GRANTWRITING FOR ARTISTS Fund Your Creative Projects By Gigi Rosenberg gigirosenberg.com
Welcome/Introduction
Question
What type of artist are you? □
Visual artist Painter Sculptor Designer
Performing Artist □ Who else is here ? Scientists? □
Question ď‚Ą ď‚Ą
How many of you have applied for grants? How many of you have already won grants?
Ground Rules
Ask questions as we go along Shut off all distractions Take notes on your own project □ What
is it? □ Give it a title □ What’s unique? □ Why is this your next project? □ How are you going to make it?
Reality Check
Grants from my writer’s desk Oregon
Literary Fellowship (500/12) Hedgebrook Residency (1700/40) Creative Capital (2500/46)
Why this doesn’t matter
Why Write a Grant?
Why Write a Grant?
Meet peers/build community Clarify your vision Put your big idea on paper
Why Write a Grant?
Meet peers/build community Benefit from the application deadline Plan your next project
Why Write a Grant?
Meet peers/build community Gain practice in writing applications Gain practice in asking for help
Use it to find new language for
Crowdfunding campaign Press release Website copy Book proposal Elevator Speech
Make it work for you â–Ą
now?
Is grant writing the best use of your time right
Question What would you like to get out of this webinar? □
□
What are your burning questions?
Where do grants come from?
Private money □ Foundations □ Individuals
grants!)
(These donations are not technically
Where do grants come from?
Private money □
Foundations, individuals
Public money □
Federal, state, local government
What grants can you apply for?
90 percent for nonprofits 10 percent for individuals How can you get access to the 90 percent?
Fiscal Sponsorship
A nonprofit sponsors you They get a small percentage The nonprofit gets the funds and passes them onto you What are some advantages of having a fiscal sponsor? Pros/Cons
Why do they give grants?
Why do do they give grants?
They have a vision to manifest in the world They need you to complete their mission They’re looking for you
Types of Grants
Fellowships & Awards Professional Development Grants Project Grants Residencies
Parts of an Application
Artist Statement Bio/CV Project Description Budget Timeline Work Sample Marketing Plans What else?
Research
Starts with you – in your studio What do you want now in your career? What type of support will take you there? Use this deadline
Research
The Foundation Center □
New York Foundation for the Arts: The Source □
Foundationcenter.org Nyfa.org
Your state arts commission
Research
The Foundation Center New York Foundation for the Arts: The Source Your state arts commission Bios of successful artists and entrepreneurs Performance programs + Acknowledgements □ Artist websites □ Catalogs, brochures and so on □
Research
Play matchmaker Study mission of funder Read guidelines and criteria Find the deadline
Research
Are you the right match for them? Is this grant the right match for you? Is writing a grant the best use of your time right now in your career?
Build Your Team
Brainstorming Partner Co-researcher Editor Proofreader Work Sample Advisor Budget Advisor
Questions
Artist Statement
Artist Statement Make your statement relevant to this grant â–Ą
How can you customize it for this opportunity? â–Ą
Artist Statement
Make your statement relevant to this grant □
How can you customize it for this opportunity?
What can you write that is unique to you? Describe your process What are you intending? Write so someone outside your field can understand your concerns and intentions
Work Sample
Your best work Good documentation The right match A sample that supports your proposal
Project Description
What is it? Who is your audience? What is the goal? What is the need for the project?
Project Description
What, who, why, when, how, where? □ Who
is involved? □ When is it taking place? □ How are you making it? □ Where is it being exhibited?
Your Raw Material
Your Raw Material
Past/current artist statements Interviews with audience members Past reviews of your work Has anything else been written about your work?
Your Raw Material
Get interviewed Record your answers You will say things you would never think to write
Budget
Budget
Explain all expenses in the narrative □
Show you’re a good steward of the funding
If something is mentioned in the narrative, make sure it shows up in the budget Example of the videographer
Budget
Brainstorm all possible sources of income Include your own fundraising or contribution, fi necessary Don’t forget in-kind donations □
Examples?
How else can you show that you have a community of financial support behind this project?
Budget
List every conceivable expense If you’re sending postcards, how many? □ What is postage nowadays? □
Triple check your math Remember: You want to prove you will be a good steward of this funding What would you want if you were donating?
Strategic Question
Why you? How has your whole life/career led up to h tsi project?
Strategic Question
Why now? Why can’t this wait five years? What is the urgency?
Pro Tip: Your Winning Attitude â–Ą
grant
This project will happen with or without the
Pro Tip: Call the funder
When? What to say? Your introduction Finding the right question What’s the real reason for this ca? l Will they review your rough draft?
Before You Submit:
Confirmed you’re a good match Used a team of help Met the criteria Answered the questions Ensure the budget speaks to the narrative Clarity, Simplicity (see editing tips) Proofread the writing and the numbers All pieces fit together
Follow Up Feedback
□
□
Phone etiquette
Follow Up
Feedback □ Phone
etiquette
Thank You □ Snail
not
mail whether you win or
Resources - amzn.to/2xmaksr
More Resources
gigirosenberg.com/media-room Radio &
on-camera interviews
gigirosenberg.com/resource-room Interviews
to read Recommended books for the artist’s journey
Pro Editing Tips
Write in the active voice Be stingy with adverbs Use sensory details whenever possible Write to your ideal audience member Remember your attitude: This project will happen! □
How can your verbs reflect this?
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