20.3.09
Writing Artist Grant Proposals...
Here are a few guidelines for artists looking to submit grant proposals (in spite of the new penury). I wrote these out for a friend -- and then thought others might find useful.
GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE APPLICATIONS
1. With every grant application, there is a list of questions the reviewers want answered. Use that as your outline and answer each one. The order likely reflects their priorities. Also the questions are not optional -- any one not answered is a strong mark against you.
2. Reviewers hate to wade through dense text. They don't want to fight for the information they are looking for (see above). Answers therefore should be clear, succinct and cogent. Wordiness of any sort should be avoided.
3. Answers however should be compelling -- they should contain real ideas and avoid over-simplification or defensiveness (e.g. "I do this because it expresses what I feel").
4. Periodically read the text you write out loud. If you can't breathe and it doesn't flow, you need to edit -- add commas, paragraph breaks and/or shorten sentences. This will cause ideas to shine.
5. A few key messages are better than throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Don't give away too much detail. If you throw in too much data, it looks like you are trying to prove you know something that would go without saying for those who know better.
6. The first step is to hone a concept statement. This should consist of one short and to-the-point paragraph, akin to what some people call their "elevator speech" (or a brief description of what you do uttered in less in 3 minutes). Everything else should derive from this.
7. Avoid introducing too many ideas. While creative association can be helpful, too much of it will confuse the reviewers and they will assume your project lacks focus.
8. Never include the following kind of statement: "... the imagery will be processed through my own artistic style and personal beliefs". While true, this application is a chance to try and convince the reviewers you are somebody interesting .. they don't know you from Adam and therefore don't care about your personal anything.
GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE APPLICATIONS
1. With every grant application, there is a list of questions the reviewers want answered. Use that as your outline and answer each one. The order likely reflects their priorities. Also the questions are not optional -- any one not answered is a strong mark against you.
2. Reviewers hate to wade through dense text. They don't want to fight for the information they are looking for (see above). Answers therefore should be clear, succinct and cogent. Wordiness of any sort should be avoided.
3. Answers however should be compelling -- they should contain real ideas and avoid over-simplification or defensiveness (e.g. "I do this because it expresses what I feel").
4. Periodically read the text you write out loud. If you can't breathe and it doesn't flow, you need to edit -- add commas, paragraph breaks and/or shorten sentences. This will cause ideas to shine.
5. A few key messages are better than throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Don't give away too much detail. If you throw in too much data, it looks like you are trying to prove you know something that would go without saying for those who know better.
6. The first step is to hone a concept statement. This should consist of one short and to-the-point paragraph, akin to what some people call their "elevator speech" (or a brief description of what you do uttered in less in 3 minutes). Everything else should derive from this.
7. Avoid introducing too many ideas. While creative association can be helpful, too much of it will confuse the reviewers and they will assume your project lacks focus.
8. Never include the following kind of statement: "... the imagery will be processed through my own artistic style and personal beliefs". While true, this application is a chance to try and convince the reviewers you are somebody interesting .. they don't know you from Adam and therefore don't care about your personal anything.
