For most artists and creative workers, the traditional career ladder looks less like a tidy ascent and more like a chaotic jungle gym. Traditional career progression models don’t fit the reality of modern arts careers – and that may be a good thing. One of the reasons artists are more likely to suffer from burnout is that they may fall prey to the idea of climbing a non-existent ladder.
The ladder metaphor is borrowed from industrial-era thinking. It’s well-suited to corporate environments, but creative careers are rarely linear. Metrics such as promotions and titles don’t make sense when your career is centred on projects, relationships and reputation. In recent years, the gig economy has only grown.
