From the desk of a studio manager: how to manage with rhythm, not rigidity
My friends and family know that they’ll eat well when they come to my house. I have recipes that have been passed down for generations, ones from cookbooks, and ones I’ve developed. But my most prized recipe is for organization systems, and the secret ingredient is building them with rhythm, not rigidity.
You may have heard that creating and managing systems and operations for a creative studio can be a challenge.
Many people still believe the stereotype of the free-spirited artist who rebels against all conformity and rules. I have spent many years working with artists, and while there may be some specks of truth in that stereotype, I have primarily found that artists, like the vast majority of people, thrive with routine and shared understanding of expectations, while also leaving space for their creative process and humanity.
Building with rhythm means designing systems that keep everyone moving in sync but still leave room to improvise. It’s about creating a shared tempo, not a script.
Rigidity says: follow the rules or fall behind.
Rhythm says: here’s the beat, now make it your own.
In practice, building with rhythm means creating systems that people actually want to use:
It’s setting clear expectations, but not micromanaging how someone gets there.
It’s using consistent check-ins, not constant pings.
It’s having templates and processes that save time, while still leaving room for iteration and personal style.
It’s adjusting the pace when the team’s energy shifts instead of forcing the same tempo every week.
It’s asking “what’s working and what’s not?” and really listening to the answers.
When you build with rhythm, you build for real humans: your team knows what to expect, but they’re also trusted to adapt, respond, and breathe within the structure. The work flows more naturally. People feel seen, not managed.
That’s the kind of system that sustains creative teams: steady enough to rely on, flexible enough to inspire, organized without being rigid, collaborative without being chaotic, and creative without losing focus.
Like any good recipe, the secret isn’t just the ingredients.
It’s knowing when to stir, when to simmer, and when to let things rest. Get the rhythm right, and everything comes together beautifully.
Catherine Markowitz, Studio Manager
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