Why is art “sportified” with competitions, judges, and prizes awarded? Over the last few decades, this sportification of art has become the popular norm in the low to middle-market art world. Some of the reasons for this competitive art culture include:
- Artists desperately seeking external validation for their work, especially new artists.
- Art competitions are perceived as necessary to build an artist’s CV and authority in a competitive market.
- There are more artists and art now available than at any point in history. Competitions are perceived as a way to stand out in a sea of art/artists.
- Art collectors need external confirmation that they are purchasing “quality” work from “reputable” artists.
- Competitions are money-makers for galleries and organizations with fees.
- They bring attention to the organizers and allow them to engage new audiences.
- Art is a perceived pathway to exhibitions.
What these competitive shows ultimately do is:
- Take power away from the artist and collector and put it in the hands of a third party (curators, jurors, museums, galleries, critics).
- Commoditize art and drive prices down (see downward price pressure and free market economies).
- Discourage artist business communities and collaboration due to competitive fear and scarcity mindset.
