If you’re a professional artist working in Newfoundland and Labrador, chances are you’re familiar with ArtsNL’s Professional Project Grants Program (PPGP). Since its inception, the program has helped countless artists create new work in dance, film, music, multidisciplinary arts, theatre, visual arts and writing by supporting various project costs. If you’ve ever started the process of applying for a grant and felt overwhelmed, our upcoming workshop is here for you.
On Wednesday, February 8, join ArtsNL’s Katrina Rice as she walks participants through the application process (including best practices, how to write a clear project description and budget, etc.) during the most popular offering in our Business Workshops for Artists series. It’s free, hosted online, and all are welcome. (Click here to learn more.)
Katrina kindly answered some questions for us in advance of one of her previous workshops, so we’re sharing that interview again in the hopes that it’ll help as you navigate the application process this year. (You can also click here to check out another Q&A we did with Katrina and Reg Winsor in 2016.) Have further questions? Make sure to bring them along to the February 8th workshop!
Business & Arts NL: Is there anything that makes a grant application stand head and shoulders above the rest? What can artists do to increase their chances of success?
Katrina Rice: Unfortunately, there isn’t a formula to write a grant application that is a guarantee to funding. However, there are good practices to creating a grant application. Before applying for an arts grant ask yourself questions such as: What will I do? Where will I create it? Where will it show or be presented? When will the creation happen? When will it be seen? How will I create the work? Why is the project important to my artistic growth and development? How does the project connect to, depart or build on my past work? Why is this project important to my artistic career now? Once you can answer questions like that, you can probably present a clear idea of what you are intending on creating.
Business & Arts NL: What are some common mistakes you have seen in the past with regards to grant applications/the submission of them?
KR: Sometimes an application can seem rushed, so I usually advise applicants to start early. A month or more is needed to develop all the aspects of an application. Also, be clear in the project description and use support material that is in direct support of the proposed project.
Business & Arts NL: For those who may feel overwhelmed by the application process (especially those applying for the first time), any words of wisdom you can share with them?
KR: Break up the application process, take your time, and seek out help. When it comes to initially writing a project description, you might use a prompt question and write for 10 minutes. This allows you to get your thoughts onto paper or have another strategy to get your initial ideas and thoughts onto paper. This will give you points to build your first draft. When writing a budget, start writing a list of expenses and write down everything you will need, and get price quotes when possible rather than guessing at amounts. Read the application before starting to complete the application form and always call ArtsNL with any questions. We are happy to answer any questions to help with the process.
Workshop: Grant Writing with ArtsNL
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 8 from 1-2:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Price: Free
Registration: Click here
Stay tuned for our next workshop, Income Tax for Freelance Artists with Jeannie French of KPMG LLP, coming up on March 8 (click here to learn more). Keep your eyes on our website and social media as we announce more exciting workshops soon!
