Commentary with Heart: A Guide to Supportive Judging

Hey there, fellow SCA enthusiasts! Because Kingdom Arts and Sciences Competition is fast approaching, today, I want to talk about judging. A topic that’s close to my heart. But before we get to it, let’s set the stage with a friendly reminder. The ultimate goal here isn’t just to decide the worthiness of an entry. Nope, it’s all about helping and encouraging our fellow artisans on their creative journeys, no matter their age.

First things first, when you step into that judging role, leave your ego at the door. Picture your typical Kingdom A&S or Queen’s Prize event as a series of mentoring sessions. We’re here to help entrants level up, share tips, and inspire ideas for future entries. The key is to create an environment where entrants feel comfortable. They should feel at ease sharing their recreation journey with us. This way, we can give the best feedback possible. Trust me, no one wants to be known as the judge everyone dreads. Instead, strive to be the one who helps entrants find their path and cheers them on when they’re rocking it.

When you’re evaluating an entry, focus on the positives. Highlight the strengths that shine through, even if it’s a novice’s work. Give advice that encourages and supports, so they leave feeling eager to continue their creative journey. Remember, your feedback should empower, not discourage.

Large A & S competitions are a nerd convention. But it shouldn’t be about expecting to judge a perfect project. It’s about exchanging knowledge, comparing notes, and giving them feedback to grow forward. This mindset makes it easier to leave your ego behind and truly focus on helping others.

As judges, we need to remember that entrants have poured their heart and soul into their projects. They’ve spent months working, often sacrificing sleep and sanity. But here’s the thing – they are not their projects. Critiques should be about the work, not the person. Avoid making it personal. Constructive feedback on technical skills or documentation should help them improve, not make them feel attacked.

Communication is key. If entrants feel too intimidated to talk to their judges, we miss out on valuable insights they gained during their project. Take the time to make the judging process productive and effective. Be open-minded and respectful, especially if the entrant believes their work aligns with their documentation. Remember, we’re all human, and sometimes our information is outdated or faulty. Make it a conversation, not an ultimatum.

Arts and Sciences competitions are all about information transfer, but kindness goes a long way. Frame your suggestions in a friendly manner. Instead of saying, “You should do this,” try, “Have you thought about…?” And be prepared to listen to their reasons if they didn’t do it your way. Our hobby can be expensive, and it’s unfair to ask beginners to invest in costly items they might not afford.

Here’s a little trick I learned from Rosalie Langmod’s blog, “My Lady Mother”: start your judging session with some chocolate. Pass it around the group. Watch how this breaks the ice and changes the energy at the table. Everyone feels more at ease, and the conversation flows better.

So, let’s be the kind of judges who inspire, encourage, and support our fellow artisans. Together, we can make every competition a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved. Happy judging!