WELCOME!

Miguel Guillen
Program Manager
Artist Trust
miguel@artisttrust.org
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Members!!!
 Presentation Overview
Artist Trust Overview
Preparing an Effective Application
- Preparing
- Basics
- Cuerate overview
- Questions
Artist Trust Overview
 History
Artist Trust, was founded in 1986 by a group of artists and artist supporters who
wanted to form a support network for individual artists of all disciplines in
Washington State.

Mission Statement:
Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to support and
encourage individual artists working in all disciplines in order to enrich community
life throughout Washington State.

To accomplish its mission, Artist Trust raises funds from an array of sources
(members, donors, grants, auction, etc) in order to:
Give financial grants, through a peer review process, to individual artists working
in the visual, performing, media, literary, and interdisciplinary arts;
Serve as a professional information resource for artists and encourages artists to
support each other; and,
Provide recognition and support for the contributions artists make to the lives of
people of Washington State and for the merit and integrity of artists' work.
 PROFESSIONAL
RESOURCES

PUBLICATIONS

Art Source - The Artist Trust newsletter, published three times each
year, providing information about and for Washington State artists.

Artists’ Assets - provides a comprehensive professional resource

guide to healthcare and emergency assistance programs, employment
and business development resources, and much more.
No longer printing, but…

www.scribd.com search artisttrust

 FINANCIAL GRANTS

GRANTS

GAP (Grants for Artist Projects) Program

Annual project grants up to $1,500 open to artists of all disciplines.

Artist Trust Fellowship Program

Bi-annual, discipline specific merit-based grants of $7,500.
Emerging & Cross-Disciplinary Arts, Performing Arts, Traditional & Folk
Arts, and Visual Arts are awarded in odd numbered years (2011).
Craft, Music, Media, and Literature are awarded in even numbered years (2012).

Twining Humber Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement

$10,000 award given annually to a Washington State woman visual artist, age 60
or over, who has dedicated 25 or more years of her life to creating art.

Arts Innovator Award

The Arts Innovator Award is a $25,000 grant given to two artists of all disciplines
who are breaking new ground and demonstrating innovation in their art practices.
 INFORMATION SERVICES

SERVICES

www.artisttrust.org - Comprehensive website that offers additional resources

including employment opportunities, studio space and housing listings,
opportunities (latebreaking), workshops and events, professional development
information, and health care. Includes a searchable database.

(re)Source – Artist Trust’s biweekly email newsletter, which keeps you informed
of new additions to our website and other timely events and opportunities.

Resource Room, located at Artist Trust, is a walk-in artist resource center full of
professional development books and periodicals, a computer, internet access
and printer, and much more. Open Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm.

Professional Staff is available to answer your questions via telephone, email, or

in-person at our office.
 PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

Social Networking:
Facebook
www.facebook.com/ArtistTrust

I Am an Artist Blog:
www.artisttrust.blogspot.com
Twitter
Search: artisttrust
 PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

EDGE

A Professional Development Training Program for Artists

• Consists of 50 hours of training

• Hands-on, interactive curriculum

• Comprehensive survey of professional practices including:

• Business Concerns;
• Professional Portfolio development;
• Communication & Marketing;
• and much more!

• $400 base fee. Financial assistance available. Film/Literary/Visual

www.artisttrust.org
 ADDITIONAL
PROJECTS

Workshops and presentations are offered throughout the

year in communities across the state on topics such as:
grant writing and resources and full weekend workshops
called “I AM AN ARTIST” for advancing art careers.

WAHIP (Washington Artists Health Insurance Project) –

An ambitious effort to forge new strategies to improve artists’
access to health insurance in Washington State.
What is a grant?
Money given by organizations for specific
purposes.

- Private (nonprofits, foundations, etc)

- Public (government)
What types of grants are there?

- Nomination only

- Open Application
What do these two words mean?

- Unrestricted

- Restricted
Application Basics
PREPARING
 Preparing

Getting Help Using / Getting Access to

Computer / Internet

•Public Libraries
•Community Centers
•Community Colleges or Universities
•Organizations (adult education programs)
 Preparing

Work Documentation

- Quality images / work samples

- Maintain two inventories!

- Save your software!

