APPLYING FOR GRANTS: GENERAL TIPS

The Basics

• Read the application guidelines and instructions and make sure you fully understand them. If you have any questions about the application, call the funding organization.
  
  
• Make a check list of everything you need to do to complete the application.
  
  
• Give yourself plenty of time to complete the application; you might need a substantial amount of time to prepare your support material.
  
  
• Focus on your support materials: your slides/digital images, audio samples, manuscripts, and DVD/videos are the strongest representation of your work. Quality support materials speak for themselves.
  
  
• If you can, have someone proofread your application to check for spelling mistakes, incomplete information, and clarity.

Tips for Writing a Project Proposal

• Assume the person reading the application is unfamiliar with your work. What do you usually say to introduce your work to the individuals that you meet?
  
  
• Be clear and concise; concentrate on explaining the most important aspects of your project. Explain in a sentence or two what is unique and exciting about your project. Focus on answering the six basic questions in your project proposal: who, what, when, why, where, and how.

Tips specifically for Artist Trust's (GAP) Grants for Artists Projects

Remember that the strength of your work (as represented by your support materials) is BY FAR the most important criteria that the panelists use during the selection process. Afterall, award recipients are not selected because they are great grant writers--The panel is instructed to look for artistic excellence much more than an interesting project. Make sure your support materials--slides, audio casettes, videotapes--are of a professional quality.

Project Proposal Basics:

• Brief project description.
  
  
• Brief description of your background as an artist.
  
  
• Any specific information related to project documentation: dates, times, locations, audiences, etc.
  
  
• Specific request for funding.
  
  
• Any additional information that will convey to the panel the significance of your project, how the project fits in with your body of work -- in general, what it is about this project that excites you and makes you want to see it to completion.

If your project is a collaboration with another artist, you must clearly state who the artist is and how that person contributes to the project.

Your project is being reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel so make sure you communicate your ideas in a way that can reach individuals outside of your specific artistic discipline.

Don't Get Discouraged:

• If you did not receive a grant that you applied for, don't take it too hard. There is, unfortunately, limited funding for individual artists, and the more you apply the better your chances.
  
  
• Panel members for both Artist Trust GAP and Fellowships change each round. Each of these panels will look at artistic work and project proposals in a different way -- the process, afterall, is a subjective one. So if you are not selected in this year's round, it could be chosen next year. Applying for grants is also a great way to get your work reviewed by respected artists and arts professionals in your field.
  
  
• Keep trying. Work on developing the best presentation of your work as an artist. Apply for as many grants as your wallet and schedule will allow. Try to get feedback if possible.