Arts Council grants

12 posts / 0 new

Topic locked

Thu, 2006-03-16 14:19

Arts Council grants

I'm started to have a go at putting together a proposal for an Arts Council grant, under their 'Grants for the Arts' scheme, and I was wondering if anyone in ABC-land had or was thinking of doing the same? It seems to be such a minefield of complications, so I was wondering if anyone had any words of advice on the kind of think they are looking for (writing-wise), what specifically to claim money for, etc, etc, etc.

*** pepsoid ***

Thu, 2006-03-16 14:54

tcook

Yes - we have! Be very clear about the guidnelines for funding and make sure that your project fits their funding priorities. The form itself is pretty simple - but make sure that you have sufficient matching funds (which can be work in kind) to make the target. Without more detail on what it is you are applying for it's difficutl to give more advice. Maybe you should try and fill it out once and then get others who have been through the process successfully to check it out before sending it in. Have you spoken to your local Arts Council officer about what is required? They will almost always meet with you and run through the process before you fill in the form.

Thu, 2006-03-16 15:09

pepsoid

Thanks, TC! Basically, I've decided I need some time, where I don't have to go out temping and such, to compile and self-publish a collection of my Larry and Mick stories. From what I've seen on the Arts Council website, they seem very into funding writers to 'buy time.' Also my girlfriend, a photographer, is presently putting together 2 proposals (one for a group of photographers she is in, for an exhibition, and one for a personal project), and from her discussions with the AC, it seems they are less into the whole 'for the good of the community' thing than they used to be, and more into supporting artists' career advancement - at least in respect of photography. I'm trying to discern whether or not this is the case for writing... I have made initial contact with my local AC Literature Officer, but he/his assistant wants me to come up with a draft proposal, to discuss or email to him, before arranging an actual meeting. Regarding speaking to previous succesful applicants, I've downloaded a spreadsheet from the AC website of succesful applications from writers in 2004-5, which I've started working my way down, but so far no success in finding actual contact details! Any advice on this? Don't suppose you'd know anyone yourself who's applied for a grant for the kind of thing I want to do? Or can advise of a good place to start looking for such people? I suppose it might be worthwhile speaking directly to the AC for this, but it seems at the mo to be a bit of a Catch-22, in that they won't talk to me until they have seen a draft proposal, but I'm having problems drafting this proposal until I've spoken to previous succesful applicants... gaahhhh!! Anyway, still working on it... Any contacts or info you can possibly offer re this would be most appreciated!! :-) * P * :-)

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Thu, 2006-03-23 12:01

fergal

I recently got an Arts council grant, and basically it took me about 3 months to fill in the application properly... you need to work out a budget for your 'project'... they will not give you money for time if the time isn't for a specific thing... you may need things like equipment (I put a computer in my budget, as I haven't had one in years), research trips (I've got 3 planned during the 6 month course of the grant), but you also have to match the money they'd give you with your own - and get things 'in kind', like other writers to give you time, or free accomodation with friends on your research trip and that kind of thing. You have to match 10% or 20% I think - you can't put money down for things like 'bills' or 'rent', unless the bills are specific to the project (i.e. broadband for research, for example)... you can speak to someone at your local arts council about applications - they are very helpful. I was lucky enough to get on this Escalator scheme, where you are basically escorted through the application process. It is very competitive - and you have to convince them that your project will meet at least one of their Aims. My project is to get a saleable draft of a novel by September. I've got mentoring, research trips, equipment and 'time' as part of my grant. I've matched that with free accomodation on the research trips, a grant for an Arvon course, regular meetings with a writer friend of mine to check my progress, and 12 days paid by 'me'... If you are applying for time you need to charge a professional writer's rate, which is about Â£150 per day. Um, I realise that was a long post, but I hope it helps.

Thu, 2006-03-23 13:05

pepsoid

Very helpful, Fergal, thanks! I've made initial enquiries with Adrian Johnson, the West Midlands Literature Officer, who advised, amongst other things, that I need to mention a publisher or agent who is 'in tune' with my writing - unfortunately such a thing does not yet exist! Did you have a publisher/agent interested? If not, how did you get around this one? re "they will not give you money for time if the time isn't for a specific thing" - does it have to be for one big specific project, or can it be for numerous things? - e.g. working on a book, converting some short stories into scripts for performance at theatres and/or on TV/radio, getting some professional mentoring and advice, attending short courses, buying equipment, etc. Re the time thing, did you basically say something like "I want Â£150 per day for days per week for weeks, during which time I will do "...? As you've been there/done that/bought the t-shirt, I may be badgering you with many more questions!! :-) * P * :-)

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Thu, 2006-03-23 13:25

pepsoid

A couple more questions! Firstly, the big one... how much did you ask for/get? Secondly, how did you find out about this 'Escalator' scheme? Thanks again! :-) * P * :-)

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Thu, 2006-03-23 17:53

ivoryfishbone

i wouldn't expect the arts council to fund self publishing ... maybe they would but i would be very surprised ... i've always got the impression self publishing or POD are looked down upon by those literary folk ...

Thu, 2006-03-23 20:27

bobblehat2023

"i wouldn't expect the arts council to fund self publishing ... maybe they would but i would be very surprised ..." Yeah. I think it's extremely unlikely. Given the fairly limited public demand for most books that publishers do want to publish, the Arts Council would struggle to justify chucking its cash at stuff that hasn't aroused any interest yet.

Thu, 2006-03-23 21:36

maddan

I was talking about arts grants not long ago to a friend who is sort of peripherally involved in a lot of it (for the sort of art that sits in gallerys and people look at, rather than the sort that sits in book shops and people don't buy). His one piece of advice was: live in Leicestor, apparently there's more arts type money going there than anywhere else in the UK. He also said it was pretty much par for the course for the recepient of the grant to blow most of itt absynthe, or a big telly, or whaterver floated their boat, and then panic. The arts council rarely follow up any of the money they've spent.

Fri, 2006-03-24 11:32

#10

fergal

I don't think they would fund self publishing - they want your project to reach as many people as possible as it will have a big Thanks to the Arts Council in the front... Um, yes, I asked for one day a week for 3 months or something, some of which I funded myself... You can apply for up to Â£7,000 but are more likely to get it perhaps if you ask for Â£5,000 or less (it takes half the time for it to process). I was nominated for the Escalator scheme, but some people nominate themselves. This was an East Anglia specific project, but there are bound to be similar all over the country. Really, they don't like - I may be wrong, but I may also have not understood - money that isn't channelled into finishing some kind of end product. They want you to have something to show them before they give you your final chunk of money. Someone I know got Â£2000 to have mentoring with a very well known writer, and someone else got Â£1500 to go on a writer's retreat in America... but it was all part of the project...

Fri, 2006-03-24 11:42

#11

fergal

To be honest, they are a lot of hard work and you are not guarenteed any money unless you are really good, with a really good idea... I know a few people who are brilliant and didn't get them...

Fri, 2006-03-24 12:05

#12

pepsoid

Thanks again, Fergal! Thinking cap on then... :-) * P * :-)

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Topic locked