the bounder - Latest Comments in The End of the Line

Re: The End of the Line

brendadada — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:05:03 -0000

Yeah, just get on and do it. Applying for funding is just one hurdle. If you get it there will be strings, including forced timescales, ongoing monitoring and evluation criteria, and boring form filling. All that can be enough to make the funding cost more in time than you get in money.

Plus often, it becomes their project, not yours, logo-laden and corporate looking. Arts Lottery used to be mildly better at that than Arts Council.

Re: The End of the Line

@MentalArtsBrum — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:56:41 -0000

. . . I don't mean 'tick boxes' as get all cynical about it and stuff, and I certainly wouldn't advocate CHASING pots of money, but if it's something you believe in it can be really positive to see where your ideas fit into the bigger scheme of things . . . and can have a really powerful effect on everyone connected to it, especially when you see other people take ownership of your idea and watch it become something else you couldn't even have dreamed of. For instance, the mapping projects you details above, including the emotional mapping, that would be SO powerful if it were used in the context of dementia, or as a cultural studies / community cohesion type thing.

Re: The End of the Line

Jon Bounds — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:42:33 -0000

Cheers Deborah. To be honest tho' I don't want to tick funders boxes, just do stuff - which is perhaps why funded work isn't for me. Something to think about, indeed.

Re: The End of the Line

@MentalArtsBrum — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:39:51 -0000

My experience of putting in bids is that you have to clearly demonstrate the need for the project. What immediately springs to mind to me is Birmingham's 'Buzzin' About' project which helps people with mental health difficulties use public transport. Could you work with this group, and with a partner organisation to realise the project? I can put you in touch if you like. It's a good idea. You have great ideas. Don't get disheartened. You just have to tick the funders' boxes, tis all.