Getting Funding in the Arts and Humanities

It seems that this year there has been a lot of buzz around seeking external funding for the arts and humanities in the research development world. Despite this particular funding landscape being particularly challenging, it makes sense that RD folks offer more support to those faculty in the arts and humanities. But as soon as someone asks what we should be doing for these essential faculty, there is either a resounding silence or someone timidly points to the Foundation Center's Directory for Arts and Humanities Funding.

At any rate, in this week's blog I offer some tips and resources for those faculty in the arts and humanities both from conversations I've had with our own A&H faculty and from other experts - both those faculty writing grants in these fields and those supporting them.

Finding a common language
Artists have a unique perspective on their work, what it does, and how they cultivate that work. They sometimes have what feels like a different language to discuss their creative process that us art dummies (and I'm referring to myself) have a hard time following. The dilemma here is that depending on the genre of art or creative work we're talking about, these languages don't necessarily translate even within the arts.  And, when the art dummies come into the process, either as research developers, grant reviewers, or sponsors in some cases, the faculty member's work can be greeted with confused looks.

This is where research developers can provide support. When working with those in grant development, they can help you cull out the common language that will speak to sponsors. They can also help to illuminate where there are holes in your story and thus your case for funding.

Humanities PIs have a similar challenge in that it is often difficult for them to quickly and succinctly get to their case and point, often forcing them to skip over or abbreviate centuries of foundational work that may seem obscure to the layperson, but is necessary to really see the richness of a new project. Again, use an outside perspective of layperson to help you translate some difficult concepts into something simpler. Although it may be difficult to set aside some of the details that seem so crucial, always remember that effective writers, and certainly funded PIs must learn to "murder their darlings," which refers to cutting the language that although you may love, does not help your reader to understand your point.

Write your story
The University of Colorado Boulder's Center for Arts and Humanities offers some tips to A&H grant writers. Among their suggestions is that faculty write a 3000 word grant-like description of their work. Whether this is in response to an RFP or just an exercise you go through, answering what you're doing, how you're doing it, and why it's important for a broad audience will offer you clarity on your own work that will extend beyond your artist's statement or your research mission statement.

Susan Stanford Friedman of Carleton College's English Department suggests that A&H grant writers focus on the big picture of their research and work, to really try and step back and conceptualize the whole of your work and how all of the pieces then fit together.

Open up to different funding opportunities
I mentioned already how competitive grant funding is for A&H, but there is a larger span of funding opportunities than most faculty are aware.  First, being aware of the big A&H sponsors in the federal and private arenas and what they fund is important, especially if your work is a good fit for any of the major funders.

Funding in the arts and humanities also often take on different forms than traditional grants.  Opportunities like residencies, travel opportunities, etc. may not look like funding opportunities, but they are competitive support programs that can further your work and build your credentials as you go after other funding (traditional and non) in the future.

Lastly, faculty can find success by looking at how they can partner with faculty and researchers outside of their field and be eligible for funding on larger grant applications where they play a unique role as a co-PI or consultant. It's also good to note that by collaborating with others outside your field, you will further improve how you position and discuss your work and its relevance to laypeople.

Resources
Funding Opportunities in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences - NORDP presentation
Writing Effective Proposals - Susan Stanford Friedman
Gigi Rosenberg's Blog - Author, Artist, and Entrepreneur