- Images: JPEG
- Audio: MP3
- Video: MPEG, MOV, QT, FLV
- Documents: .DOC, RTF, PDF

Look for free software downloads

 Preparing

Writing, writing and writing

- Articulate your work/process

- Look at examples
- Take a writing class
- Write somewhat objectively - with some detachment
- Have friends and/or non-artists read your writings
- Barter/Collaborate

www.gyst-ink.com - visual
 Basics

Common Components of an
Application

Essentially the same as

creating a portfolio
 Basics
•Application Form = Your info
•Artist Statement
•Resume
•Bio
•Work Sample
•Work Sample description
•Letter of Interest/Inquiry
•Project Proposal
•Project Description
•Budget
 Basics

Artist Statement

PDF and Word

 Basics

Artist Statement Essentials

An artist statement is an introductory text that provides

a contextual background for your artwork.

http://artisttrust.org/index.php/for-artists/resource/artist_statement_essentials
 Basics
Artist Statement Essentials – Do’s
• Tone should be expressive of your work: it could
be reserved, theoretical, academic, analytic,
humorous, antagonistic, or political as long as
it’s succinct and provides an accurate reflection
of your work.
• Relate to the work (for most applications)
• Be simple, concise, clear, and direct.
• Spell check!
• Refer to yourself in the first person.
• Paragraph to a page.
 Basics

Artist Statement Essentials – Don’ts

• use “artspeak” and convoluted language.
• attempt to impress anyone with statements that do not
ring true with the work.
• describe what is visible.
• talk about yourself (unless the work is about you).
• tell the reader how they will feel.

My work is about elucidating the patriarchal configuration of

the social arrangement
or
My work is about male-dominated societies
 Basics

Artist Statement Essentials

Things to think about:

• Themes
• Motives
• Sources or influences
• Similarities
• Where do you fit in
 Basics

Artist Statement Essentials

• More than one version

• Develop a consistent language
• Keep it up to date
 Basics

Artist Résumé

PDF and Word

 Basics

Primary Sections:
• Personal Info
• Education
• Employment (if relevant)
• Awards and Grants
• Exhibitions/Performances/Screenings
• Bibliography/Collections/Discography
 Basics

OTHER SECTIONS YOU MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Split exhibitions into Solo and Group Exhibitions
• Commissions
• Installations
• Lectures, Presentations, Readings
• Juries
• Collaborations
• Curating Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Organization Affiliations
• Related Professional Experience (sat on a jury/panel, etc.)
 Basics

Artist Bio

PDF and Word

 Basics

• It’s a biography not an autobiography-(third person)

• Develop a long and a short version

• Keep it succinct, interesting and informative

• Keep it professional

• Keep it updated
 Basics
A Suggested Format (for long version):

• Paragraph one: introduction

Mary Artist was born on Bainbridge Island…
• Paragraph two: what are you doing
Currently Mary is exploring color…
• Paragraph three: the bigger picture
Mary’s work seeks to examine…
• Paragraph four: summarize paragraph two/close
Mary’s current work which explores…
 Basics
Additional information:

•A narrative bio is useful if you are an emerging artist

and don’t have a great deal to include on a resume.

•It’s also useful if your work corresponds directly to

your biography.

•You can use this as a vehicle for discussing this

relationship instead of your artist statement if an
artist statement is not requested.
 Basics

Work Sample
 Basics

WORK SAMPLE

• High quality documentation of your work.

• Choose your strongest work.
• Submit as many images or samples as allowed.
• Work sample submission types

WORK SAMPLE DESCRIPTION PAGE

• Usually one page.

• Include your role if there were many contributors.
• Include brief annotations if necessary. (visual images)
• Include a synopsis. (literary)
 Basics
WORK SAMPLE SELECTION

• Find out how your work will be reviewed

• Cohesive
• Neutral backdrop (for images)
• Cue your work
• Avoid “promotional” style videos
• Provide interesting excerpts / Use neutral
backgrounds
• Submit only YOUR work
 Basics

Artist Trust Accepts four formats for work samples.

