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Unlike some careers, the life of an artist doesn’t always involve consistent financial compensation. Where many people receive weekly or bi-monthly paychecks, artists generally have less secure pathways to income, making grants so important in the art world. Grants are funding pools provided by governments, individuals and private organizations. They require an application process that is primarily written and riddled with idiosyncrasies.
Here at the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation (VVAF), we understand that not everybody finds writing as simple as putting pen to paper or keystrokes to a page. So, this month we offer some advice directly from our research and experiences.
Grant writing is complicated even for the experienced writer. It involves a balanced explanation of why you currently need and deserve financial assistance, while also demonstrating that you are financially stable enough that you won't need to apply for this grant every year. Funding providers want to know that they are investing in your career and that the project you are working on will provide future economic opportunities for you. Of course, different grants have different goals, so some will be more or less concerned with your future financial status.
The first thing you want to do when looking for grants is sit down and figure out what funding would be most beneficial for you. This isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. Some grants have a lot of competition and are only offered to one or two people while others are less competitive or offer smaller compensation to more applicants.
It’s important to ask yourself questions like, “What is a project I have time to find funding for?” and “Do I have a good understanding of the requirements?” or “Is there something less obvious I might be missing?” The best options are not always the most obvious; sometimes it may be better to apply for something like funding for travel rather than an event itself. There are so many types of grants out there and finding the ones that work for you is an important first step.
The next step is finding the right resources. Where do you even start to look for grants? Grants databases collate lists of grants, but they are generally very expensive. Unless you know somebody who has access to one of these databases, you’re going to want to focus your attention on the resources that are already available to you. The Canada Council for the Arts and the BC Arts Council both offer funding, but local governments do as well. For instance, the Vancouver Public Library has a small grants database, mostly of private funders offering small sums. To gain access, you’ll have to use your VPL login from a computer connected to the library Wi-Fi.
Once you’ve found your grant, there are some things you want to keep in mind. If you are applying for a grant for the first time, the first thing you’ll want to do is double-check your eligibility. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact the grant officer responsible. Even if you’re sure of your eligibility, talking to the grant officer is a good step. Touching base with the grants contact gives you an opportunity to get more information about what’s expected, show your face (not always literally) and check that the grant is still being offered.
When you get to the point of sitting down and working on your grant, it can get a little more complex. You’ll want to start by checking which documents they’re asking for. It’s often required that you provide budgets and project plans of varying detail that you’ll want time to compile. With your project plan, keep in mind that if you receive the funds, this is likely to be referred to when reporting back to the funders. You want to be careful to include realistic ideas and not be overly specific. Funders are looking for projects that are likely to succeed, so having a strong budget and plan is key to showing you know what you’re doing.
Actually writing a compelling application can be the biggest hurdle for many people. When writing, you want to show you know who you are and what value you can provide your community, because that is the ultimate goal of funders. Keep in mind who is offering the grant, what their scope is and what they are telling you they want to achieve with this particular grant. Again, balance is required, where you want to show who you are but also keep your answers clear and direct. You want to be compelling enough to stand out amongst other applicants without being so wordy that the board deciding your fate loses interest.
If you can pull all these elements together, the last thing you want to do is double-check your work. Many grant advisory committees are inundated with applications, and if you are missing something they’ve asked for, that will often be enough to push you out of consideration.
While compiling the information in this way may make the task of grant writing feel insurmountable, grants can be a great resource for artists. Learning the process through trial and error can create huge opportunities in your career. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take it one step at a time, talk to your peers about their experience with grant writing and start with a grant that seems achievable and has a manageable deadline.
If that doesn’t work, reach out to me! My name is Annalisse, and I’m currently the grant writer at VVAF. Having successfully secured grants for the organization, I am now launching my freelance career in grant writing. Coming from a background in article writing and editing, I’m eager to put my skills into helping artists acquire the resources to focus on their art. I can help you toot your own horn when you might be too shy or struggle to find the word to do it yourself.
By Annalisse Crosswell
Check out my portfolio at www.annalissecrosswell.com to see my previous work and for contact details.