This month (July 2023) there are two opportunities for people to apply for funding to support their creative practice development – the Arts Council’s Developing Your Creative Practice fund and a-n’s Artists Bursaries.
Maybe you’ve applied before, or maybe you’re considering putting in an application for the first time. Either way, have you considered including regular mentoring as part of your project proposal?
Mentoring can be an excellent way to make the most of your self-directed development programme, offering you tailored 1:1 support that will help you stay focused, but also allow space and time to reflect on the work you’re doing in real time. It can be invaluable, especially if you are intending to push your practice in new directions or take on something really challenging.
In recent months the majority of my 1:1 clients have had some sort of funding to work with me, and I really enjoy this kind of work. For most of them the relationship started well before the funding was awarded – either they contacted me for a session to discuss their plans, or we worked together on crafting their application – and this can be a real plus when it comes to then getting on with the work once the money has been awarded.
In my next two blog posts I’m going to be talking more about this process and what you could expect if we worked together in this way. In the meantime, here are some testimonials from mentoring clients I’ve worked with recently, which hopefully give you a flavour of the work we could do together:
“I was delighted to receive an a-n bursary in 2020, which supported me to gain mentoring from Melody at a stage in my career when I was in need of guidance to help me gain momentum, test new potential directions, shift my create practice and achieve my goals. Her experience and expertise in writing applications was a key factor in my success in joining the Freelands Artist Programme in 2021 and the subsequent development of my practice into sculpture that Site Gallery’s Platform 21 residency supported.
Working with Melody 1:1 was really great, as I find I’m most comfortable working this way, rather than workshopping in group settings. Her thoughtful approach is considered and reflective, with her friendliness and approachability clearly shining through during every interaction, whether in person or online. I’ve recommended her mentoring to many others who have also really benefitted and gained success from having worked with her. Melody’s voice, sensitivity and positive approach stays with me and I come back to her annual review guidance religiously, always enjoying her e-news to hear her recommendations and to share in her experiences. Her continued support helps me feel part of a highly valued creative community, for which I’m so grateful – thank you Melody!”
– Rachael Colley, interdisciplinary artist
“I approached this process with a sense that I wanted to gain more clarity about my practice, but had no specifics in mind. By listening carefully to how I spoke about myself and the work Melody was able to mirror back things that were just beyond what I was able to connect for myself. The act of articulating my work in this setting changed how I observe myself, and in taking a different approach, has enabled me to make new conceptual connections and break out of habitual patterns of both thought and making.”
– Sharon Adams, visual artist (whose a-n Bursary enabled her to work with me)
If you feel like mentoring might be useful for you (whether for a funding application or just for your day-to-day practice) do get in touch to find out more.
Arts Council Developing Your Creative Practice fund – round 18
Opens: 11th July
Deadline: 10th August 12noon
Apply for between £2000-£12000
a-n Artists Bursaries
Opens: 30th June
Deadline: 27th July 12noon
Apply for between £500-£1500
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