The object of chess is to stay three steps ahead, a strategy also employed by businesses who use chess tactics to ‘ thrive in the face of incalculable complexities and unexpected change’.
It struck me today how invaluable these tactics are in planning my work and involvement in other projects over the coming year.
Although there is still work to be done over the Stockholm trip, it’s at this time that wheels must be set in motion for the next stage…September, October, November – the Liverpool Independents Biennial, among other things.
I feel like I can’t be bothered as autumn is such a long way away, but If I don’t set it up now, it’ll be too late. It’s cold, I’ve done my back in, I’m off work with it and all I want to do is sit and watch TV all day. It while I was watching TV ( Criminal Minds to be exact) that I heard the chess analogy and it made me realise how true it was.
Yes, there are things to do for SUPERMARKET, but I think now all we can do is let it all fall into place and think about what comes next. It really is easy to devote all our energy into one project and assume it will be springboard to a rosy future.
Yep….. keeping moving…….keep planning…
This is just the start then I suppose.
I still feel a little shell shocked over receiving the funding as not only is it a massive help financially, but getting backing from the Arts Council would hopefully elevate our status and open a few doors for our future plans.
Since Wednesday, I feel like I’ve sent hundreds of emails and made a significant amount of calls. It took me two days to respond to ACE’s request for further information. I don’t know why, as they really only needed a couple of lines. But I just felt sort of afraid of making a mistake at this late stage.
By email, they wanted me to confirm that we had received the match funding. Easy as that. So, that’s finally done and sent off and while I was sending it, their letter of confirmation arrived through the post. Lots of things for me to sign before they can release the money.
I want to try to get that off today, as we don’t have a lot of time now.
The first artist’s work was dropped off yesterday – Julie Dodd’s : http://www.juliedodd.co.uk she always delivers on time, whether you need information of any kind, or in this case the actual work – it’s there straight away. I just wish all artists were this ‘easy’ !
I actually dreamt last night that one of them wanted to show some rotting meat and I had to get it through customs. Oh, the worry!
I suppose I’d better get the case out of the loft then and try working out how to fit everything in.
As part of ACE’s policy, I need to document everything, so the easiest way to reach people is by facebook. While I can, I will make regular postings: https://www.facebook.com/groups/97474900158/#!/pages/SCI/170190669682733
Please ‘Like’ us!
We got the funding – all of what I asked for!! Thank you so much ACE …in a sort of humbled and embarrassed way for my blog comments yesterday : /
its barely lunchtime and yet It has been such a stress filled day! As I’ve got a few days off work this week ( the intention being that I actually spend the time producing work!) I leisurely looked at facebook this morning and was almost mortified to find that Supermarket had set out the logos of all the sponsors and are ready to go to print on the catalogue.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Supermarket-Stockholm-Independent-Art-Fair/175165532557826
I emailed them straight away asking if they could give us a bit more time…. Jeez – how much more time can they give us?? We were all informed late October that our application to exhibit had been accepted, and by late November, the Swedish and Norwegian artists had announced their backers.
They responded that we had till 6pm tonight!
Emailed ACE… apologising profusely for harassing them… but we needed an answer NOW!!!
Unbelievably, they rang within 20mins to say YES – we will give you the full funding.
OMG OMG OMG!!!
Dear Mr or Mrs ACE, you know on the form where it’s got the bit about match funding and I said we would get xxxx amount ourselves? Well…. not only have we matched it – but we’ve done it with a bit more!
Got another generous backer today who have not only helped financially, but will support the next stage of our project.
So…..ACE….what do you think of that??
p.s…..it is so more than 6 weeks now!!
How to get from Amsterdam to Stockholm on less than €50…. can it be done? I don’t know, but one of our artists – Kimbal Quist Bumstead is going to damn well try !
http://diagonallyupwards.tumblr.com/
