Transcript Kirsten Coelho
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Transcript Kirsten CoelhoGrant category
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My recent project application was based around three different areas. One was trying to create greater translucency and scale in my work. Another was trying to create new glazes and continuing on looking at colonial enamel wares and tin wares and now I’ve extended that into glass – old bottles, and old ceramic bottles as well.
I’ve been very lucky that I’ve applied for four Australia Council grants and I’ve been lucky to be successful in three. There’s a two things I’ve found that have been particularly important when applying. One is to ensure that you have really good quality images that make your work look clear and the best that it could possibly look. The other is in the writing – once you’ve written your application I’ve found it really really beneficial to get other people to read through my application before I send it in.
A good friend told me to think of questions when you are writing so to answer questions like what are you going to do, how are you going to do it, why are you doing it, where are you doing it?
Through the images, and through my acquittal as well I can show that there’s been an evolution in the work and I hope that that suggests there is a merit artistically to the project.
Whenever I’ve applied for an application the primary source material that I have supplied has been images of current work. When I was much younger I had a funny idea that I might take the images myself, which was just ridiculous. I would suggest to anyone unless you’re an extremely good photographer do not take images yourself.
When I first applied I found the process extremely daunting and I have to say that I’ve always found it daunting. You feel like you’re putting your work out there in front of peers. I’ve been very luck in that I’ve had mentors, and I think it’s very good if you can you show a mentor, someone who is a bit more experienced than you are, show them all the images, show them the order that you’re going to put the images in. I think all of those things help to build your confidence when you actually get to the day of submitting the application. I’ve done that every time I’ve applied for funding and it’s been really helpful.
I think it’s really important to talk to the Australia Council before you submit an application because you need that information and you need that feedback otherwise you’re sort of stabbing in the dark a bit.
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