Resources for Makers
Tips for writing successful arts applications.
1. Select your grant.
Think carefully about your project. Select your grant carefully. The process of writing an application can be an important part of developing a project.
Make sure that you meet eligibility requirements.
Confirm details well in advance – the more you can lock in, the better. Are there artists or venues you need to confirm? Will you engage project partners?
Discuss your idea with program staff.
2. Criteria are crucial.
You are scored against criteria, so you must find criteria that fits you and your project.
Grant writing is strategic writing – you need to make convincing arguments against specific criteria.
Use these criteria to structure your grant. Mirror the language of the grant. Do not bury key points but clearly give the necessary information.
3. Writing your grant.
The What / Why / How / Where model is a good model and one used often in the arts industry.
Don’t forget to explain what the project or artform is. Be descriptive: Is it a series of ceramic vessels? A play? A video installation? This is particularly important in the current context, in which there is a trend towards inter-disciplinary panels.
You must write a persuasive rationale for your project. Why is it significant?
Do not rely on art jargon. Make sure that a general arts audience can engage with your proposal.
Try and describe the impact of your project. What does this project mean beyond you? What impact will it have?
Who is the audience for your work? What markets are important?
Follow the rules of good writing. Use plain English. Use positive form. Use clear subheadings and short paragraphs. Bullet points are good. Spellcheck and proofread. Read it aloud.
Finding the right language for your art practice takes time. Try reading about other artists who are similar to you. Make sure that the project is well-planned and viable.
Show a track record that attests to your ability to be successful, but also clearly explain why you need support to make it happen.
Make sure your budget balances. Pay artists/creative practitioners fairly. Use NAVA rates (or similar). Include in-kind and other earned support. Try to show multiple forms of support.
4. Support material is the most important part of your application.
Make sure your support material has a strong and coherent narrative. Make it exciting! Think about pacing and editing. Make it excellent quality (not crappy shots or scrappy papers).
Abide by the constraints.
Do not make the panel work hard to understand your project. They will not look through your whole website or read your whole manuscript. Make it succinct and professional.
Support letters can be impactful. Can a peer attest to your potential? This is arguably more important when you are starting out – you can ‘borrow’ some reputation.
5. Don’t get bitter – get feedback!
Where possible, get feedback. Where did you place in the ranking? What were the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal? What can you do better next time?
If you want to get good at proposals join a volunteer board.
6. Do your own thing! Be proactive!
You don’t have to rely on existing structures. You can organise your own opportunities!
