More Than a Mailing List - On Connection, Creativity and Friendship
Image courtesy of Sallyanne Rock
With thanks to Sallyanne Rock of Glass Pen Studios for writing this guest blog post about her experience connecting with Yvonne, our Fundraising Manager, at Creative Black Country.
Starting in a new direction
At the beginning of the year, I set up a freelance business with the mission of providing content writing and support services to artists, community groups and arts organisations. I’m also a working poet with a mixture of projects on the go and I’m often looking for ways to fund them. Someone pointed out Creative Black Country as a potential source, so I had a look at their website and spotted some info on the Black Country Funding Network for Arts and Culture. I contacted Yvonne Gregory, Creative Black Country’s Fundraising Manager, to request to join the mailing list. She added me to the network, and mentioned she was interested in hearing more about the support services I offer. A few weeks later we met for coffee, where Yvonne told me about the Fundraising Fellowship Scheme and invited me to an upcoming ACE (Arts Council England) funding advice session.
Insights, advice and new connections
The session was hosted at CoLab Dudley. I’d seen a bit about the venue online so I was excited to visit. I joined a group of creatives working in a range of artistic disciplines including dance, storytelling, creative writing, and visual arts. The ACE representatives gave us valuable insight into some of the guiding principles behind funding decisions, and a range of useful tips to strengthen our applications. The friendly setting made it easy for us to ask questions, and the team provided tailored advice in one-to-ones. I appreciated the thought that had gone into the planning of the event, from the choice of venue through to the breakfast treats, coffee and a catered lunch (I’m always very happy when food is provided!).
I got so much out of the session, both in my role as support worker for grant applicants, and as an artist with a headful of projects that need funding! But more than that, I found myself among like-minded people. I was in a room full of artists and creatives, and people committed to supporting them as they took their art into the local community. I’ve spent a lot of my life feeling out of place in offices and boardrooms, and I finally felt like I was in the right place. Big exhale.
It was the perfect opportunity for me to make connections with other artists. I’m glad I ended up sharing a table with Ruth and Odette, a.k.a. We Are Makers. I’d seen their unmistakable yarn-bombed trolley in Stourbridge and Dudley town centres, and it turned out we were already following each other on social media. It was great to meet in real life and learn more about the work we’re all doing. We really hit it off - in fact I’m going to go all out and say we’re friends now. Also - and here’s a blog exclusive - look out for a We Are Makers X Poetry collaboration coming soon to a town near you!
Followed by…the follow up
A couple of weeks later I went along to a follow-up workshop at CBC’s West Bromwich base, where cultural development specialist Amy Dalton-Hardy shared her experience and insight into submitting ACE project grants. Amy’s interactive presentation went into the finer details of the application process, simplifying some of the more complex questions, and sharing a heap of helpful tips and advice. Snacks and fruit provided the essential fuel for our brains to absorb all that information, and we were treated to warm samosas for lunch, plus cake! The two sessions really elevated my confidence both in supporting organisations with their funding applications, and in making them for my own practice.
I learned so much, and gained even more
As I was leaving the session, I thanked Yvonne again for the invitation and for connecting me with the group. When I told her she’d changed my life a bit, I meant it. I’m still processing what it means to be part of this group of fellow creatives, using my skills to support important artistic work and reach under-represented and under-served communities in our region. Look out for a follow-up post when I’ve got my head around it!
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
We love to hear about your experiences here at Creative Black Country. If you’d like to share something about an event, advice you’ve received or have a story to share about how one of our projects or members of the team have supported your work, then please get in touch with kerry@creativeblackcountry.co.uk