Thinking about writing a Developing Your Creative Practice application, but aren’t sure you’ll get there on your own?
Every time you think about pulling together a funding application it feels like a massive step, so you never quite get around to it.
You struggle to find the time and energy to pull an application together. There always seems to be something like, life or earning money which gets in the way.
With so much to think about, it’s impossible to know where to start. And anyway, you’re not sure you’re the sort of artist that the Arts Council funds.
Enter Funding Club
That’s why I created Funding Club… a fabulous, supportive space for artists and creatives who are ready to work together to understand what they really want, identify what’s getting in their way and finally write an application to Arts Council England (ACE) which gives them the time and money to focus on their art.
I’ll be there throughout to help you work out where to start, explore what’s important to you and match everything to the ACE’s criteria. My application templates, tools and tips will help you to get things straight and stop their guidance notes making your head swim.
Funding Club is designed to be flexible to your needs
Maybe you…
- Are just playing with ideas and are not quite ready to apply
- Are focused and looking for support to submit your BEST application
- Had your last application turned down but can’t work out why
When you PRESS SUBMIT after being a part of Funding Club, you’ll know that you’ve written THE BEST possible application which really stands out in the crowd.
Imagine yourself… in a few months time, putting together your plans for the rest of the year, with your creative practice at the top of your list and the funding to make it happen.
Join Funding Club to…
Gain bid writing skills by working through my 5-Step Funding Guide
Turn your ideas into fundable projects that feel ambitious and achievable
Understand funding speak so you can tick boxes and keep your sparkle
Take the mystery out of building a budget
Answer any questions along the way
“Manda has been the most amazing help with completing my Arts Council project grant application. She gave me gentle nudges, resulting in not only an application that I was proud to submit but a much more fully developed and well-rounded project idea. I couldn’t recommend Manda enough for all her skill, insight and patience.”
Amanda Jackson
Visual Artist & Photographer
“At first I found the task of tackling my grant application totally overwhelming. Manda helped me break it down, making each section far more manageable. Overall, Manda encourages you to write in your own style and words, prior to refining the application before submission, providing some invaluable support along the way.”
Jonathan Goldberg
Visual Artists & Photographer
Ellen Angus
Mixed Media & Performance Artist
What’s included in Funding Club?
Getting Started Questions
If you sometimes find yourself doing jobs you hate to avoid sitting down and getting on with stuff, these are for you! Get a drink and find a comfy spot to sit and work through these insightful questions to get the big ideas out of your head and onto a piece of paper.
5-Step Funding Guide
My easy to follow funding course will guide you through my tried and tested way to approach funding applications. Learn new tools and tips so you can write your application with enthusiasm, meet the criteria and stand out in the crowd.
Live Group Sessions
Live Group Sessions (held on Zoom) are held from 7-8.30pm every 2 weeks, normally on Tuesday evening. For our Spring 24 term these will be on 6th, 20th February, 5th, 19th March and 2nd April.
If you miss a session don’t worry, a recording will be in the members area.
Funding Club Clubhouse Members Forum
The Clubhouse is hosted on WhatsApp. It’s a great place to chat, share challenges, questions and ideas in between Live Group Sessions.
Funding Application & Budget Templates
Downloadable templates including application questions, ACE budget template and prompts are ready for you to access when you want to get started.
Checklists, ACE Guidance and Example Applications
All the funding criteria and guidance documents in one place.
Extra tools, audios and downloads
If there’s anything you need, let me know and I’ll see what I can do to give you the support you need.
What’s not included?
Whilst I’ll be there with you all the way and will do everything I can to ensure you write a fabulous application, I can’t write your application for you, sorry.
If this is something you feel you need, then my Funding Mentor Support service is a better fit for you.
In Funding Club, you need to be ready to commit your own time, energy and commitment to get stuck in, work out plans and do the work to shape your project and application.
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To keep things affordable, Funding Club doesn’t include Funding Mentor 1:1 support or application reviews
As feedback is really important, I do recommend that you find someone to be your ‘2nd pair of eyes’. This should be someone you value the option of and who knows your work to review your application and provide feedback.
Interested in adding Funding Mentor 1:1 support to your Funding Club package?
If you’d like to have your application reviewed by an experienced arts funding specialist, I work with a small team of associates who are able to provide support.
If you are interested please get in touch so that I can understand your needs and match you with the right mentor.
Ready to Join Funding Club?
Great news, I’m looking forward to working with you to write your best ever funding application.
Just click the link below.
