GOAL SETTING FOR ARTISTS TIPS

Learn how to review goals so that you can hold yourself accountable and achieve your goals! Keep reading to learn how to review your goals! This is my sixth month review of my goals. We are halfway through 2024!

Review of 2024 Goals

Here are my goals for 2024 that I made at the start of January. It is important to look at the list and think about are these goals that I still want? Sometimes we make goals and we forget about them or we make them and they aren’t actually goals that we want badly enough to work towards.

Goals for 2024:

2000 people on my email list
Run ads to market business
Take my business full time by making more money than I did as a teacher
Offer cyanotype commissions
Have 2-5 exhibitions
Receive 1-2 artist grants
Growing my fine art Instagram to 1000 followers
Participate in 1-2 art markets
Get my artwork or prints in a local shop
Take more photos from the series Patched and Tree Houses

After looking at this list - these are all still goals that I want to achieve for the most part. I want them because they are going to help me grow as an artist and push my art business forward!

Now that we have gotten clear on our goals and know that they are all still goals that are desired we can get specific about each goal and figure out how we have been working towards them.

Review of Progress at 6 Months on Goals

It is good to review your goals frequently, but especially at the sixth month mark. Figure out how close or how far off you are from achieving your goals. If you are really far off you might need to let go of some projects to make more time for your goals, you might need more motivation, you might need to schedule more time or you might need to do more research to figure out how you can attain your goals.

If you are close to hitting your goals or if you have already accomplished those goals - then maybe the goals were too easy. Maybe you need to adjust the goals and make them more challenging. If a goal isn’t challenging enough you aren’t going to be driven to pursue it.

2000 people on my email list

2000 people on my email list - I currently have __about 400________ on my mailing list. I have really focused on growing my mailing list by offering two new freebies for people to sign up. Now people can sign up to save 15% on artwork (fill out the form below).

They can get my FREE guide for 10 tips to improve your beginner acrylic painting skills that includes a roadmap to help you transition from a beginner to an intermediate painter- click here!

My free 14 pages of symmetry drawing pages perfect for grades 4-7- click here to download those!

Or my FREE guide with 10 Tips to help you create an art portfolio that stands out and gets accepted into an art program or school of your choice! Click here to download!

I will be creating a couple of new freebies and trying Pinterest ads for the first time soon to grow my mailing list.

Run ads to market business

Run ads to market business-I will be trying Pinterest ads to share my Portfolio Tips free guide to have more people on my mailing list to be able to launch my art portfolio course. I haven’t done this yet but hope to do it in the next few months.

Take my business full time by making more money than I did as a teacher

I have been able to stay at home with my son while working on my business, I have worked on an art commission, done some workshops, coaching and I am getting ready to launch my art portfolio course. I am working on adding my TPT art teaching resources and lessons to my store.

Offer cyanotype commissions

I am in the process of working on the cyanotype commissions. I haven’t had the chance yet to make cyanotypes- but I hope to do this soon!

Have 2-5 exhibitions

I currently have 4 exhibitions scheduled for this year. I have made it a habit to try to apply to one exhibition each Monday. This doesn’t always happen but carving out time for it in my schedule has been really important.

Receive 1-2 artist grants

I have received 0 grants so far. On Mondays I work on grant applications and exhibition applications so this has helped me have a set time to apply. I have applied to 2 grants and I plan on applying to at least 3 others.

Growing my fine art Instagram to 1000 followers

I currently have 763 Instagram followers on my account @jackiepartridge_ and I have 1170 followers on my art teaching Instagram account. I have been prioritizing planning my content and creating reels which has helped me gain followers. I has been very hard to post consistently and grow both accounts.

Participate in 1-2 art markets

I am scheduled to participate in 0 markets. I have decided I don’t want to do this goal anymore. Markets are a lot of work and with a young toddler it’s not how I want to be spending my time right now, Instead of doing markets I have decided to contact local shops to sell my art instead.