• Images (JPG)
• Audio files (MP3)
• Video files (FLV)
• Documents (Word –DocX?, PDF)
Molly Epstein
Julia Sober
John Grade
◄Possibly add more text here
Molly Epstein
2009 Artist Trust GAP Recipient
Image List
01. Vertebrae, SLS Glass Filled Nylon, 11”x4”x9, 2002
Photo: artist
02. Mind Over Matter: Forearm Stretch, silk, abs & ppsf plastics, titanium, 13”x6”x”6”, 2006
Photo: artist
03. Pulse Clip 1, sterling silver, stainless steel springs, 1”x1”x .75”, 2007
Photo: artist
04. Pulse Clip 2, sterling silver, stainless steel springs, 1.25”x1”x .75”, 2007
Photo: artist
05. Homeostasis, stainless steel, silicone, 5.5”x5.5”x7”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
06. Homeostasis (detail), stainless steel, silicone, 5.5”x5.5”x7”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
07. Manifestation, stainless steel, silicone 18”x 5”x 7”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
08. Manifestation (detail), stainless steel, silicone 18”x 5”x 7”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
09. Presence: Amuar’s Breath, aluminum, silicone, LEDs, air, 12”x12”x12”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
DESCRIPTION: This is an interactive piece embedded in the wall. LEDs flicker inside the orifice,
attracting attention. When it senses someone is in its presence, the flicker changes pace to a slowly
pulsing light and "breathes" air which is felt by the viewer in close proximity.
10. Heartbeat Device 1, stainless steel, silicone, heartbeat monitor, 13”x9”x6”, 2008
Photo: Doug Yaple
DESCRIPTION: When one places their fingertip on the stainless steel button their heartbeat is detected.
A mechanism below the silicone surface provides tactile feedback of their heartbeat which is felt in
the palm.
 Basics

Review the Application

 Basics

• Read all guidelines and instructions

carefully before you begin
• Are you a good match?
• Follow all the directions
• Call/Contact the funding organization
• Make a checklist
• Plenty of time!
• Proof read everything
• Ask a friend to proof read
 Basics

• Upload or send ONLY what is asked for.

• Upload or send EVERYTHING that is asked for.

• Review and understand the selection criteria.

 Basics

SELECTION CRITERIA (for Grants for Artist Projects)

The foremost criterion the Selection Panel uses to evaluate a

GAP application is the artistic excellence of the work
represented in the work sample. The second criterion is the
Selection Panel's subjective response to the applicant's
project in comparison to other projects submitted. The final
criterion is the reasonable likelihood that the project can be
realized with GAP support based on the applicant's
budget and other sources of support and résumé. Project
completion does not need to be solely dependent on Artist
Trust funds.
 Basics

Letter of Interest/Inquiry
 Basics

LETTER OF INTEREST/INQUIRY
• Initial contact.

• Shorter than a full proposal, so not to waste your time and theirs, if
the two of you are not a match.

• Usually 1-2 pages in length.

• Introduce yourself and your work

• brief project description
• brief budget overview
• Summarize and close
COVER LETTER
•Should be brief and to the point.

•Don’t repeat much of the same information that the reader will learn
in your resume, artist statement, work samples, or other things
submitted in your packet.

•The cover letter is speaking for you the artist.

 Basics

Project Proposal
 Basics

Categories
 Basics

Organizations may ask artists to categorize

themselves. This has to do with facilitating the
award process not trying to dictate an order to
the art world.
Organizations understand that as artists and art
evolve; that the lines between disciplines
dissolve.
Don’t be offended by this request.
 Basics

Budget
 Basics
Project Income and Expenses: THE BUDGET
•The financial description of your proposed project.

•A complete and realistic budget demonstrates to the selection panel or jury

that you have considered the financial as well as the creative aspects of your
project.

•The purpose of the project budget is to determine the feasibility of completing

your project.

•The projected income MUST EQUAL the projected expenses.

• You do not always have to fill out every blank – check with the organization
 Basics

Your Time/ Fee

Monthly Overhead (rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, fees,
materials, supplies, professional development)
/
Hours Worked
+
Reasonable profit margin (10-15%)

OR

Substitute your current pay

OR

Ask a peer or mentor

 Basics

Rejection 

Part of being a professional artist is learning to handle rejection.

• Accept that your work is not appropriate for every

opportunity

• Learn from it

• Keep on trying

If you don’t have a stack of rejection letters,

then you’re not trying hard enough!
 Basics

Artist Trust requires you to complete an

application for:
• EDGE (download)
• GAP (online)
• Fellowship (online)
• Arts Innovator Award (nominee, download)
• Twining Humber Award (nominator, download)
 GAP

Grants for Artist Projects (GAP)

www.artisttrust.org
http://artisttrust.cuerate.org
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QUESTIONS?