It's a question we hear almost every day: "How can I really get an artist grant?"

In a career path that can sometimes be financially unpredictable, grants can supplement your income as an creative person—helping to pay for materials, studio infinite, or fifty-fifty rent. With a little legwork searching for the right grant opportunity and due diligence on your application, you can secure a grant and focus on your work without the day-to-day pressure of paying bills.

But, what happens when you utilize time after time and you don't get the results (and funding) yous desire? It's like shooting fish in a barrel to feel frustrated and confused, specially when y'all feel like yous were a good fit for the opportunity.

Which brings us back to this frequently asked question among artists, "Is there whatever mode to get an inside scoop? How tin I get a leg up on my application?"

While in that location is no quick set up for securing an artist grant, at that place are a few ways to brand sure you are putting your best foot forward!

In this two-role series, we are taking a deep-dive into the process of applying for artist grants. First, nosotros got answers from artists who've been there and succeeded, and now from the grant-giving institutions themselves!

If y'all want to increase your odds of getting that coveted artist grant, accept a look at what three grant-giving organizations revealed well-nigh the process:

The beginning matter to recollect? Every grant opportunity is dissimilar.

That means every application is different, and so is every jurying process.

Some focus solely on the images artists provide of their work, others take materials like creative person statements and CV'southward into account, and some award artists based on merit or fiscal demand lonely.

"We select about entirely on artwork images," explains the Managing director of ArtistGrant.org, Dennis James. "It doesn't matter to us if an artist has a great deal of training or is self-taught. People get artists in a diverseness of ways and for a variety of reasons—all valid."

The New York Foundation for the Arts Grants Program, yet, operates somewhat similarly. "Only the applicant's work samples and corresponding descriptions are reviewed in the first circular, so the piece of work samples need to be strong in order to carry an awarding into the side by side round," clarifies Hannah Berry, Programme Associate, and Gabriella Calandro, Senior Program Officeholder at NYFA Grants.

"The panel has admission to read the bidder'due south support statements, including the work argument (i.eastward. artist statement), in subsequent rounds. The support statements help to shed more light on the work samples submitted, and allow the panel to get a better understanding of an creative person'due south practice."

And fifty-fifty so, sometimes a juror makes a call on which materials to consider.

In the case of the Artadia awards, Executive Director Carolyn Ramo explains, "Images thing a tremendous amount. CV matters very little—every bit we give merit-based awards, there is well-nigh no consideration of exhibition history. A statement is considered mostly during the last conversation, if at all, which is why we inquire that it exist brief. Each juror is different though and some do read the statements carefully."

Just similar a college application, job interview, and so on, the all-time thing you tin can do is observe out as much as you can nearly the procedure and tailor your application to fit that specific opportunity. Art marketing doesn't end at selling your work, you lot have to sell yourself, too.

"Practise the inquiry! Make sure the funding you're applying for is the right fit, and expect for grants and awards that support practices or projects similar to your own," asserts the NYFA staff.

So, how do you know what each institution is looking for?

Grant organizations aren't as mysterious equally y'all might remember.

Why? Because jurors don't desire to spend time looking through applications that don't fit the requirements for the award!

And, all of the institutions we spoke with agreed on this front.

"I do believe that most grantmakers are adequately transparent," expresses Artadia's Ramo. "Artists are welcome to ask us questions, though nosotros found 100% of questions are answered in our all-encompassing description of the application."

James echoes this sentiment: "A quality establishment notes if they receive many questions on a particular topic and will provide the reply through website and application criteria updates."

NYFA provides data on their selection principles and console processes on their website's FAQ page and Fellowships main page, as well as through electronic mail correspondence. They even take created online content on NYFA's weblog that highlights application tips to help artists in preparing their submissions.

"We believe in the importance of being accessible to our applicants and providing the information they need to create strong applications," stress Berry and Calandro.

While information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel for artists to utilize elusiveness equally an alibi to ease the pain of rejection, artists accept take responsibility and put the work into what you are applying for. Because in the end, it volition but increase your odds of securing the laurels.

And while you should feel comfortable reaching out with questions similar these three organizations advise, make certain the answers y'all are looking for aren't already right in front end of you—whether on a FAQ folio or in the clues of past winners.

"To provide more information about our selection procedure, Artist Grant is request shortlisted artists permission to mail service images of their work and website links on our social media pages," says James. We already post images and links of the winning artists. Nosotros hope the curt listing provides insight into the wide range of creative efforts we consider."

This is one of the tips that grant recipients proposed besides!

Only submit what is required—and null more!

With but one shot to practice so, artists are eager to print in their applications. And while sending extra materials might lead you lot to believe you are getting an edge upwards on the competition, grant givers really disagree.

"Artists should carefully read the application instructions and submit all requested materials in the required format. Not following guidelines (such equally how to name your digital files) gives an establishment a legitimate reason for disqualifying a submission," admits James.

"Do non ship unasked for materials. The committee is trying to be equitable in viewing nevertheless type of materials from each candidate and will not consider the actress materials."

Instead, spend your fourth dimension and efforts double checking and perfecting what is asked for!

"You might be surprised how many artists send the states links to parked web pages (i.e. URLs non attached to active websites), or piece of work from disciplines we don't review. We only view submissions with all requested materials," he stresses.

Here's a slap-up tip from NYFA:

"Do reach out to your friends, fellow artists, and arts professionals to review your application and discuss your work. Having a 2nd gear up of eyes always helps, and tin can often clue you into what may be missing in your application."

