Phoebe Boswell is one of the first-round winners of our £30k fund, Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund. Having been through the application and judging process, she shares her advice with members applying for round two...
Don’t try to second guess what you think [the judges] want to hear – only you know how vital your project is, and your own commitment and belief in that is what will make it, and you, stand out.
The Sky Arts and IdeasTap teams are really determined to understand you as a human being, if that makes sense, and to help you achieve what is right for you. My project, for instance, is very personal, and when I first wrote the application, I was certain it was too personal for anyone to think worthy of such a large amount of cash and support. But it was entirely important for me, in this moment in my career and in my life, to try to make this project happen.
Saying that, the question in the application about what it would add to the UK’s cultural scene is extremely important to Sky Arts, and so worth spending a considerable amount of time on. Think why you are so fascinated by your project and try to glean from that the core that makes it universal.
Be realistic of where you are in your trajectory as an artist and don’t try to take on subject matter or techniques that are too much of a stretch, but do take risks. Really consider where you are now and where you want to be with your work in a year’s time, or five years’ time, or ten years’ time, and make sure that your project marks a profound step towards that, not just a one-off opportunity for funding.
Most of all, be brave. I found it quite difficult to write my proposal, because I really had to question who I was, where I was in my trajectory as an artist, and where I needed to be. On a more practical note, get your submission in before the deadline – don’t leave it to the last minute!
Get someone (or a few people) to read over it before you submit it. Really pay attention to the 100-word summary and see if what you’ve written excites other people – at the start of the process, that’s the most important part of your application. And make sure you have a solid portfolio uploaded and that the work in it is relevant to the project you’re proposing. For example, if you are proposing a theatre project, put examples of your work that illustrates your experience in that, rather than only putting in what you think is your “best” work.
Technically, try to show exactly what it is you want them to see. For example, if you want to show documentation of a theatre show, try to show film footage, rather than stills. The more direct you can be with it, the better. The judges have to go through hundreds of portfolios at the initial stage, so if they are having to try and guess why you are showing them what you are showing, or if they have to fill in any blanks, chances are they will only skim the surface and move on. It goes without saying that you should upload everything at the best quality possible. If images are pixelated, chances are they will be ignored.
Finally, do it! There’s a tendency to psych oneself out of applying (especially to such a huge award) but don’t. You’ll get a lot from the process of applying, and, if you’re passionate about what you do, chances are you might get shortlisted! And if you don’t, you’ll still have learned masses about yourself as an artist.
Read the judges’ top tips.
Apply for the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund to win £30,000 of arts funding. In this round, we’re giving away three lots of funding. The deadline is 24 February – one month from today.