Tips for funding applications
Author: Blogger in Residence, Anna Disley-Simpson
A prevalent and often overwhelming element of a composer’s life is applications to fund a new project. Whether it’s travel, materials, or venue hire that need to be covered, writing a successful application requires a specific set of skills fairly separate from our creative lives.
Hopefully the following pointers can potentially help you out – though of course this is advice built upon just my own experience!
Have a really bold, clear idea.
Something that captures attention immediately. Be mega-specific in describing your creative project whilst ensuring that you can also summarise it in just a few succinct, sentences. In terms of the language you use, it should be plain and non-fussy – it is particularly easy to fall into the trap of being too ‘flowery’ and overly-descriptive when you’re super passionate about something! I’ve definitely made this mistake.
Be sure that your project is an ideal fit for the funding body.
There is no use in applying to a scheme which asks for finished pieces when your project is still in its gestation period, or vice versa, for example. Once you’re sure that the opportunity is right for you, start to consider and evaluate the funder’s priorities, note them down, and make sure you cover each of these points in your project description. Perhaps you should be emphasising your usage of a specific form of technology, the crossing of genres or mediums, a collaborative or educational element, or something else. It all depends one that which is important to the funding organisation.
Provide evidence that your work is not only desirable but needed.
The people sifting through these applications will have seen hundreds of varied and exciting ideas, so it is very important that this is covered. This evidence could be in the form of previous work from you, your collaborators, or others working within your field of interest, showing past successes and therefore proving that your ideas are strong and should be taken further. You could also highlight some statistics and/or refer to some historical and societal context which would support your cause. Another angle to take would be to highlight that not only will the project benefit audiences, but that it is an essential move to make with regards to your own personal artistic development.
Itemise your budget meticulously!
The more specific the better. It shows that every element of your project has been well thought-through and that you are clear on exactly what you need to make it happen. Be realistic, too. It comes across as naïve if you ask for extravagant amounts, or conversely, if you ask for very little, the funder may question whether you’ve fully considered every single potential cost for your creative project. Lastly, meet the deadline in good time, obviously. Last minute applications will more often than not come across as messy, rushed and under-researched. Good luck! P.S. My next commission for the London Oriana Choir and the Meridian Sinfonia, Picture Frame, will be premiered at St. Giles Cripplegate, London, next Friday 13th March 2020.
Hope to see you there if you can make it!
Written by Anna Disley-Simpson