This post was originally written almost 6 years ago when I received my first Leeway Foundation Art & Change Grant to work with a newly formed group of Young Moms at the Garage in Kennett Square, PA.
Printmaking project with Young Moms Community at The Garage in Kennett Square, PA. Made possible by a Leeway Art & Change Grant 2010.
Since that time my relationship with the YoungMoms Community has grown and developed as have many of the young women I first worked with. Earlier this month I learned that I received my 3rd Leeway Art & Change Grant to continue our work together. I thought I would share it with you again as grant writing is part of being an artist, an also in my new role as Interim Executive Director of the DIAE (Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education,) following the tragic passing in September of our beloved Executive Director, Danny Peak.
YoungMoms Brunch 2014 with the work created during our residency together made possible by a Leeway Foundation Art & Change Grant 2013
As artists, we are always putting ourselves out “there”; wearing our hearts on our sleeves, on paper, on canvas. We often find ourselves waiting for the sale, grant or acceptance letter to come through.
Bridget and Justine worked on a collaborative sculpture made possible by a Leeway Art & Change Grant 2013.
So here’s the great news… the envelope arrived on Friday, a thick one. I was hopeful.
My heart still sank to my stomach when I took it out of the box. Did I tear it open? No. Did I open it first. No. Did I have a little pep talk to myself. Yes.
The great news is that I did get the grant (yea!)… and I will tell you all more about it as it moves along.
But this I will share now. Lessons learned:
1. Start early. Leave yourself enough time to write and rewrite your proposals.
2. If they offer free workshops – MAKE SURE YOU GO TO AT LEAST ONE.
By starting early, I was able to attend 2 which was helpful since in the first workshop I learned that my idea was good but that thisLeeway Foundation Art and Change Grant has various specific goals and my proposal needed work aligning itself with their goals. This brings me to #3….
3. Learn as much as you can about who is funding this grant and find out what their goals and mission are.
I am excited to be supported by this awesome foundation that supports women and transgender artists in the Philadelphia area and look forward to sharing this experience on my blog.
I’d love to hear about social action projects that you have been involved with or know about.
You rock. How you do it all is beyond me.
As do you… you know how we do it- with love!
Nanci, This is FABULOUS. So proud of you and your work both socially in the area and artistically. Please do keep me appraised.
This fall is full of our son visiting this weekend from Algeria, followed by the wedding in Belfast of our daughter-in-law’s younger sister. We finally get to have the grandchildren here for Christmas this year.
However, I do hope to get back to work (and pleasure) painting in the new year. I will be on the search for one of your classes.
Happy, happy fall-
Linda
Thank you Linda! I am so excited for this project. It is wonderful to see the young women develop through such a great program- and they love art!