Nancy Hytone Leb Creating Work Samples That Work For Your Application October 22, 2014

The Discussion Why Work Samples Matter Work Sample Criteria Work Sample Review Work Samples That Don’t Work Work Samples That Do Work The Basics Q & A

Why Work Samples Matter Scoring Brings the proposal to life

Why Work Samples Matter It’s ALL about the work Criteria 1 - Artistic Quality of Organization - 40% Criteria 2 - Organizational Readiness (I) or Management Capacity (II) - 15% Criteria 3 - Quality of Project Plan - 20% Criteria 4 - Quality of Evaluation - 5% Criteria 5 - Awareness/Responsiveness to Community (or relationship with Audience/Community) – 20%

Why Work Samples Matter Brings the proposal to life. Reflection of your mission and your organization. Engagement tool Speaks for your organization far beyond the narrative.

Work Sample Criteria Relevant to the application. Connecting the dots to the narrative? Demonstrating clarity and uniqueness? Recent High Quality Discipline-specific

Work Sample Review Applications/samples are reviewed as part of a group of similar-sized and discipline-specific organizations. Panelists reviewing applications both individually and as a group.

Work Samples That Don’t Work “Background music sample drowned out the students playing.” “Submitted 60-minute work sample with no direction about what to view.” “Work sample did not show engaged children.” “Personal commentary not appropriate for artistic sample.” “Quality of recording not representative of live experience and did not demonstrate a strong vision.”

Work Samples That Don’t Work “Letter of support out of date.” “Video submission needs editing. 3-5 minutes only and include participant reaction.” “Sample provided did not show the full breadth of programming.” “Submit a recent work sample.” “Include more details about the sample.” “Sample did not display sophisticated artistry.”

Work Samples That Don’t Work “Difficult to actually see the performers in sample provided.” “Need to include context for submission.” “Needs to communicate project’s importance.” “Cannot sense the quality of the art featured in the program.” “Marketing tool not an appropriate work sample.”

Work Samples That Work Los Angeles Drama Club (OGP I, Arts Education) Proposal Ask: To increase support for Co- Producing Artistic Directors. These positions currently receive a small stipend. For the health and sustainability of the organizations, these positions need to receive compensation more commensurate with their responsibilities.

Work Samples That Work Los Angeles Drama Club (OGP I, Arts Education) “Excellent engagement of young students with Shakespeare.” “Quality learning and teaching is excellent.” “Strong artistic quality.”

Work Samples That Work Dance Camera West (OGP I – Media Arts) Proposal Ask: To support the salary for our Festival Coordinator to produce our Annual Dance Camera West Media Film Festival and on-going programs. “Strong audience engagement.” “Well respected, high quality work.” “Strong connection to human body.” “Attempting to bridge media and dance arts.”

Work Samples That Work Vincent Price Art Museum (OGP 2, Visual Arts) Proposal Ask: To support (1) a Development Associate consultant position and (2) to upgrade our development software with the database Patron Manager CRM system. “Interesting mix of high-quality exhibitions and programs.” “Valued community resource.” “Collections and programs relevant to the community.

Work Samples That Work CONTRA-TIEMPO (OGP 2-Dance/Arts Ed) Proposal Ask: To partially support the Artistic Director’s salary. We have secured additional funding to cover the difference. “High quality, exciting and original work.” “Strong, extremely clear mission.” “Accessible and engaging programming.”

Work Samples That Work Thoughts/Questions?

The Basics Strongest samples first that clearly represent your organization. Specific, clear and articulate Artistic Documentation Index. Follow requirements and guidelines for your discipline. Manage your time and prepare for uploading issues.

Conclusions The work sample is a marketing piece for your organization. You know what the “audience” wants and needs to make a decision. Engage them in the work you do!

Questions?