This document provides guidance on approaching public galleries and writing proposals as an artist. It discusses selecting galleries, developing a 3-year plan with goals and strategies, researching what galleries offer (e.g. publicity, exhibition space), networking with gallery staff, and developing skills like proposal writing. Proposal writing tips include writing a mission statement, identifying funding sources, creating a budget and timeline, compiling CVs and visual materials, and submitting complete proposals with cover letters and checklists. The document also lists publicly funded galleries in Limerick and gives examples of mission statements and project schedules.

1. Approaching public galleries
Pippa Little, Curator

2. “it would be terrific if, … a gallery owner saw
one of your paintings and offered you a
showing. In this fantasy, critics and collectors
discover you. That’s it… You’re written about
in Time magazine by Robert Hughes. You
are invited to show at the Whitney Biennial.”
Molly Barnes

3. Approaching public galleries
• Select
• Write a three year plan
• Skills to develop
• Research (what do they offer)
• Network
• Remember galleries programme in
advance

4. Proposal writing
• Mission statement
• Identify funding sources
• Get proposal guidelines
• Budget
• CV
• Visual materials
• Timeline
• Covering letter

5. Select
Limerick has the following publicly
funded galleries
• Limerick City Gallery of Art
• Hunt Museum
• Printmakers
• Belltable Arts Centre
• Bourne Vincent Gallery-UL

6. LCGA mission statement
to provide artists with the opportunity
to experiment, develop and above
all display their work;
Neva Elliott, 2005

7. Write a 3 year plan
Short and long term goals
Example
• Put together exhibition in local library
• Apply for County Council artists bursary
• Apply for Arts Council Travel Award
• Have solo exhibition by 2010

8. Break into goals,
strategy, deadlines
Goal exhibition in local library
Strategy
• Approach librarian
• Fundraise from local businesses
• Get press coverage
• Invite curator from arts centre to open the exhibition
Deadline
6 months

9. Skills to develop
• Proposal writing
• Teaching
• Computing, database
management, word,
Photoshop
• Project management
• Press releases
• Negotiation

10. Tips
• Think of Ireland as a whole
• Use open submissions strategically
• Spend time preparing application forms
and proposals
• Rejection and success is all part of the
process
• Use Visual Artists Ireland

11. What do galleries offer
Publicity
• mail out database
• postage
• private view
• invitations
• preparing the press release
• advertising
• inclusion on web site

12. What do galleries offer
Exhibiting
• transport
• Installation (technicians)
• space
• production costs
• catalogue
• Insurance
• invigilation

13. Network
Do not drop in on spec
• Phone and find out about exhibition policy
and open submissions
• Sign up to the mailing list
• Attend openings
• Get to know staff and add them to your
mailing list
• Good quality post cards for minor
correspondence

14. Alternative Networking
• Can you meet for another reason (research,
transport advice, voluntary)
• Can you invite the curator to open an exhibition
of your work
• Do any of your colleagues know the curator
• Look out for staff changes
• What about the education or lecture
programme?

15. Proposal writing
The screening process

16. Why write a proposal
• To plan your project
• To manage your project
• To fundraise for your project

17. Goals and objectives
• Define broad project goals, then identify
objectives
Goal
To publish a one off art book
Objective
Select five artists to contribute

18. Mission statement
Example
• Cabinet's hybrid sensibility merges the popular appeal of
an arts periodical, the visually engaging style of a design
magazine, and the in-depth exploration of a scholarly
journal…. a valuable sourcebook…for a wide range of
readers, from artists and designers to scientists and
historians.
• inIVA creates exhibitions, publications, multimedia,
education and research projects, designed to bring the
work of artists from culturally-diverse backgrounds to the
attention of the widest possible public.

19. Identify funding sources
• Arts Council- Bursaries Award, Projects New Work, Projects Once Off,
Commissions, Travel and Training Awards, Small Festivals
• Local Council
• CREATE (Artist in the Community)
• Culture Ireland
• Heritage Council
• Galleries
• CAFE Publications / Clann Credo
Irish Fundraising Handbook, 5th edition, 2003-2004

20. Get Proposal Guidelines
• Read thoroughly
• Constantly refer to guidelines
Check the following
• Deadlines
• Eligibility
• Accompanying material
• Funding goals and priorities
• Evaluation process and criteria

21. Exhibition name
Contents
Exhibition name detailed proposal p.1
Current CVs
Curator p.4
Gallery p.5
Artists
Artist 1 p.7
Artist 2 p.8
Artist 3 p.9
Artist 4 p.10
Artist 5 p.11
Artist 6 p.12
Artist 7 p.13
Supporting documentation
Images
Artist 1 p.14
Artist 2 p.15
Artist 3 p.15
Artist 4 p.16
Artist 5 p.17
Artist 6 p.18
Artist 7 p.19
References to similar initiatives and projects p.20
Additional financial and administrative details p.21
Press and publicity p.21
The catalogue p.21
Outline of plans for evaluating the proposal p.21
Audience figures p.21
Evidence of collaborative process p.21
Timescale/schedule p.22
Venue agreement and administration support p.23
Brochure: Previous exhibition
Catalogue: previous catalogue
Contents

22. Budget
What do you need?
• Matching funding
• Quotes
• In kind support
• Timetable of payment schedules

23. CV
• Up to date
• Include things that are relevant
• Remove things if they are not
• Skills based (if you are running a project)
• Exhibition based (if you are applying for a
bursary)

24. Visual materials
• Use a photographer
• Don’t send slides unless specified
• Do send CD with contact sheet
• Name your images on CD
• Give title, medium and date
• Make sure they are in a compatible
format
• Label ALL accompanying material

25. Schedule for Newsletter!
September October November December January February March April May June July
Dialogue with artists and writers
Editing
Print issue
Assessment of issue
Launch
Distribution
August SeptemberOctober November
Dialogue with artists and writers Powwow ended
Editing
Print issue
Assessment of issue
Launch
Distribution
Timetable

26. Press coverage

27. Covering letter
• Address to a real person (find out on internet
or phone)
• Explain why your work might be suitable for
the venue/programme
• Keep to one page

28. Submission checklist
• Requested number of copies
• Copy to file
• Be sure to include required documentation

29. Summary
Approaching public
galleries
• Select
• Write 3 year plan
• Research
• Network
Proposal writing
• Mission statement
• Funding sources
• Budget
• CV
• Visual materials
• Covering letter

30. Bibliography
• Barnes, M., How to get Hung: A Practical Guide for Emerging
Artists, Journey Editions, 1994.
• Denvir, B., & Gray, H., Making Art Pay, Phaidon, 1989.
• http://www.a-n.co.uk/cgi-bin/db2www.exe/home.d2w/input?
textonly=0
• http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html
• http://www.artscouncil.ie/
• http://www.create-ireland.ie/
• www.cultureireland.gov.ie.
• http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/information/
• http://www.iniva.org/general/index