Funding Club - membership for 1 term
- Or pay in 3 monthly instalments of £65
- Spring 24 Term: 5th Feb – 11th April (booking closed)
- Summer 24 Term: 17th June – 22nd Aug
- Winter 24 Term: 22nd Oct – 12th Dec
- Click below to sign up to Waiting List
Not sure? Let’s Talk
If you’d like to chat about your options, book in a no obligation 20 minute chat with me.
What happens in Funding Club?
Step 1:
Getting Started
You can only join Funding Club at three points in the year, normally around 12 weeks before each DYCP deadline. From the date you join you have access to all our Funding Club resources for one term. If you feel you need more time you’ll be able to reserve your place for the next term before we open the doors to waiting list members.
When you book you’ll get an email with access to the Funding Club Members Area where you’ll find my Getting Started Questions.
It’s often hard to get started so, I’ve put together these questions will help you to get your thoughts on paper quickly before you move onto the application. Don’t over think them!
Step 2:
Book Live Group Zoom Session Dates in Your Diary
Live Group Sessions (held on Zoom) are held from 7-8.30pm every 2 weeks, normally on Tuesday evening. For our Spring 24 term these will be on 6th, 20th February, 5th, 19th March and 2nd April.
Group sessions give Funding Club members a chance to get to know each other, share where they are and what they have learned or are finding hard. Don’t miss these, they are so lovely and more supportive than I could have ever imagined… friendships and creative collaborations have started here!
Recordings are uploaded in the members area so you can watch if you couldn’t join us or if there is anything you didn’t catch and want to review.
Step 3:
Introducing the Funding Guide
When Funding Club doors open you have access to my 5-Step Funding Guide. I’ll lead you through a simple process which will become your trail of breadcrumbs. This is the process I use when approaching any type of funding application. There are all sorts of tips and tricks in there which will help you to get to grips with your application.
Plus… it’s a method you’ll be able to use for future funding applications.
Step 4:
Get Your Questions Answered in the Funding Club Clubhouse
The Clubhouse is group hosted on Whatsapp where Funding Club members can explore ideas and post questions as things come up. See what other members think about whatever you are finding hard. I check in everyday Mon – Thurs to comment and respond to any questions. I have written or supported the submission of over 60 Arts Council applications over the years and so can answer most questions.
Step 5:
Access to Application Templates, Checklists and Example Applications
You’ll have access to all sorts of useful resources to help you with your application including; my application and budget templates, links to all of Arts Council England’s guidance docs in one place, my criteria checklists and lots of examples of successful applications across various artforms.
“Funding Club has, without a doubt, encouraged and supported me to get my ACE Developing Your Creative Practice application completed. I was very nervous of applying and have been putting it off for several years. The opportunity to build my application with the support of a small group of peers going through a similar process, alongside Manda’s excellent knowledge and support, was the impetus I needed – and I am so glad I joined Funding Club.”
Rebecca Farkas
Contemporary Artist
“The idea for my own DYCP project has been swirling around for at least a year so Funding Club gave me a deadline, focus, expert advice pertinent to me, a timetable to follow, up-to-date information regarding ACE protocol and changes. I liked that I wasn’t swimming the English Channel alone, you were a lifeguard! You stepped in when required and sort of nudged me gently, and I never felt panicked or pushed. The Zoom’s were great, interesting and motivational too. Also, the Facebook FC was an asset, as people asked questions and we were able to offer suggestions and support each other.”
Jeanette McCulloch
Mixed Media Artist
Ready to Join Funding Club?
If you’re not sure, you are welcome to book a free, no obligation 20 minute chat with me. Tell me what you are thinking and I can make a suggestion.
Funding Club - membership for 1 term
- Or pay in 3 monthly instalments of £65
- Spring 24 Term: 5th Feb – 11th April (booking closed)
- Summer 24 Term: 17th June – 22nd Aug
- Winter 24 Term: 22nd Oct – 12th Dec
- Click below to sign up to Waiting List
Not sure? Let’s Talk
If you’d like to chat through your best options, book in for a no obligation 20 minute chat with me.
Funding Club is for you if …
- You are a mid-career artist or creative who’s feeling a bit stuck
- You are ready to innovate and take risks to make changes that will take you to the next level in your practice
- You are buzzing with ambitious and exciting, maybe slightly vague, ideas, that feel a bit scary to you
- You’re not ready to apply yet, but you just need a supportive space to explore ideas so that you are ready for a future funding round
- You are up for putting time and enthusiasm into exploring your creative goals and writing your application
Funding Club is not for you if …
- You are not ready to prioritise your creative practice
- You have barriers to completing the application such as dyslexia or dyspraxia or you feel you need extra 1:1 support. If this is you, then my Funding Mentor support is for you and if you have a disability ask me about ACE’s Access Support fund or UK Government Access to Work funding
- You aren’t ready for any sort of change at the moment
I’m looking forward to working with you!
