Tuesday:
PREPARE FOR POP UP SHOW!
- Let's Take Over the Art Department! --I am curating an exhibition and you all are in it.
- Bring a ten dollar bill to donate for beverages or plan to bring a cheese/cracker fruit plate instead.
- Work on our Promo Materials and organize our POP UP Exhibition!
- Make an 11x17 poster THAT MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Semi-Annual Pop Up Exhibition
THURSDAY, Dec 4th @ 5PM
ART WING/BLD 82
- Blast our event on Facebook!
- Introduction to Grants and Funding Opportunities---Tips for Grant Writing
1. Set clear goals. Artists have the same need for money as most folks, but to receive a grant you have to identify a specific art-related need. You must be able to clearly define a feasible goal that costs a specific amount of money. For example, you may want to take a course or workshop, mount an exhibition, produce a catalog or create marketing material.
2. Find the right match. This may sound more like dating advice, but, when it comes to getting grants, shared goals are essential. Find the organization that provides funds for exactly what you want to accomplish. It’s important not to twist and distort your goals to fit the expectations of the funding source. When you read the goal/mission statement you should think to yourself, “Hey, that’s me they’re talking about.” If not, its probably not the right fit.
3. Share your passion. Your artwork will speak to your talent, but your proposal has to illuminate what motivates you to create. It’s important to let the granter know that you have the drive to meet your goal.
4. Follow directions. Being unique is wonderful when you’re making art, but when preparing a grant proposal, it’s absolutely necessary to do as you’re told. Include all the requested material in an organized packet. Write your narrative to include all the required information. If the prospectus stipulates a one-page narrative, three pages will not be even more impressive. Put yourself in the place of the person receiving your packet. Spare that person the headache of searching for missing items or reading through a long, rambling narrative. Make sure your submission is clear and to the point.
5. Create a realistic project budget. Make sure you request enough money to complete your goal—this requires careful planning. Contact people who’ve done similar projects and ask if there were any unexpected costs. Get current estimates. Don’t base your budget on last year’s prices. Once you’ve gathered this information, present it in a clear, concise budget. Be sure to note all costs, even those that you may plan to cover yourself.
6. Get feedback. Show your proposal to other artists who’ve taken on similar projects. Granters will sometimes organize meetings to assist applicants in the preparation of their proposals. Some organizations generously offer to preview submissions. Take full advantage of this assistance.
7. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. It’s important to persevere and not let rejection paralyze you. I follow up with questions when I get a rejection letter, and contact the granting organization for feedback on the proposal. YES! They will tell you why your application was less successful than others. Ask who was accepted, so you can learn from the success of other talented people. Finally, focus on the next project.
Thursday:
- POP UP SHOW! 5-9PM
- Print your artist statement, and a title card to hang next to your work(s).
- Add it to your CV as this is an official line for your resume. You're welcome. It should read as follows:
2014 Semi-Annual POP-UP Exhibition, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL (Invitational)
