My tips for writing grants and thinking about projects

In no particular order, here are some tips or helpful points to look at. I add to this whenever something useful crops up.

• If you can, create both an individual and organisational profile on Grantium. That way you can apply for different grants at the same time.

• Partners endorse quality, their involvement doesn’t have to be big, even if they simply know about the project and like the idea, that counts and they should be included.

• Most applications involve sub-projects or different phases to the application. These should be as connected to the central ‘idea’ of the Project. The idea makes a connecting whole. Idea (deriving from ‘form, pattern’ and ‘to see’).

• DYCP: A DYCP application will be marked down if it is potentially better funded by NLPG. Be sure that your DYCP application is a development opportunity for you and avoid creation processes. Otherwise, apply for NLPG.

• We are submitting your application in a competitive climate. You should have elements to your application which give the best possible chance of success. i.e. the activity takes place in a Priority Place or LUCP area, your application is heavily match funded, the partners involved in the project are of high quality.

  
  

A special note on Partners

For all artists, especially ‘emerging’, building relationships with more established venues or partners is a key element to your career in the long term (i.e. the next project you do), as important as it is to make the best show, it's also important to sustain yourself. If you only focus on the project in-hand, you essentially have to start all over again as soon as the grant has run its course and the same feelings that you had when there was not a project on the horizon resurface again. Building relationships with partners could add dates to your future tour, give you in-kind rehearsal space, meet new collaborators and overall be and feel more supported in the work you do.

Some questions to get you started

I’d encourage anyone to not only think about what they want to make but consider the following:

• What could the future look like after the project?

• Who might be your allies in helping you get to where you want to be?

• How could you create more income for you/your company?

• How can you improve your artistry?

• How might you solve an industry problem?