Redefining Failure in the Arts: Insights from Dr. Rachel Skaggs
What if failure wasn’t the opposite of success but a crucial step toward it? In the arts, where creativity and innovation are paramount, failure often carries a stigma that prevents open dialogue. But as Dr. Rachel Skaggs, the Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Assistant Professor of Arts Management at The Ohio State University, explains, failure is inevitable and valuable. Drawing from her extensive research into creative industries and project-based careers, Dr. Skaggs shares how learning from failure can transform how artists and organizations approach their work.
The Hidden Role of Failure in the Arts:
Failure is a shared experience in the arts, from individual artists facing rejection to organizations struggling to meet their goals. However, as Dr. Skaggs points out, failure is often shrouded in silence, especially among funders and stakeholders. This reluctance to acknowledge failure prevents meaningful conversations and stifles the potential for growth and innovation.
By shifting our perspective, failure can be seen as an opportunity to refine processes, improve impact measurement, and foster collaboration. Artists and organizations can benefit from embracing failure as an essential part of the creative process.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
Reframing Failure: Failure is not an end in itself; it’s a tool for learning and growth. Embracing failure openly can lead to innovation and improved processes.
Collaboration Matters: Working together can help artists and organizations navigate failure more effectively.
Impact Measurement: Developing new ways to measure success and impact is critical for the arts sector.
Public Conversations: Creating spaces for open discussions about failure can help shift perceptions and break down stigma.
Why This Matters:
The arts sector faces unique challenges, from securing funding to proving public value. Dr. Skaggs’ work highlights the importance of fostering a culture where failure is accepted and used as a learning tool. This shift can empower artists and strengthen the creative ecosystem as a whole.
Failure is an integral part of the artistic journey, and it’s time we embrace it. As Dr. Rachel Skaggs shares, recognizing the value of failure can spark innovation, encourage collaboration, and lead to a renaissance of relevance in the arts. Let’s redefine failure and use it as a stepping stone to greater success.
Join the conversation by listening to this insightful episode of ARTS Redefined. Share your thoughts and experiences with failure in the arts—how has it shaped your creative journey? Let’s reframe failure together. [Spotify] [Apple Podcast] [YouTube]
Rachel Skaggs: [https://www.rachelskaggs.me/] [https://aaep.osu.edu/people/skaggs.131]
