Grant Resources

Grant writing tips

Grants are cash support given for arts projects, programs, and organizations by government agencies, foundations, corporations, individuals, and private arts organizations. You most often need to fill out an application and submit it to the grant-making organization for consideration. If you are looking for funding for a particular art project or organization, here are a few tips and resources to help guide you.

Basic tips:

• Think about your project or organization in the future. Start with the end in mind. Look at your project or organization's big picture. Who are you? What are your strengths and priorities?
• Create a plan, not just a proposal.
• Do your homework. Research prospective funders. Search locally first. Target funding sources that have an interest in your organization, program, or project.
• Make sure the priorities of the foundation, corporation, or government agency you're applying to are the best match for your work or organization. Go to their website. See who they've funded in the past. Review their eligibility requirements. Make sure you or your organization fits who they fund.
• Quality writing counts. A clear, concise, well-written proposal makes a difference. If you don't have much experience writing grants or don't feel confident in your writing skills, find someone who does to review your grant before you submit it. Always proof your application.
• Get help if you need it. Take a grant-writing workshop.
• Get face-to-face time. Meet with the program officer for the grant you are applying to. Many funders have staff available to help answer questions or review draft proposals. Making a personal connection with funders before submitting an application can be invaluable in putting together the strongest application possible.

Tips for Individual Artists

• Have a well-written artist statement (a half-page version, a one-page version, and a two-page version). Do not overuse "art speak" terms/language. Write for an audience who has never interacted with/seen your work. Keep it simple, clear, and straightforward. The committee reviewing your proposal needs to understand the proposal the first time they read it.
• Have good documentation/support materials of your work. Photographs and video documentation need to be done well. Save articles and reviews of your work. Project your images to make sure they project well. Check the viewing order of the visual support materials you are submitting carefully. Make sure the order makes visual sense to viewers. For example, if you are submitting a diptych, submit an image of the entire diptych first, followed by the details of the piece.
• Have two copies of the grant guidelines/form on hand (or make copies). Use one of the forms as your working document. Follow the directions/guidelines closely.
• Start the grant well ahead of the deadline and have someone proofread your proposal.
• Do not send extra materials that aren't asked for.
• Do not make lots of calls to the organization about the grant. Be organized with all your questions. They should be asked in one or two phone calls.
• For the budget, factor in your labor time as well as the cost of your materials. Make a list of things you'll need and their price. When you look for in-kind donations you will have a better idea of what you need.
• Organize a group of artists to research grant opportunities. It will take you much less time to research grants with more people looking and you can proofread each other's grant proposals.

Additional resources for grant writing tips and information are:

Artist Trust
Puget Sound Grantwriters Association
Non-Profit Guides

You are the best person to reach your networks and all the people who are most interested in your work. We've seen the best results when artists promote themselves and their events on their own channels, e.g. your own social accounts, email lists, networking, and word of mouth.

Social Media

1. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Also, be sure you’re signed up for our email newsletter.
2. Post about your event and tag us. We'll get notified and can boost as our capacity allows. 
3. The sooner you tell your project manager about your event, the more likely we’ll be able to fit it into our editorial calendar. 
4. If you have promo materials, please remember to send anything you've produced (flyers, posters, promo graphics, etc.) to your project manager. These items should all include the Office of Arts & Culture name and/or logo. 

We recommend posting on social and circulating these items at least two weeks prior to your event to increase awareness and attendance.

Press Releases and Press Kits

Press releases inform the media about you and your event and can inspire them to publish a calendar listing or even cover the event. Many smaller publications will print releases verbatim if they are written well enough. 

Press kits provide useful background information for the media when they write previews or reviews of your event. They can take awhile to assemble, so maybe only create them for larger events that media are confirmed to attend.

Search the internet for a description and walkthough of how to write a press release and create a press kit.

More Resources

4Culture
4Culture works to enhance the quality of life in King County by providing residents and visitors with a broad range of programs and services in the arts, heritage, historic preservation and public art. Find current funding opportunities for artists and organizations.

Artist Trust
Artist Trust provides grants, resources and career training to musicians, visual artists, writers, dancers, craft artists, filmmakers, cross-disciplinary artists and more. The organization also provides free resources for artists, including a wealth of services, artist opportunities, calls for artists, funding sources and much more.

Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC)
WSAC is charged with the growth and development of the arts throughout Washington state offers grants for artists and performers, organizations and schools.

Western State Arts Federation (WESTAF)
WESTAF offers grants and fellowships for artists and arts organizations.

Humanities Washington
Humanities Washington supports non-profit organizations, agencies and groups that produce programs and projects related to the humanities.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. NEH grants typically go to cultural institutions, such as museums, archives, libraries, colleges, universities, public television, and radio stations, and to individual scholars.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
The NEA offers grants to individuals and non-profit organizations to advance artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA funds the visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, folk and traditional arts, museums, arts education and arts agencies.