Images are your foot in the door.

Another point made extremely clear past these grant givers? No matter the opportunity and the materials they consider, y'all MUST have outstanding images of your artwork.

It can't be avoided—the fine art is what this whole grant thing is nigh, right?

"Nosotros recognize that artists are likely all-time able to communicate their piece of work visually, so we do consider images as the nearly important part of the application," says Ramo. And though viewing times vary, yous may not take all that much time to impress the jurors.

"On boilerplate," the Artadia managing director explains, "each awarding is reviewed for almost 30-45 seconds depending on the total applications submitted."

In the case of NYFA, epitome work samples are reviewed one-by-one, in quick succession. Even so, the moderator will stop on the 1st and sixth images to read aloud image descriptions (i.e. title, appointment, medium, etc.), averaging fifteen-20 seconds of viewing time for the 1st and 6th images.

That being said, yous don't e'er know which images volition be reviewed and for how long. And, the only way to combat that is past absolutely making sure all of the images yous submit are upwards to par. As with any portfolio, you are but equally proficient equally the worst paradigm. Only submit what yous consider your best works—piece of work that will help y'all send the message that you are outstanding in your field.

ArtistGrant.org's suggestion? Check off these iv criteria: in focus, non keystoned, no distracting background details, and well lit.

"An artist need not take admission to expensive equipment. A prison cell phone camera and natural sunlight can piece of work well," recommends James. "And consider installation and/or item shots if a singular frontal view doesn't capture the viewing feel."

Now, let'southward talk about the jurying procedure!

These are the questions nosotros hear nigh oft from artists curious almost the selection process:

Are there any pre-stated criteria or a rubric which the jury works from? Or does the institution rely exclusively on the juror's personality and gustation?

If there are pre-stated criteria, how well are the jurors coached by the institution in regards to their criteria and core values earlier they start judging the applicants?

And the answer is… Jurors know what they are doing!

Not only are they selected based on their experience both every bit jurors and artists in their field, but the best organizations will strive for diverseness and fairness in their panel of judges.

Ramo touches on all of these points in the Artadia award process:

"We have three jurors and a rotating group of jurors in order to account for each person's preferences and gustation. And at that place has to be some sort of consensus for an artist to move forward," she says. "We speak with each juror before they kickoff the process and explain what merit ways to us. Nigh jurors are well-versed in a jurying process, however, we do circulate our criteria."

The staff at NYFA agrees: "We maintain that the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship be peer-reviewed, and that panelists be practicing artists experienced in the disciplines they are reviewing."

"NYFA makes every attempt to gather diverse panels, considering genre, gender identity, ethnicity, cultural background, geographic location, etc," assert Berry and Calandro. "Panelists are given extensive information discussing our code of ideals, our firm stance on conflicts of interest and biases, our dedication to supporting artists of all backgrounds, and our connected interest in working towards inclusivity and accessibility for all applicants. "

And as far as rubrics go, James wants artists to residuum assured that they aren't as big of a deal every bit they may seem.

"People honey and hate rubrics. Rubrics are helpful because they analyze criteria. Withal, they may stifle inventiveness, or an artist may self-select themselves out of applying if they don't believe their work meets a benchmark (when information technology actually does). While a rubric may help a selection committee be more objective in whittling down the awarding pool, the committee must still decide amid the remaining artists."

Another tip? Submit your application ASAP.

"To all artists everywhere… delight practise non await until the final hour to submit the application!" urges Ramo.

"Most grantmakers, including united states of america, will not extend the borderline for those that miss it. Our application is unproblematic and if you can, submit it within the first week of the announcement."

And, Artadia is not the but organization who feel this way! This was 1 of the biggest "don'ts" that organizations warned of.

"Don't expect until the day of the application deadline to submit your awarding!" says NYFA's Berry and Calandro, for this reason, you might not have considered. "Fellowships staff is available v days a week to reply whatever questions you may have in regards to the application process. If you run across problems at the last minute, we may not exist able to help.

"But," they add, "even if you apply the day before, we will assist in every way we can."

With deadlines being notoriously hard to continue rails of alongside the million things going on in your art business, the best affair to practise is discover a system to stay organized. And, an art inventory management system like Artwork Archive is an extremely easy tool to use, fabricated specifically for artists.

Not only tin can you lot continue track of application dates, just you can manage your entire portfolio, high-resolution images, important piece details, documents you'll demand to apply, and more. Yous can even schedule reminders to be sent direct to your inbox when it's time to apply.

No more letting application deadlines pass you by! You're an organized artist on a mission.

Don't e'er give up on applying.

Information technology'southward what successful grant recipients stressed besides!

You can't take the rejection personally explains James: "What guides the final decision may differ in every competition, depending on the shortlisted artists and committee composition."

Call it luck. Call it a numbers game. Just, just considering you aren't selected for i opportunity doesn't mean y'all aren't deserving. Decisions volition always depend on the electric current cycle of competition and jurors, and you never know when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together.

"Practice continue to apply!" expresses the NYFA staff. "The best way to up your chances of receiving a grant, fellowship, or funding is to strop your practice of applying."

And, you know what they say: practise makes perfect! Go along researching opportunities, learn what other artists did to land their grants, perfect your images and statements, and ever, always apply again.

"Utilise for equally many competitions as possible—you're more likely to be selected and any rejections sting less," agrees James.

Are you ready when the right grant opportunity pops upwardly? Start a gratuitous trial of Artwork Archive today.