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creating your own corner for what you believe in, within the arts, is tough & requires resources. to start community projects we* applied to schemes: @RSLiterature lit matters award, @scottishbktrust emerging programmer/BWS fund, @CreativeScots open-project fund & @UoE_IAD grants
* although in a few cases I applied for these things alone, often, these applications were written and received in collaboration with others (see @ScotBAMEwriters). I can't recommend having co-applicants or a committee structure enough
many things I applied to, such as the @RSLiterature & @scottishbktrust EP fund, didn't require a ton of credentials to my name. I received them with little on my CV (I don't think they even required a CV to apply..!). what seemed to really matter was the idea, the spaces created
it wasn't until later in my career that I realised I should always include payment for myself as organiser in my applications, so please don't forget to do this. my recent experience is that these schemes want you to be paid -- (well, except for my experience with uni funding
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another thing is that many of these applications ask you to have some connection with 'partners.' and again, in my experience, if you have a good idea that follows the ethos of a particular organisation, they're usually quite happy to provide a letter of support -- reach out!
lit orgs may be able to support a project with inkind donations (eg. venue space) which also helps bolster apps
often we have to create our own spaces because some orgs with prestige, history, or clout don't stand up for underrep voices until it's marketable or useful to them
often we have to create our own spaces because some orgs with prestige, history, or clout don't stand up for underrep voices until it's marketable or useful to them
& to sustain these projects, resources are so necessary... do you know of / want to share any other funding schemes that can help lift ideas off the ground?
