FINE ART: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & ENTERPRISE Presented by Mark Parkin FINE ART: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & ENTERPRISE

Aims; Aims; to address all the related elements that underpin Fine Arts practice & enterprise such as writing grant & project proposals; to explore the relationship forming art groups and creating independent initiatives.

Objectives To understand the basic fundamentals in writing exhibition/commission and project proposals in terms of content, structure & presentation The methodology to liaising with other artists through memberships with art groups, societies & art councils or foundations

APPLYING FOR: COMMISSIONS/GRANTS/EXHIBITIONS

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Most artists are ambivalent about preparing proposals but it is an essential skill because most funding requires a formal proposal. To secure funding whether it be a commission, residency or other source you need to prepare an outline of what you want to do in order to open communication with the funder.

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions The three most common mistakes: -Poor research -A “one size fits” all approach -Failure to view the process from the funders perspective

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Defining the project: Who-What-Where & When? -What is the purpose of the project? -What are the main objectives? -Who will benefit? (general public, local community, Education-other artists) -What is the time frame? -What to hope to achieve and how will you achieve it?

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Funding organisations such as trusts or art councils usually have specific guidelines and criteria to which they must adhere to. Key questions: Can your art practice or idea live comfortably in conjunction with the intentions of the commissioner? Is the funding suitable for the project? Is there any flexibility in the funding strategy?

A commissioned work such as this requires;Organisation-Logistics-substantial funding -manpower Robert Morris 2013- Glass Labyrinth at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park, Kansas City, Missouri

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Research: First research into their website and guidelines Do they have a manifesto or mandate? (national arts plan “Partnership for the Arts”) What types of funding are you eligible for? (Criteria) Is the type of funding suitable or compatible with your project?

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Research: Examine in detail the terms & conditions of funding-legalities What organisations or artists have they funded in the past? Ask artists who have been successful in obtaining funding what their experiences were with the organisation or commissioner.

Written proposals -Structure The idea Curriculum Vitae Artists Statement Aims Rationale Objectives Context Ethics Budget Visual Information Research: Primary & Secondary Action Plan Risk Assessment-Health & Safety

Applying for Commissions/Grants/Exhibitions Preparing a proposal-guidelines The idea -is it creative & challenging? -try to distinguish yourself Curriculum Vitae -try to make interesting & engaging & include your experience Artists Statement -a description of your materials, processes & methodologies -make it interesting and readable from the commissioner’s perspective

Written proposals -Structure Aims: Specify what you intend to engage in overall Rationale: Be clear & concise on why you are interested in this aim Objectives: -specify what you want to achieve & how you wish to achieve it -the tasks you wish to undertake

Written proposals -Structure Context: How will the project establish a context with your professional practice & aid in its development?

Written proposals -Structure Ethics: Is there any ethical or legislative considerations you need to plan for? -gallery or exhibition contract -copyright, data protection -terms & conditions of funding -sponsorship logos etc.

Written proposals -Structure Budget Design a detailed spreadsheet covering all costs Indicate the prospective income & expenditure Include that the costs are fixed for a period of time due to the effects of inflation–fuel for example.

Written proposals -Structure Visual Information -make sure the images are of good quality, well presented & relevant to the application -images can be a DVD, video, jpegs, or 35 mm slides.

Written proposals -Structure Research: Primary-the source material you wish to investigate; influences, ideas, sketches, collage, photography-sketchbook (research folio) Secondary-publications, photography, video that express & interpret similar themes to support your investigation & development. Action Plan: Explain how you are going to realise your aims & objectives in a planned strategy. Timeframe: how long is going to take? Risk Assessment-Health & Safety Risk assessments have to be made in advance of exhibition installation and before public access.

Creating Art Groups & independent initiatives Surrealist Group and André Breton, Paris, 1959

Creating Art Groups & independent initiatives The main benefit of forming your own group is you can attract other artists with similar interests and needs. To attract other artists, you can create a website with on-line forums, or social media networks. Alternatively, you can distribute flyers at local colleges, neighbourhood coffee shops, anywhere Artists may congregate.

Creating Art Groups & independent initiatives You should consider setting up some preliminary guidelines for your group. This will ensure you create a group that will meet your needs, make sure the group’s focus is aligned with your own. You’ll want individuals who are interested in pursuing the same goals. (manifesto) Decide what these goals will be and place this information in your ad to recruit membership.

Creating art groups & Independent Initiatives Considerations: How large of a membership? Often a small group of like-minded artists working in the same medium will work better than a large group with varied interests. Will you have membership fees? If so how will the fees be utilized? What type of Artists will make up the group? …Professional, amateur, or Sunday painters.

Creating art groups & Independent Initiatives What activities will the group sponsor? Will you have a non-profit status & officers? Will the group have a meeting place or will you meet in each others home informally?

Creating art groups & Independent Initiatives Advertising your work in art publications and networking via the internet, website, social media, blogs & on-line videos Entering local & national open art competitions such as; BP Portrait Award, Turner Prize, Royal Academy summer show etc. Applying for commissions & funding from organisations; Arts Council Wales, trusts such as Eaton Fund, Southdown Trust, McKenna Trust etc.

Independent Initiatives Writing proposals to Galleries Applying for artist residencies or placements-schools, colleges & universities Liaising with other artists through memberships with art groups, societies & art councils or foundations

FINE ART: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & ENTERPRISE Summary: We have examined how to raise the artists profile and initiative through the prescribed method writing grant & project proposals and applying for commissions. Explored the implementation of practical enterprise, forming art groups and creating independent initiatives. Finally, we have looked upon engaging and networking with external agencies and partners along with making arts practice accessible.

End of Presentation “A LAZY ARTIST NEVER CREATES A MASTERPIECE”