Grant Writing Workshops and Office on the Road
The Iowa Arts Council conducts Grant Writing Workshops and schedules Office on the Road dates throughout Iowa for artists, educators, communities and organizations who are seeking funding support for arts-related activities.
Grant Writing Workshops
Option 1: Basic Grant Writing Workshops
Basic grant writing workshops focus primarily on Iowa Arts Council Major and Mini Project Grants, though we will also briefly discuss other grant programs of the IAC and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Presenters speak very specifically about the process of submission and how to plan and prepare for writing an IAC Major or Mini Grant. We will go over what the review panel will be looking for in terms of our three review criteria: Artistic Excellence, Service to Iowans and Planning/Implementation. Participants review and score an actual grant application submitted to the IAC as part of a grant reading exercise. We allow time at the end of each workshop for brief one-on-one consultations with staff.
We schedule about 6 workshops a year – you’ll find the dates, places and times below. The standard workshop lasts about 3 hours.
Want to add a workshop to our schedule?
If you are interested in hosting a public workshop in your area in addition to those we’ve scheduled, we would be happy to work with you to schedule one. The host fee is $150, which helps to pay for IAC staff time, travel, and materials. Weekday afternoons during non-winter months are usually best, however we will work to accommodate your scheduling needs.
Option 2: Intensive Grant Writing Workshop
The IAC also offers a full-day intensive grant writing workshop for smaller groups (generally no more than 10 people). Participants should have some concrete ideas for a Major or Mini Grant (individual artist, folk and traditional arts, arts in schools and communities). We’ll go through the IAC basic grant writing workshop content in the morning. We’ll break for lunch (on your own) and spend the afternoon writing, reading, and giving feedback to each other. You should leave this workshop with at least the draft for an IAC grant! This workshop is also available in a 2-day format, scheduled for an afternoon session and subsequent-day morning session. Host fee for this workshop is $250.
Click here for more information.
Office on the Road
Office on the Road offers the opportunity to meet with IAC staff – about whatever topics constituents desire -- without having to come to Des Moines. Arts Council staff members come to your community and are available to provide technical assistance, project planning advice, etc. to artists and arts organizations. Appointments are scheduled at 20-minute intervals. We schedule about 3 of these a year; see the dates and locations below. If you are interested in hosting an IAC Office on the Road in your area in addition to those scheduled, we will try to accommodate your request. The host fee is $250.
Program Details
Basic Grant Writing Workshop
Hosting Fee
- Free if part of IAC’s regular annual schedule; $150 if added
What the IAC Does
- General PR/marketing for the workshop including press releases and promotion in our online newsletter, Iowa Arts News
- Manage online registration and confirmations for participants
- Provide printed handouts including a printed version of the PowerPoint presentation for each registered participant
What the Host Does
- Provide a facility with adequate lighting and seating for at least 30 people, preferably at tables so that participants can take notes
- Furnish necessary equipment (projector, laptop, screen or wall to project our PowerPoint)
- Promote within your community to your constituents
- Provide refreshments
Participants Should Bring
- Writing utensil(s) for note-taking
Intensive Grant Writing Workshop
Hosting Fee
- $250; by request only
What the IAC Does
- All of the above,
What the Host Does
- All of the above
- Participants Should Bring - 50-word project description (a draft is more than fine)
- Outline, bullets, or even a draft of the narrative questions
- Ideas for your budget
- Writing utensil(s) for note-taking
Office on the Road
Hosting Fee
- Free if part of IAC’s regular annual schedule; $250 if added
What the IAC Does
- General PR/marketing for the Office on the Road including press releases and promotion in our online newsletter, Iowa Arts News
- Handle online scheduling of appointments
What the Host Does
- Provide table or office space for at least 2 IAC staff members, that will allow semi-private one-on-one consultations with constituents
- Post signage as needed in the facility to direct constituents to the Office on the Road location
- Promote within your community to your constituents
- Provide light refreshments (i.e., coffee, water)
Participants Should Bring
- Writing utensil(s) for note-taking
Schedule for 2008/2009 Basic Grant Writing Workshops and Office on the Road
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS |
OFFICE ON THE ROAD |
July 15, 2008: Fort Madison August 25, 2008: Des Moines September 9, 2008: Clinton September 23, 2008: Council Bluffs December 1, 2008: Des Moines February 23, 2009: Des Moines |
May 15, 2008: Le Mars July 16, 2008: Fort Madison
September 24, 2008: Council Bluffs |
