Imposter Syndrome? Overcome It!

Imposter Syndrome & How To Overcome It

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Hi Everyone, this is Amelia Anderson, the Director of the Bennett Prize and Curator for Women’s Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art. It’s been 3 months since the Call For Entries for The Bennett Prize Cycle 5 have opened and even before it opened, I’ve been getting calls and emails from artists asking one seemingly simple question, “Should I apply?”

Usually, I am doing some detective work while on the phone with these artists or prior to emailing them back to see their work and if it is appropriate. I can confidently say that more often than not, the artist contacting me, wondering if they would even qualify for The Bennett Prize, definitely qualifies for The Bennett Prize. But “Imposter Syndrome” is getting into their heads, making them doubt themselves and the stunning work they do. If you are considering applying to The Bennett Prize and the thoughts of “But why would I win? Why would they pick me?” are swirling around your head, I turn those thoughts back on you and ask “Are you a woman figurative realist painter? Yes? Then why not you?!”

At the same time, I completely understand! I fell victim to imposter syndrome while applying for this position. In March of 2025 I got an email from a former colleague with the job posting for The Bennett Prize Director and Curator of Women’s Art at The Muskegon Museum of Art. He spoke highly of the Muskegon Museum of Art and its staff and he encouraged me to go for it. Back then, I was the curator at an aviation museum (not to brag, but the first woman curator at that institution). But I wanted to go back to where my passion lies: working within art museums. On my morning commute I mulled over if I should apply. “Why would they even look at my application? I work with airplanes not art prizes!” But I kept thinking about it. The idea would not leave my mind no matter how much I pushed it away. So I went home that night and submitted my application-the rest is history!

These feelings of inadequacy permeate our minds and are, in a way, your brain trying to protect you. If you don’t apply, then you can’t get disappointed. But if you don’t apply, the world may never know your work, you may never get to meet a group of amazing women and make new friends, you may never win!

You owe it to yourself to take this opportunity and run with it. If not for yourself, then for the whole Bennett Prize Team sitting on the other side of this screen: We want to see what you can do!