Undoubtedly, one of the most significant challenges today for artists is to financially sustain their work and artistic practice. With part-time work and teaching gigs, perhaps an occasional gallery sale, support of parents and partners, possibly prizes or awards – one tries to navigate the current state of art funding. It does not seem strange to say that knowing how to source funds for yourself or your collective, and navigating the world of funding is an essential tool for any aspiring creative in today’s world. In this article we will explore the top 3 digital tools that exist to find funding opportunities in the EU and beyond to help you sail through this world.
Searching for funding opportunities online can feel overwhelming, nerve-wracking, devastating, and ultimately, you just want to close all those tabs. Before you fall into the million tabs world though, the first step is to have a clear picture of what your goals and needs are. Are you looking for a residency program abroad to spark your inspiration and work on your idea? Do you want to create a community arts festival and need funding for the project activities? Knowing what your current needs are will enable you to delineate your research and choose the right digital tool for your project.
When it comes to the European Union, you might ask; is there a tool to find all available EU art funding? Well, yes. The European Commission’s website offers the CulturEU Funding Guide, an interactive tool to help you discover funding opportunities for the Cultural and Creative Sectors, based on your field, type of organization you work for (including individuals), and the support you are looking for. Probably the most relevant EU funding for creatives is the Creative Europe Program. It includes 3 main strands, namely, the CULTURE strand, consisting of initiatives promoting and enhancing artistic and cultural cooperation at European level, the MEDIA strand – which supports actions encouraging innovation and sustainability of the European audiovisual sector, and finally, the CROSS-SECTORAL strand that supports initiatives across the audiovisual and cultural sectors.
Other digital tools available to help artists find funding include the platform On the Move, the international cultural mobility network that includes open calls from across the world, including useful resources and technical information on visas, taxation, etc. It is really a clear, up-to-date and free to use tool, where one can explore various opportunities within the international arts sector! Furthermore, another handy tool to have in mind is ResArtis, a platform that supports and connects residencies and provides recommendations towards cultural mobility research and policy. Here, you can find up-to-date open calls for residencies across the globe by selecting the application deadline and the country of your choice.
Found your ideal open call and/or funding opportunity? Great. Now it is time to get to business. Most funding applications require a clear project proposal, in which you must define what exactly you will create and why it matters to you, your community or society in general. Crafting your narrative requires creativity, honesty and also, being truthful to the open call application. This means explaining how your artistic practice matches with the profile of the open call and/or funding opportunity. Furthermore, having an up-to-date portfolio and CV showcasing previous work or a concept for your new project is a must. To help you craft your online portfolio, check out DigiHelicon’s Module 3 on building your personal brand and developing your online portfolio. While getting funding can be challenging, using Digital Tools to find and navigate the complex world of open calls for artists is an essential skill in the current state of the art world. Use the tools mentioned in this article to find the most suitable funding for you and your project. Good luck!