The Secrets of Grantwriting Revealed! Guest Post by Gigi Rosenberg, Grant Guru

Hi everyone. Sorry about the problems I've had lately with blogger turning my text into tiny indecipherable sentences. I'm not sure what is going on but hopefully I'll fix it. In the meantime, I'm about to run off to Ohio to give a couple lectures and do a reading at Ashland University's low-residency MFA Program for Writers. But before I do, as promised....here is the guest blog post by Gigi Rosenberg, wonderful grant guru. She wrote a terrific book called The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing last year and it is helpful for everyone in the arts. AND, if you are lucky, you can win a copy of her book! GO TO GIGI'S WEBSITE after reading her post and sign up on her mailing list if you want to try to win a copy of her book: http://gigirosenberg.com/


Have a great August and enjoy Gigi's pearls of wisdom.
Mirabee

  

Gigi Rosenberg travels the country teaching artists how to ace their grant proposals. She told me recently that she keeps hearing the same questions from artists over and over so I asked her to write down some of the questions and her answers so we could all benefit.

She will raffle off one copy of her book The Artist’sGuide to Grant Writing for anyone who signs up for her mailing list by midnight tonight. When you sign up, you’ll also receive two free tip sheets – one on grant writing and one on how to make a great presentation.

Gigi Rosenberg won her first unofficial grant as a 14-year old when she convinced her parents to fork over the cash to buy 5 rolls of Super 8 Kodachrome to shoot her first film. Today, she works as a writer, speaker, and artist coach for visual, literary and performing artists. She wrote The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing (Watson-Guptill, 2010) to teach artists and writers how to win grants, fundraise creatively, and ensure that every second they spend writing a proposal pushes their art further into the world. For the latest, visit gigirosenberg.com.

How do I know when I’m ready to apply for a grant?

To apply for a grant you need a body of work. To create a body of work usually takes a few years working steadily in your medium. In general, most artists wait too long before applying for a grant. Who among us ever feels fully “cooked”? I don’t think that feeling goes with being an artist.

It’s certainly never too early to learn about grants, attend workshops about grants for artists or study applications. The questions you need to answer on those applications will help you define who you are as an artist and what you are creating.

You’ll also know if you’re ready if you have some accolades on your resume that show the support you’ve received from others – this could include shows you’ve been in, publications, other grants you’ve won, awards or any other recognition for your work.

If you really are a newbie then make sure the granting organization is interested in funding “young” or “emerging” artists.

Where do I research?

The first place to start your research is in your own studio or at your writer’s desk. Review the work you’ve done. Ask: Where have I been? What am I doing now? Where am I heading with my work? What’s my vision for 1 year, 5 year and 20 years from now? What kind of support would take me there?

Your own work is the best place to start. Then, have conversations with colleagues. Meet with an artist or career coach. When you know where you’re going you’ll be clear on what you need to grow and develop your work and you’ll know what you’re looking for.

It might be a residency, a project grant or a professional development grant.

Once you’ve decided what opportunity you’re looking for then turn to “The Source” on the NYFA website, your state arts commission, Mira’s list or the list of resources on my website can be your next stop. www.gigirosenberg.com/resources

How do I keep going in the face of all that rejection?

It helps to remember that famous artists get rejected all the time too. It’s part of the process of putting your work out there. It’s aggravating and can be demoralizing which is why it’s important to have close friends and colleagues who support you and your work no matter what. Also, as important as it is to be submitting to competitive venues, it’s also vital to put your work in the world in ways that you control. This might mean reading at an Open Mic night at the local coffee house, showing your latest work to a few friends, participating in a writers group or critique group. If you’re relying on funding organizations and people whose only job it is to judge you – that can drive you crazy. Build your own support team.

As an artist, a good attitude is essential – but even a good attitude takes work! When I’ve been grumpy, dejected for too long, showing up at my writing desk is even harder. Do the work so you can work unhampered by the wet blanket of rejection.

When an artist tells me how few rejections they’ve received, I don’t think “oh, they must be good,” I know this means they are not sending out enough applications. Be proud of that rejection pile. It’s shows your grit and tenacity!

I applied for one grant and didn’t get it. It was a ton of work. How do I know if it’s worth applying again?

If you can, ask the funder for feedback as to why you were rejected. You might find out that you were the next in line. Or you might find out that this grant was not a good match for you.

Some funders won’t give feedback. If that’s the case, then you can turn to your colleagues – especially if you know others who’ve won the grant. Ask them for feedback.

Also, read the guidelines and the criteria for applying, once again. Were you the perfect match? If you think you really were then you should apply again. Some funders like to see their applicants apply a couple of times before winning. This shows tenacity.

Use the application process to do all the homework and marketing preparation that you need to be doing anyway. That way, if you don’t win, you have some very valuable work completed like a revised artist statement, updated resume, succinct project description, and so on. Make the grant writing process work for you!

I want to end with a quote from Theater Director Anne Bogart about fundraising. It’s from her book And Then, You Act: Making Art in an Unpredictable World (Routledge, 2007). I couldn’t agree more!

Consider the pursuit of support and raising money as part of your artistic process… It is a way of meeting people, building community and articulating ideas, concepts, and intentions… If you have an idea for a project by the time you’ve described it to forty people it will be a better idea.

Download a FREE excerpt of my book at (www.gigirosenberg.com/book), check out the funding resources list (www.gigirosenberg.com/resources), sign up for my mailing list and receive two tip sheets – one on grant writing and one on how to make a great presentation. Join the conversation on Facebook at The Artist’s Guide To Grant Writing Facebook page.