If you are an artist, there are several reasons why you should be seeking grant and fellowship support for your work:

• money to make art, learn more, and develop career;
• support for the scope and completion of specific art works;
• recognition and encouragement;
• credentials in the artistic community; and
• because you’re a worker, and workers get paid.

If you are an artist, there are reasons why you think you don’t need money in support of your art work:

• I make art; I don’t seek money.
• My work stands for itself; I don’t want to talk about/explain my work.
• I have a day job that pays me enough to live. I don’t need money.
• I haven’t developed enough as an artist to ask for support.
• Fundraising is salesy, and I don’t want to do it.

People, my eyes were opened to both of these sets of reasons when, in April, I gave a guest lecture/workshop to students at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA), at the invitation of an artist who teaches a class there on “Creative Futures,” which helps undergraduate and graduate students plan for the career part of being an artist.

Because I worked in development for many years before becoming a writing teacher in 2003, and because I’ve had significant experience doing freelance grant-writing more recently, I was invited.

But… I have never applied for grant support myself (for writing projects) nor have I helped any individuals seek grant or fellowship support.

I turned, therefore, to my artist and writer friends for their insights into and advice on the world of grants and fellowships.

Continue reading →