Get my artwork or prints in a local shop

I will start to reach out this summer and prepare my pitch soon. I am still working on this.

Take more photos from the series Patched and Tree Houses

I have started to make photos from this series and will continue to do so now that it is warmer outside. I will hopefully do this in the summer and fall!

Here is a behind the scenes look at how and why I review my goals. I think reviewing your goals at the sixth month mark is especially important. A lot can change in six months. It is not too late to get started on your goals if you haven’t been making progress on them. Good luck with your goals!

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Tips for Planning Your Year as an Artist

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Why I Want to Be an Artist

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Why is Goal Setting Important for Artists?

Goal setting is crucial for artists for several reasons:

Direction and Focus: Setting goals helps artists clarify what they want to achieve and where they want their artistic endeavors to lead them. It provides a clear direction and keeps them focused on the specific milestones they need to reach.

Motivation and Inspiration: Having well-defined goals can inspire and motivate artists to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. Goals provide a sense of purpose and drive, helping artists to stay committed to their craft even during challenging times.

Measurable Progress: Setting goals with measurable outcomes allows artists to track their progress. This not only helps them assess their growth over time but also provides a sense of accomplishment as they reach each milestone.

Professional Development: Goals can serve as a roadmap for an artist's professional development. By setting achievable goals, artists can work on enhancing their skills, expanding their portfolio, and building a strong artistic identity.

Time Management: Setting specific deadlines and time-bound goals encourages artists to manage their time effectively. This can improve their productivity and ensure that they are consistently working towards their desired outcomes.

Accountability and Responsibility: When artists set goals, they hold themselves accountable for their own progress and success. This sense of responsibility can encourage them to take ownership of their artistic journey and strive to achieve the best possible results.

Personal Growth: Goal setting can promote personal growth and self-improvement. As artists strive to achieve their goals, they often develop new skills, overcome challenges, and gain valuable insights that contribute to their overall development as individuals and professionals.

Long-term Vision: Setting long-term goals helps artists envision their desired future and create a roadmap for achieving their artistic aspirations. This broader perspective enables them to make informed decisions and take actions that align with their ultimate artistic vision.

How to Set Goals as Artists

Goal setting can be a crucial component for any artist looking to progress in their craft and career. Here are some tips to help you set effective goals as an artist:

Define Your Vision: Start by defining your long-term vision. What do you want to achieve in your career as an artist? Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, or 20 years? Having a clear vision will guide your goal-setting process.

Set Specific Goals: Make sure your goals are clear and well-defined. Rather than setting a broad goal like "become a better painter," set specific, achievable goals like "complete three oil paintings by the end of the month" or "learn a new painting technique by attending a workshop."

Make Your Goals Measurable: Include quantifiable aspects in your goals so that you can track your progress. For instance, set a goal to sell a certain number of artworks, participate in a specific number of exhibitions, or gain a certain number of followers on your social media platforms.

Set Realistic and Achievable Goals: While it's good to challenge yourself, it's important to set goals that are attainable within a specific time frame. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and demotivation.

Break Down Your Goals: Divide your long-term goals into smaller, manageable milestones. This will make it easier to track your progress and keep you motivated. For instance, if your long-term goal is to have a solo exhibition, your smaller goals could include creating a body of work, securing a venue, and marketing the event.

Create a Timeline: Set deadlines for your goals to create a sense of urgency and accountability. Having a timeline will help you stay focused and organized in your efforts.

Prioritize Your Goals: Identify which goals are most important to you and prioritize them accordingly. Focus on goals that will have the most significant impact on your artistic development and career.

Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your goals as needed. As you progress and circumstances change, you may need to revise your goals to stay aligned with your vision.

Seek Feedback and Support: Share your goals with trusted mentors, fellow artists, or a supportive community. Their feedback and encouragement can provide valuable insights and help you stay motivated.

Celebrate Your Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Celebrating your successes will help you stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset.