Has anyone ever applied for an Arts Council grant?

[Nadz1lla]

I need some advice, have been to the arts council page and seems they are pretty willing to give out grants for all sorts of musical stuff, so I'm going to try my luck and see how much I can get for equipment for my band. Thing is, I'm at a bit of a loss on how to write my application letter.
Has anyone here done this or know someone who has? I just need some pointers on how to word it so that I don't sound like a buffoon, or someone who is going to piss it up the wall. Being unemployed but passionate about my music, I'm wondering whether they'll even consider me.

Any advice regarding this kind of thing would be absolutely brilliant. Going to Google some more, hah!  :D

[HTH AMPS]

if you're involved with any local groups encouraging 'youngsters' to get into music (workshops etc) you'll have a really good chance of getting a grant from the Prince's Trust AND the lottery too. 

if you're just some unemployed geezer who wants cash to feed a GAS habit - forgetaboutit!!!

I've been there, you've got no chance unless you're (a) giving back to the community or (b) under 16 and a musical genius.

[ailean]

No experience, but if they were just giving money away they'd be broke by now.

I assume they will have very specific requirements that you meet in order to qualify. "Upgrading my band's rig" isn't going to cut it. I imagine it will be goal driven, something like entering a contest, getting grades, doing some kind of promotion (not yourselves, promoting music to kids or something).

Have a try with 'World record attempt for most groupies in one night'

[ailean]

if you're just some unemployed geezer who wants cash to feed a GAS habit

GAS is a much under appricated afliction, I think there should be government grants to help by gear for those poor souls affacted. We could fund it by not paying MP's expenses.

[Nadz1lla]

I'm sure I could find some way of involving activities for kids in there somewhere...hmm, lemme see... Ah yes! Kid-fit! A groundbreaking scheme to get kids active. This will involve them coming to gigs and bouncing around like a bunch of looneys in the mosh-pit. How about that? Burn calories I tell thee! "Send your obnoxious, irritating, obese child to mosh-camp, he'll come home 10 stone lighter!"

Going to have to rethink this.

GAS is an unfortunate affliction, we need to set up a charity for its sufferers.

WAIT! THAT'S IT! I'm going to become a charity....    :D

[HTH AMPS]

GAS should be recognised as a compulsive disorder, I'm all for that - we've all fallen prey to GAS at one time or another.

[Will]

I think one of my mates did for a video production, he basically had to include a theme into his video. I think it was about a rather lost child with an alcy Father for anyone that cares.
Not what he actually wanted to do though..

[Adam.M]

I think one of my mates did for a video production, he basically had to include a theme into his video. I think it was about a rather lost child with an alcy Father for anyone that cares.
Not what he actually wanted to do though..

They paid for his video gear? awesome... Mine'll be a Canon XL H1, a snitch at £7,000

But really Nad, no, I don't think they'll pay for bands gear.

But, you are unemployed, have you heard of New Deal for Musicians? I was going to give that a go but I wouldn't call myself a musician, maybe you'll want to look that up.

[Nadz1lla]

I remember seeing something about it and then being put off for some reason, cannae remember why now. Time for a read-up on it again methinks, heh.

It's just that I heard of some band getting a grant a while back from someone like the Arts Council and it was just for Gear and transport so they could take their "art" across the UK (A Tour basically). Reeeeally gotta find out who gave them all that dough to fund a van and a tour!  :?

[Will]

They gave him about £400 in the end I think