying as much as possible; (2) like many of us, i am constantly working on new artworks. I would hate to apply to a show early and, a month later, have artwork(s) that i feel would have been better suited for the application; And (3) sometimes the "big" shows give results before the deadlines of other "same weekend" options -- If a "big" show declines my app, I have time to apply for the alternatives ... But if they accept me, I save the alternative's app fee.
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Just so there's no misunderstanding. Images are always shown to the jurors by category. It's the order within the category we're referring to.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Correct.
I've found that sometimes applying early has got me a better position at the show and as Connie said, it has created a good feeling with the organiser.
I'm with Larry on this. Applying early may put your images at the front of the category for the judging - it also may not, but why not choose to take advantage that it will. Another thing I know, from a show organizer's perspective, is that when the application goes live the director starts watching for the applications to come in and they love it when applications come in early -- it may engender you some good will as someone who is so pleasant to work with that will be nice when you meet.
Even shows that charge an extra fee for late applications, jury all artists at the same time.
The real issue is whether or not the show is choosing the correct way to present the images to the jurors. And whether or not they actually understand the options.
All things equal (which they never are) it's better to apply early than at the last minute because assuming the show director orders based on date and time application is submitted, the jurors are fresh when they see your work. I wouldn't apply too early, like the first day, because it's more difficult for the jurors to establish a baseline on how they assign scores.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100