Supporting Artists Work - Funding & The Competitve Side.
Posted by Jenn | Posted in 3rd Year Posts, issues and practices | Posted on Thursday, February 04, 2010
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I have decided to look into some of the issues surrounding funding support for film artists, mainly the competitive issue. I need to research more into this subject as I aim to be a part of this type of industry - Ideally a video installation artist. So for even me to start thinking about the kind of work I'd like to produce, I need to first of all get my head around how to apply for funding to support me in my filming ambitions.
The funding system can range from cash grants for the production of a film, to funding for development or research into a project. There is also a section called 'indirect support' which ranges from private sponsorship of a project, equipment loans (such as cameras, sound, lighting etc). Partnerships with organisations can also support your work. It has also been known that people offer their support for free, known as in-kind support. I think these types of systems give the artist a better chance to create and develop more in depth projects. For these organistations to recognise the creative potential in the U.K. I think is a fantastic opportunity for doors to open for the artist going through their system.
Arts Council England, and the UK Film Council are the two main channels in which government funding goes through for the moving image section of the arts.
The Arts Council England organisation is aimed more for people who work with film or video in a contemporary fine art style etc whereas the UK Film Council is aimed more for people who create feature films or cinematic style of films.
Because my own style of filmmaking is aimed more at the style on contemporary fine art, I will look at The Arts Council England funding program in more detail.
On their website, http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ their mission statement is ' Developing, Promoting, and Investing in the Arts in England' it really does send out a positive message for artists out there who need a helping hand in the right direction. Another section on the site that really caught my eye, is this statement - 'Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.' I really admire their outlook on how they view the potential of wonderful art that people can produce, and produce well with their help!
A big issue surrounding this subject, is the competitive side to apply for the funding, there are a large volume of applications that the scheme receives, there is no guarantee that you would get the desired funding for your project if the project doesn't meet their criteria. They advice people to go to their office of visual arts in London to speak to someone and show them your work before applying for the scheme. This can be very unpredictable, and I think a big part of success is communication, and how you represent your work. If the person who is looking at your work can't understand the reasoning behind it or the intended message you want to put across within your film/research, then there will be no hope. However, if you go in there confident and positive about your work and ideas, and put across your intended message very clearly then there will be a good chance that the Arts Council England will give you the chance to apply for funding to help you develop your ideas/research/film.
I have also found out though, that choosing the right method of funding relies on many factors, including the subject area that the film expresses, and also the experience that the filmmaker/artist has had before - This adds to the competitive issue in this type of industry and makes it a lot tougher to get your work out there. It is a worrying issue for myself, as I have had no experience whatsoever with gallery work or submitting films in festivals etc, and the time when I do decide I need funding for something is approaching closer and closer.
Collaborating with another artist who has their name out there, e.g. if they have applied for funding before and it has been granted, a good way of networking and getting your foot in the door is to collaborate on a piece with this particular person who would be willing to help you - therefore beginning the process of being recognised with a bit more experience. The phrase comes to mind, 'It's the people you know...'
WORD COUNT: 752
The funding system can range from cash grants for the production of a film, to funding for development or research into a project. There is also a section called 'indirect support' which ranges from private sponsorship of a project, equipment loans (such as cameras, sound, lighting etc). Partnerships with organisations can also support your work. It has also been known that people offer their support for free, known as in-kind support. I think these types of systems give the artist a better chance to create and develop more in depth projects. For these organistations to recognise the creative potential in the U.K. I think is a fantastic opportunity for doors to open for the artist going through their system.
Arts Council England, and the UK Film Council are the two main channels in which government funding goes through for the moving image section of the arts.
The Arts Council England organisation is aimed more for people who work with film or video in a contemporary fine art style etc whereas the UK Film Council is aimed more for people who create feature films or cinematic style of films.
Because my own style of filmmaking is aimed more at the style on contemporary fine art, I will look at The Arts Council England funding program in more detail.
On their website, http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ their mission statement is ' Developing, Promoting, and Investing in the Arts in England' it really does send out a positive message for artists out there who need a helping hand in the right direction. Another section on the site that really caught my eye, is this statement - 'Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.' I really admire their outlook on how they view the potential of wonderful art that people can produce, and produce well with their help!
A big issue surrounding this subject, is the competitive side to apply for the funding, there are a large volume of applications that the scheme receives, there is no guarantee that you would get the desired funding for your project if the project doesn't meet their criteria. They advice people to go to their office of visual arts in London to speak to someone and show them your work before applying for the scheme. This can be very unpredictable, and I think a big part of success is communication, and how you represent your work. If the person who is looking at your work can't understand the reasoning behind it or the intended message you want to put across within your film/research, then there will be no hope. However, if you go in there confident and positive about your work and ideas, and put across your intended message very clearly then there will be a good chance that the Arts Council England will give you the chance to apply for funding to help you develop your ideas/research/film.
I have also found out though, that choosing the right method of funding relies on many factors, including the subject area that the film expresses, and also the experience that the filmmaker/artist has had before - This adds to the competitive issue in this type of industry and makes it a lot tougher to get your work out there. It is a worrying issue for myself, as I have had no experience whatsoever with gallery work or submitting films in festivals etc, and the time when I do decide I need funding for something is approaching closer and closer.
Collaborating with another artist who has their name out there, e.g. if they have applied for funding before and it has been granted, a good way of networking and getting your foot in the door is to collaborate on a piece with this particular person who would be willing to help you - therefore beginning the process of being recognised with a bit more experience. The phrase comes to mind, 'It's the people you know...'
WORD COUNT: 752
