Here’s an update on Cosmic Agents’ Grant Writing on Jan 19 at 5. We had 31 attendees! There was practically a new person arriving every minute until 5:30.  We toured the Rasmuson website’s Individual Artist Award information. Since this opportunity began over ten years ago, Rasmuson has disbursed over 2 million to Alaskan artists in 36 grants every year, from project grants (for emerging and mid-career artists) to fellowships (mid career and mature only) and distinguished artists (mature artists only). However, in addition to Rasmuson’s awards, an artist of any media will need an artist statement to apply for an art grant such as a Career Opportunity Grant and the Boochever Award, available through Alaska State Council on the Arts.  We listened to an artist statement by a dancer who received a fellowship. Then Tim Robb (who received a project grant previously) shared his statement and we had a great discussion about different ways to develop content. A lot of people jumped into the conversation and four people volunteered to help read/revise statements. Ideas that came up: If you are intimidated about writing, have a friend interview you and record it. Or another friend can take notes. Maybe a writer friend would be willing to help you draft a statement. Most people don’t get a grant the first time they try.  But keep in mind that just by applying they help to demonstrate the need for grants you’ll help to insure the growth and stability of the grants to all artists. After reviewing steps on how to write an artist statement, we took a short break for a silent writing session focused jotting down ideas for one’s artist statement.Then we had more discussion followed by delicious pizza donated by Fat Olives. It was wondeful that Keren Lowell from ASCA attended as well as Anna Meredith from the REC room and Cody Davidson from Youth on Record. We were all here to learn, to network and share ideas about how to inspire emerging artists, especially youth. A diverse range of artists attended this workshop: two cartoonists, five writers, eight musicians, ten visual artists, two filmmakers…  For a monthly email on artists opportunities including grants, sign up to receive Alaska State Council on the Arts Newsletter by emailing keren.lowell@alaska.gov

The dates for our next two grant workshops are  Feb. 9: Writing your Project Description  and Feb. 23: Writing your Budget and Final Review/Revision of  Your Proposal. We will meet at 5 pm at Bunnell for the workshop and have pizza after.