Grant Writing Tips for Individual Artists

Grant Writing Tips for Individual Artists

Tips on grant writing for individual artists (all disciplines)
The first step to grant writing is to have a well written artist statement (1/2 page version, 1 page version, and a 2 page version). This will help you to focus on the writing of your grant narrative (this will also help you with press release writing!). Be careful not to over use "art speak" terms/language and write for an audience who has never interacted with /seen your work. In other words, keep it simple, clear, and straight forward. The committee reviewing your proposal needs to understand the proposal the first time they read it.

The second step is to have good documentation/support materials of your work. Slides/photographs/video documentation need to be done well (hire a professional - it is worth the investment). Also save articles and reviews of your work (this info can also help in the writing of your artist statement/grant proposal). Project your slides to make sure they project well. Check the viewing order of the visual support materials you are submitting carefully (slides/photos etc..). Make sure the viewing order makes visual sense to viewers. For example, if you are submitting a diptych- submit a slide of the entire diptych first, followed by the details of the piece (this goes for 3-D/ installation as well).

The question of sending a CD with JPEGs comes up more often. Not all places have the technology necessary to view CDs. Call before you send a CD to see if they have they accept them for review. Also remember that technology does fail, so i it might be wise to send slides or a print out and a CD. The same holds true for DVDs- call and make sure they can access the technology. Most places can listen to sound/music CDs.

Always have two copies of the grant guidelines/form on hand (or make copies). Use one of the forms as your working document (i.e. write notes/questions directly on this copy). Follow the directions/guidelines CLOSELY. Start the grant well ahead of the deadline and have one to two people proof read your proposal!! Do not send extra materials that aren't asked for. Do not make lots of calls to the organization about the grant- be organized with all your questions. They should be asked in one or two phone calls.

For the budget, factor in your labor time as well the cost of your materials (make a lists of things you'll need and their price- that way when you look for inkind donations you will have a better idea of what you need).

We also recommend that instead of researching grants by yourself, that you should organize a group of artists to do the research together. It will take you much less time to research grants with more people looking and you can proof read each other's grant proposals!

TYPES of Grants

Individual artist grants/ Private & Public Fellowships (specifically awarded to artists to make their work and are usually unrestricted in how artists use the funds)- Public moneys: Mass. Cultural Council (MCC), New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), and some Local Cultural Councils (LCC). Private foundations/firms: see Associated Grant Makers (AGM) and/or the Boston Public Library main branch Humanities/social sciences department/ Kirstein Business Branch & BOOKS TO BUY - Doing Business In Boston & AGM's publication.
Professional development/enhancement grants - can cover the costs of classes, residencies, travel, conferences etc.. (the MCC has such a program & see sources mentioned in #1)

Event and Residency grants - could be also be under professional development (again MCC has a program that is somewhat geared to this, see sources mentioned in #1 & BOOKS TO BUY section - Alliance of Artists Communities's 2000 residency directory)

Project based grants - Artists usually need a sponsoring/umbrella organization to apply for these moneys (i.e. nonprofit with 501-3c number). These grants can cover these types of projects: Public art projects* that are either community based (i.e. the local community is working on the project with the artist(s)) or a project in which the artist(s) are working independently/alone; film/video projects; theater projects; projects* in which the artists are working with a population/specific community (youth, seniors etc.). (see sources mentioned in #1 & *UrbanArts Institute (617-879-7973)

Inkind Support/ Volunteers/ Sponsorship - identify businesses that can give you moneys/sponsorship; inkind donations (materials, printing, computer programs, services); & Volunteers/Personal etc.. The best place to do this is the Kirstein Business Branch of the Boston Public Library- 20 City Hall Ave. (617-523-0860. This branch has all kinds of information on local, state and national businesses (annual reports of companies, directories of who makes what, and also job information). If you can work with a nonprofit on soliciting inkind Donations/Sponsorships it might entice the company more. A donation to a non profit is considered a tax deductible contribution.

BOOKS TO BUY (if you can't afford buy these books yourself, buy them with a friend or find them at the library)

Associate Grant Makers Guide to Funders in Mass - need to buy it from AGM (617-426-2606)- around $50-60 (in the Boston Public Library Humanities/social science dept. & in other libraries).

Doing Business in Boston - author: Levine Published by Boston Business Journal- (617-330-1000) - around $55 - a copy is in the Kirstein Business Branch of the Boston Public Library (617-523-0860) and more than likely also in the BPL main branch (this book will be useful for locating inkind support, jobs, materials, what businesses might buy art, etc).

Artists' Communities 2000-Directory of Residencies (& what residencies give grants to go, etc.) in US and abroad. About $25- order directly from Alliance of Artists Communities (401-351-4320).

Places that will help you find money (remember, the librarians are there to help you, so ask if you need help!!)

Associated Grant Makers of Mass (AGM) (617-426-2606)

Kirstein Business Branch of the Boston Public Library (617-523-0860) (research companies/inkind support & jobs)

Boston Public Library- Humanities/social science section (main library).