better late than never

about a month after the incumbent is already in post!
what does administrative competence mean?
and is it better to fail in the face of vigorous competition or only against a few people? is failure qualitative?

"Many thanks for applying for The Mirror residency at Wysing Arts Centre. We had 271 applications for The Mirror and a total of 617 applications across all twelve residencies. All applications were reviewed in detail by Wysing’s curatorial team which includes three individuals. It was difficult to reach a final decision but on this occasion I am sorry to tell you that you were not selected. Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to offer individual feedback to unselected artists on this occasion. I do hope you will keep in touch with Wysing and consider applying in the future.
In the meantime, we are currently advertising studio opportunities, which includes a Live/Work studio. More info here: http://www.wysingartscentre.org/artists/opportunities.html. Should you be interested in studio rentals then please contact Wysing’s Operations Director, louise Thirlwall, on louise.thirlwall@wysingartscentre.org
Donna Lynas
Director
Wysing Arts Centre"

well, I'll be gosh-darned

Dear Anna Marya,

Thank you for your application for the position of Administrator at Mimbre. Unfortunately you have not been short-listed on this occasion.

Thank you for your time and we wish you every success in your search for an appropriate position.

Regards,
Emma

but I wanted help at failing

Dear Anna-Marya,
Thank you for your recent application to the Making and Funding Work seminar, provided by a-n The Artists Information Company and WeDidThis. I am afraid that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. The standard of applications were very high as was the level of demand for this seminar against the availability of places, we encourage you to continue to look out for further opportunities to apply to in due course. Whilst we cannot enter into any dialogue with regard to your specific application due to time and financial restrictions please do have a look at our resources on the a-n website as these may help you with future applications.
Support schemes
Fundraising
With best wishes,
Jennie Picken
Communications & Partnerships

no time to fail

I was wondering when I stopped blogging my failures. Clearing out my old e-mails I found the answer (see below. Round about October last year I both ceased blogging and also even considering the condition of failure. My son came home from India with typhoid and its effects and his illness put everything into perspective. The next month my mother-in-law died which also had unplesant ramifications and put thoughts of personal failure out of my head.

"5 October 2011
Dear Anna-Marya,
University of Hertfordshire - AA2A Artists Access to Art Colleges Scheme
My colleagues and I would like to thank you for your time and interest in the project. There has been considerable support and interest in the AA2A scheme resulting in a high demand for the limited number of places available. It is with regret that we are unable to offer you a place on the scheme this year.
If you would like to be considered for a place next year, we can keep your details on file, so we can contact you again next year so you can apply. In that case we would just ask for you keep us updated with your personal information and professional practice. If you could please let us know if you would be interested in this option.
We would also like to point out that there may be opportunity at other establishments such as Digswell Arts Trust who are a local Foundation.
We thank you again for your application and wish you a prosperous future in your artist practice.
Yours sincerely
Nick Thomas
University Coordinator for AA2A scheme"

Wysing subtlest beast of all the field

Wysing Arts, for whose residency, "Cosmos", I exerted myself have with great subtlety announced the four successful artists, without bothering to inform the failures about their lack of success.
They are to be congratulated on this spectacular piece of PR.