Last Tuesday we all met again. It's nice because we don't use the office...each one of us works and lives in different areas, therefore we meet in Newtown, have a drink and ...work.
We talked about the Grant for the Australia Council we have to apply for. The deadline is in May, therefore we have to work hard. The work to do is a lot...Edwina and I will work together on the application, make a draft and then bring it to the next meeting with the Director and Lucy (the collaborator).
Ok, even though this is a master in ART ADMINISTRATION, we haven't really been tought how to apply for a grant. Well, I did an assignment for the Management and Organisation class...but still...none told me how to deal with it, so now, in the 'real world' I have to deal with it myself...I guess just common sense and some reading...
Meanwhile I get really excited about the exhibition on Art, Environment and Sustainability that I'm going to work on....I'm already looking at possible grants...possible artists... It's gonna be great!
Sounds fun! I love works outside office >.<
ReplyDeleteMy god, grants- so true and so crucial to so many arts organisations in order to keep their hearts pumping. I have had to apply for and acquit a few grants in my roles and it is something that is distinctly lacking in the Art Admin course.
ReplyDeleteAcquitting is something else, never mind getting the grant, these are very involved as well and it pays to document the project along the way in every possible way, from what I have found. Photos, numbers, financial details, feedback- anything.
I went to a City of Sydney Grant writing workshop recently and one of the key points they kept bringing up was to make phone calls! Call the grant givers and ask questions, make sure you are ticking all the boxes, ask for advice and they will remember and your grant proposal will inevitably stand out.
If only we had that workshop (it only went for half a day) instead of a semester of management and organisation...
That workshop sounds like something every emerging art practitioner should go to! Unfortunately I also am unable to draw on anything from M&O class to help me. However I think that you probably learn more from first hand experience and get better with practice. Something that might be difficult to teach in a class!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have to agree with you all- M&O unfortunately did not give me many practical art skills which I have been able to apply in the arts world!
ReplyDeleteStill, as Georgie said, the best way to learn is to actually do it yourself....I hope it went well for you Marti and the project is still happening, I will look forward to your next update!
I agree that M&O didn't really equip us with the necessary skills, but there are a lot of people around who can provide advice (apparently there a a lot of 'consultants' who charge a fortune to help too!)
ReplyDeleteJust to join in the chorus.. i completely agree about the M&O class. My internship role is concerned with grants so i am also realising what a significant and critical hole in the curriculum that is.
ReplyDeleteFortunately for me i am working under experienced and specialised people.
Good luck!