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I was lucky enough to get a #DYCP grant a couple of years ago. While it's only part of the equation, I'm fortunate enough to have had A LOT of experience of writing applications. I don't really any capacity to coach people one on one at the moment but I can offer some tips...
1. Don't worry about trying to justify why the kind of art you make, or art in general, is needed. Use the space to inspire. Trust people reading the application want art to thrive.
2. Writing about your background and practice.
If you could sum up what inspires you to make work and how you go about it in one sentence each, what would they be?
If you could sum up what inspires you to make work and how you go about it in one sentence each, what would they be?
3. Back it up!
Wherever possible, use a quote from a peer, an audience member, a review etc to support what you say. Do you make beautiful sound designs? It sounds more convincing when other people say it too.
Wherever possible, use a quote from a peer, an audience member, a review etc to support what you say. Do you make beautiful sound designs? It sounds more convincing when other people say it too.
4. What will be different for you as a result of the grant?
This grant is about your personal development so focus on what you think you and your career will look like at the end of the period. Paint a picture of the future for the reader.
This grant is about your personal development so focus on what you think you and your career will look like at the end of the period. Paint a picture of the future for the reader.
5. What will be different for the sector as a result of the grant?
Put the change to your personal practice in the context of the wider sector. How do you hope to make your field of work a more vibrant, exciting, fairer, inclusive and adventurous place?
Put the change to your personal practice in the context of the wider sector. How do you hope to make your field of work a more vibrant, exciting, fairer, inclusive and adventurous place?
6. Get someone who knows nothing about your application and your field of work to read your draft proposal.
Does it make sense to someone who doesn't know the jargon we sometimes fall back on?
Does it make sense to someone who doesn't know the jargon we sometimes fall back on?
7. Share skills in your network if you can. It may be that writing isn't your strength but you know someone who loves it. Team up, help each other out if you can.
8. Don't worry about every small detail.
It's important to show you have a plan, but you don't need every collaborator confirmed, or every event certain to go ahead. Changes always happen. Just demonstrate you've thought about it practically.
It's important to show you have a plan, but you don't need every collaborator confirmed, or every event certain to go ahead. Changes always happen. Just demonstrate you've thought about it practically.
9. Supporting document.
I don't remember there being clear guidance on exactly how to approach this. Me, I included a review of my work AND a supporting letter from someone who knew me well. IMHO, If you have 2 pages to play with, play away!
I don't remember there being clear guidance on exactly how to approach this. Me, I included a review of my work AND a supporting letter from someone who knew me well. IMHO, If you have 2 pages to play with, play away!
10. Don't overpromise
In this climate, I think it's dangerously easy to think you have to deliver the moon on a stick to get funding. You don't. Make a plan that leaves you and your collaborators time to rest.
In this climate, I think it's dangerously easy to think you have to deliver the moon on a stick to get funding. You don't. Make a plan that leaves you and your collaborators time to rest.
11. You deserve to be paid for your time, and that time can be spent learning.
If what you need is a month in your bedroom to study, experiment, and dream, ask for it, and ask to be paid an amount that feels fair to you.
If what you need is a month in your bedroom to study, experiment, and dream, ask for it, and ask to be paid an amount that feels fair to you.
12. Ask for examples
If you have peers who've been successful, as if you can see their draft, or if they'll help by reading yours. They may not have time, or there may be reasons why they want / need to keep it private but if you don't ask, you don't get.
If you have peers who've been successful, as if you can see their draft, or if they'll help by reading yours. They may not have time, or there may be reasons why they want / need to keep it private but if you don't ask, you don't get.
I hope this helps. I think it's a huge shame that a written application is the main way that these decisions are made, and it's not accessible to everyone. If you need access support, reach out to ACE as they can help meet some of the costs.
And one last thing: a rejection from this pot might feel much more personal than from a project grant (after all, it's your practice, something much closer to you, your skills and dreams). But there really are far more applications than there is funding. Be gentle with yourself.
