We have all been there. You have the innovative idea for a new project. You have the collaborators. You have the skills. You also have no money, no rehearsal/studio space, and no gallery or theatre to show your work in. What does this mean for you and your project? Before you throw in the towel let's take a look at some funding sources for art projects, groups, and individual artists.
SUPPORT
Support can come in the form of grants, residencies, fiscal sponsorship, and in-kind donations just to name a few resources. Artists can even find personal health insurance through arts groups as well as personal expense emergency funds and arts exchange for doctor visits.
HUNTING FOR PROJECT FUNDING
Let's talk about some of the basics to get started in your hunt for project funding. First know what you have to offer. I suggest writing out anartist’s statement or a mission statement that is specific and has actionable points. You want to have some clear goals you can work towards and they will also act as a point of reference as you continue your work.
Do your research. Have an idea of other artists who are working in your field and have similar missions and statements. You'll want to do this to stay current and connected to peers/colleagues but also so you can speak clearly on how your project will fit into this section of the art world.
Outline a plan. Have clear ideas on the many possible ways your work can change the community it is in. Why this project? Why now? Make an effort to see your work from the point of view of other artists, of funders, and of the audience who will see it and try to see your work from their perspective. What are the weak areas of your proposal from the point of view of funders? What might confuse your audience or alienate your peers? Work out the answers to the questions you generate from this exercise before you move forward with pitching your project to the public. I recommend writing all of this down and keeping it on your computer in a format that you can easily pull to either use as a check-in point while you are writing grants or to perhaps use as a foundation for questions that might come up on applications.
BUDGET
Another thing you'll need to be clear on before you get started on fund raising is the budget you will need to work with. In my experience there are a few different ways that people approach this aspect of funding. There are those who will look at the project and find every way they can cut back on costs and build a budget around that. Then there are others who let their dream project get even bigger and more expensive as they work on the budget. You've already been so thorough as to write out an artists statement, a statement of purpose AND a mission statement so why not create a dream budget AND a cut-rate budget?
Once you have done this aim high and set your fund raising goals for the dream budget. Either you raise all the funds you need for your dream budget or you fall a little short but you already have a back-up budget to work with and your project will still live on. This might be unique advice since even the popular crowd funder, Kickstarter, will only give projects their funding if they meet their goal because working with an insufficient budget on a project, "sucks," (that is an exact quote from the Kickstarter network, I'd never be so crass!) You can make up your own mind but I do recommend the dream budget and the less-desirable-but-doable budget. If you're set on crowd sourcing then Indie GoGo will give you the funds even if your project doesn't make the set goal.
So go on and take a look at your goals as an artist. Write a statement of purpose if you don't already have one. Define your proposed project and take a look at it from a variety of angles and view points. Find the pitfalls in your pitch and come up with some solutions. Set your dream budget and then take a look at it with a critical eye and make some cuts. Once you do this you'll be ready to set out and start fundraising, which means you'll want to check in again with The Art Haus SLC for the next steps in your funding efforts.
-Sara Moncivais
Co-Founder
SUPPORT
Support can come in the form of grants, residencies, fiscal sponsorship, and in-kind donations just to name a few resources. Artists can even find personal health insurance through arts groups as well as personal expense emergency funds and arts exchange for doctor visits.
HUNTING FOR PROJECT FUNDING
Let's talk about some of the basics to get started in your hunt for project funding. First know what you have to offer. I suggest writing out anartist’s statement or a mission statement that is specific and has actionable points. You want to have some clear goals you can work towards and they will also act as a point of reference as you continue your work.
Do your research. Have an idea of other artists who are working in your field and have similar missions and statements. You'll want to do this to stay current and connected to peers/colleagues but also so you can speak clearly on how your project will fit into this section of the art world.
Outline a plan. Have clear ideas on the many possible ways your work can change the community it is in. Why this project? Why now? Make an effort to see your work from the point of view of other artists, of funders, and of the audience who will see it and try to see your work from their perspective. What are the weak areas of your proposal from the point of view of funders? What might confuse your audience or alienate your peers? Work out the answers to the questions you generate from this exercise before you move forward with pitching your project to the public. I recommend writing all of this down and keeping it on your computer in a format that you can easily pull to either use as a check-in point while you are writing grants or to perhaps use as a foundation for questions that might come up on applications.
BUDGET
Another thing you'll need to be clear on before you get started on fund raising is the budget you will need to work with. In my experience there are a few different ways that people approach this aspect of funding. There are those who will look at the project and find every way they can cut back on costs and build a budget around that. Then there are others who let their dream project get even bigger and more expensive as they work on the budget. You've already been so thorough as to write out an artists statement, a statement of purpose AND a mission statement so why not create a dream budget AND a cut-rate budget?
Once you have done this aim high and set your fund raising goals for the dream budget. Either you raise all the funds you need for your dream budget or you fall a little short but you already have a back-up budget to work with and your project will still live on. This might be unique advice since even the popular crowd funder, Kickstarter, will only give projects their funding if they meet their goal because working with an insufficient budget on a project, "sucks," (that is an exact quote from the Kickstarter network, I'd never be so crass!) You can make up your own mind but I do recommend the dream budget and the less-desirable-but-doable budget. If you're set on crowd sourcing then Indie GoGo will give you the funds even if your project doesn't make the set goal.
So go on and take a look at your goals as an artist. Write a statement of purpose if you don't already have one. Define your proposed project and take a look at it from a variety of angles and view points. Find the pitfalls in your pitch and come up with some solutions. Set your dream budget and then take a look at it with a critical eye and make some cuts. Once you do this you'll be ready to set out and start fundraising, which means you'll want to check in again with The Art Haus SLC for the next steps in your funding efforts.
-Sara Moncivais
Co-Founder
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