Are you applying for an arts grant, is the grant applicable to you. Check out the details!
We have discussed the five main issues when applying for funding or grants within the arts sector and identified that the main reason for the failure the lack of preparation given to the application. I want to expand on each step more in the next five posts.
The five steps were first to identify which grants you would like to apply for well before their submission dates and to leave any grants with a submission date within the next two weeks. Secondly, look to see if the grant applies to you. check out the award details. Thirdly, look at the amount of the award. Financially, does it fit with what you are doing? Fourthly, read the application form and make a checklist of all the supporting documents or information needed to apply. Finally, fifthly, step five asks that when you come to write the application, read the application carefully and make sure you you refer to the items mentioned in the remit of the award.
Recap of step one
Remember rule number one, it is critical that you identify your grant well in advance, place the dates for submissions on a calendar, and work backwards, looking at what you need to complete to achieve that submission date.
Recap of step two
Step two asks applicants to look and see if the grant applies to you. Check out the details. Does the grant really fit with the work that you do?
Moving Forward to step three
Having taken steps one and two on-board, let’s look at step three. Step three asks you to look at the amount of the award. Financially, does it fit with what you are doing? Even if the maximum award is €200,000, should you be applying for €200,000? Think about it: if you only are looking for an award of €20,000, only apply for €20,000. Achieving the maximum grant will be nearly impossible unless you have a considerable track record or the career experience necessary. So check the terms and conditions, the objectives, and what you must do before starting the application form.
Going a little deeper into step three
I am asking you to look at whether you actually feel that you can work with the amount you are requesting. If the grant is for a significant amount of money, then what are the chances that you will be awarded the grant based on your current track record? If you have no track record in receiving funding, then, being brutally honest, there is little chance that you will get the award. Funders like to see continuity; they want to know that their money will be well spent to achieve the maximum impact. So with no track record, there are doubts and red flags from the start. It would be best to make a strategic plan that allows you to grow your track record, start small and build up. Now small doesn’t have to be really small; it can be enough that helps you to start. Think about it as a 3- or 5-year plan. Think about it as a gradual progression from a small beginning so that you have built up that track record in a set period of time that allows you to go for the more significant awards. Also, remember that the larger the award, the more work is required, not only in the project itself but in the project’s reporting at the project’s end.
Building a plan will help you understand the grant process and the work required to apply, complete the work and finalise the grant reporting aspects. It will also indicate the timescales involved from application to finish, as this will be critically important in working out your work schedule. Finally, understanding your work scale will help you to plan for better and bigger projects.
Help with your applications and planning
Ian Oliver
Head of Operations
Head of Operations at Letcombe Production I have been working in the arts and culture sector for over 20 years in Ireland. I am passionate about business development for artists and creatives as well as building totally inclusive societies.
Letcombe Production
The Digital Agency For Arts & Cultural Organisations
Letcombe Production is dedicated to the arts, creative and social enterprise sectors. Our website has dedicated reels on running your creative or artistic practice as a business, articles and opportunities for artists. In addition, we can organise digital media, marketing, project management, grant writing, application assessment, and tools to help you run your creative and artistic practice.
Working predominantly with arts and social enterprises, Letcombe Production can assist in all getting projects from idea to distribution. We can look after any size of project.
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