Let’s talk grants…

The benefits of receiving an artist grant reach far beyond the financial component. They look amazing on a CV, and the practice you get from condensing a whole project into 300 or so words is absolutely helpful in many other situations. (And if you apply at artsnb, you are also guaranteed to receive valuable feedback on your application, whether you get a yes or a no!)

Still, the process can be daunting and sometimes mistakes get made. That’s why, with the help of Program Officer Sarah-Jonathan Parker from artsnb, we’ve compiled a list of the top 3 slip-ups that often sneak their way into applicants’ submissions, as well as share some tips on how you can avoid them!

 (Bonus: read through to the end for other mistakes you might be making that didn’t quite make our list!)

Mistake #3: Sharing Background Info Too Soon.

We get it. Humans are storytellers, and we often make sense of our lives through narratives that unfold in chronological order. But when explaining your project to a jury, you’ve got to start with the here-and-now, YOUR PROJECT. If you do decide to include a backstory, it will mean more to your audience AFTER they know what it is you are proposing. Don’t leave them hanging as you wistfully recall childhood days of counting flower petals from the back of your grandpa’s ride-on lawn mower. Start with the project, and if it’s really relevant, you can return to your childhood later. Don’t worry, you’re going to have lots of opportunities to explain your artistic development in more detail, but grant applications are not the place for sharing your life story.

Mistake #2: Mixing Art with Business.

Don’t take up valuable space in your application talking about the business side of your art endeavour. We all have to make a living, yes, and your art may be your job, but business goals are not what most art grants are here to help you with. Applicants need to be able to compartmentalize their creative practice and keep it separate from their entrepreneurial aspirations. When preparing your application, keep your focus on the art and not on future sales. (P.S. This isn’t just about money, in the age of social media, including a desire for more followers in your proposal is also a no-no.)

Mistake #1: Not Explaining the Impact.

When it comes to awarding grants, it’s important to remember that it’s not all about determining if your art is “good enough.” The IMPACT of your proposed project is equally as important. While considering impact, many of us will jump straight to big societal issues—maybe preserving the environment or raising awareness about racial injustice—and while these are noble aspirations worth including, don’t forget to share the smaller-scale and more personal developments as well. The selection team wants to know how following through on this venture will impact yourself as an artist. How will it push you? What will you learn? It is also important to include the influence it will have on your discipline. Will it add something new? Or perhaps work to uphold longstanding traditions? Spend time reflecting on the impact you want to make, and craft your words carefully. Not only will it help you with grants, but it is also a very valuable exercise for refining your art practice.

If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t panic. The amazing Sarah-Jonathan has been kind enough to provide us with a simple formula to keep in mind when it comes to grant applications.

Just remember: WHAT, HOW, WHY?