Questions and Answers
How does Funding Club work?
Once you’re a Funding Club member you get full access to my 5-Step Funding Guide, the Funding Club resource bank and the Funding Club Clubhouse members forum (Whatsapp group) for one Funding Club term (see dates above).
It’s designed to be 100% flexible to fit around your life and work, so you can drop in at whatever time works for you, wherever you are.
You can only join Funding Club at three points in the year, normally around 12 weeks before each DYCP deadline. From the date you join you have access to all our Funding Club resources for one term. If you feel you need more time you’ll be able to reserve your place for the next term before we open the doors to waiting list members.
I am thinking of applying to ACE's Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) fund. Am I ready?
- Are you a mid-career creative working in one of these artforms (dance, literature, museums, music, theatre, visual arts, combined arts, or libraries)?
- Are you keen to increase the quality of your art or creative practice?
- Are you buzzing with ambitious and exciting ideas that feel a bit scary to you?
- Are you interested in innovating and taking risks to help you to make changes that will take you to the next level?
- Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone to get closer your creative goals?
- Can you write about what you do enthusiastically (you don’t need to be an brilliant writer)?
- Do you have a friend, family member or colleague to be your “second pair of eyes” or “critical friend” to give you feedback on your application?
How long will it take me to write my application?
As everyone is different it’s hard to say how long it will take you to write your application. As a guide, allow around 8-10 days over 6-8 weeks to research and write a Developing Your Creative Practice application and 20-30 days over 3-4 months to research and write a Project Grant application.
Be prepared, your application WILL take over your life!
Is there anything I need to think about before I join Funding Club?
You may be joining Funding Club to explore ideas for a later application. If this is you, no prep needed. Just join, jump into our Getting Started Questions and then go from there.
If you are joining Funding Club to get your application submitted within a timeframe, it’s important to ensure that you are able to give it the time that it will need. If you are doing things right and writing your application with passion and purpose, it will be in your mind morning, noon and night until you finish it. There are things you can do to try and keep things under control and keep yourself sane, but if you expect this to happen then at least you are forewarned.
I've heard the Arts Council have an Access Fund, how do I find out more?
If you are dyslexic, dyspraxic or have other access issues that make applying for Arts Council funding hard, they have an Access Support Fund which you can apply to for support to complete your application.
Unfortunately, Access Funds cannot be used to cover Funding Club fees. I am a registered Arts Council England Access Support provider and am happy to chat about how this might work for you, visit my Funding Mentor page to find out more.
I'm not sure if what I'm thinking will work or if it's the sort of thing the Arts Council will fund.
Project Grants Quiz: Am I ready to apply?
I’ve applied to Developing Your Creative Practice before, can I submit an application in the next round?
Visit the Developing Your Creative Practice page on the ACE website where they explain the current rules.
Is everything I need to submit a successful ACE application included in Funding Club?
Funding Club will give you expert instruction, templates, guidance docs and loads of support. What you don’t get is someone to write your application for you.
To help you with that, it’s a good idea to recruit a reliable “second pair of eyes”. Someone who knows your work and is happy to go through your application to ensure your application “exceeds” the criteria. I get my dad to read my applications!
What if Funding Club isn't what I expected?
I hope that Funding Club gives you everything you need. If it’s not what you expected, get in touch within 15 days of the first day of your membership and I’ll give you a full refund (less Stripe admin fees).
I'm not ready now, but am keen to join in the future. How do I find out about future dates?
There are lots of chances to join Funding Club throughout the year. Find the dates on my website.
If you are interested in joining in the future sign up to the Creative Spark mailing list to hear about future Funding Club dates.
Can you guarantee my application will be successful?
Unfortunately, we’re all in the same boat. Arts Council funding, like all funding, is competitive.
I have helped 100s of people and worked on many of my own projects, securing Arts Council funding and raising over £2 million to support creative projects. If you are up for this, I am 100% committed to supporting you. I will do everything I can to help you to get clear about what to focus on to give you the best chance of success.
In our Live Group Sessions we’ll discuss how to ensure your application “exceeds” the criteria, supports your creative development and really showcases your energy and enthusiasm. Really tuning into and shouting about your story, as well as your creative ambitions and dreams is what will make you stand out in the crowd!
I've still got questions
I’m always happy to chat about your plans and work out if they are likely to be the sort of thing that the Arts Council will fund.
Drop me an email or book a free 20 min chat and we can decide if Funding Club is right for you.