1. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS

2. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Introduction
Preparing proposals is an essential skill because most funding requires a formal proposal.
To secure funding whether it be a commission, residency or other source you need to prepare an outline of what you want to do in order to open communication with the funder.
The three most common mistakes:
Poor research
A “one size fits” all approach
Failure to view the process from the funders perspective

3. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Defining the project:
What is the purpose of the project?
What are the main objectives?
Who will benefit?
(general public, local community, education-other artists)
What is the time frame?
What do you hope to achieve and how will you achieve it?

4. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Funding organisations such as trusts or art councils
usually have specific guidelines and criteria to which
they must adhere to.
Key questions:
Can your art practice or idea live comfortably in
conjunction with the intentions of the commissioner?
Is the funding suitable for the project?
Is there any flexibility in the funding strategy?

5. Robert Morris Glass Labyrinth at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park,
Kansas City, Missouri

6. Research APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
First research into their website and guidelines and determine if you qualify.
Do they have a manifesto or mandate?
(National arts plan “Partnership for the Arts”)
What types of funding are you eligible for? (criteria)
Surrealist Group and André Breton, Paris, 1959

7. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Is the type of funding suitable or compatible with your project?
Examine the detail in the terms & conditions of funding-legalities
What organisations or artists have they funded in the past?
Ask artists who have been successful in obtaining funding what their experiences of working with that particular organisation or commissioner.

8. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Preparing a proposal-guidelines
The idea
is it creative & challenging?
try to distinguish yourself
Curriculum Vitae
try to make interesting & engaging & include your experience
Artists Statement
a description of your materials, processes & methodologies
make it interesting and readable from the commissioner’s perspective

9. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Aims: Specify what you intend to engage in overall
Rationale: Be clear & concise on why you are interested in this aim
Objectives:
-specify what you want to achieve & how you wish to achieve it
-the tasks you wish to undertake
Preparing a proposal-guidelines

10. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Preparing a proposal-guidelines
Context: How will the project establish a context within
your professional practice & aid in its development?
Ethics: Is there any ethical or legislative considerations
you need to plan for?
gallery or exhibition contract
copyright, data protection
terms & conditions of funding
sponsorship logos etc.

11. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Budget
Design a detailed spreadsheet covering all costs including VAT
(valued added tax).
-Indicate the prospective income & expenditure
-Include that the costs are fixed for a period of time due to the effects of inflation–fuel for example.

12. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Visual Information
-make sure the images are of good quality, well presented & relevant to the application
-images can be on a DVD, video, jpegs, or 35 mm slides.

13. APPLYING FOR FUNDING & COMMISSIONS
Research:
Primary (your own work) & Secondary (library,internet,etc.)
Action Plan:
Explain how you are going to realise your aims & objectives in a planned strategy.
Timeframe: how long is going to take?
Risk Assessment-Health & Safety
Risk assessments have to be made in advance of exhibition installation and before public access.

14. “A LAZY ARTIST NEVER CREATES A MASTERPIECE”