Learning to Tell You Story

Telling Your Story

We are continuing to look at planning for your artistic future. Having a plan is important when asking others to support your goals.

You need to tell your story to your family and friends, to the people you work with, to other artists, to the NDIA, to funding bodies, on social media, to potential partners and to people who will help you fundraise. You need to tell the world.

How you tell your story will be different depending on who you are sharing your story with. The way you share you story with someone at the bus stop will be different to the way you tell it to the Ipswich City Council. To tell your story you don't need to remember everything, you can write it down or use pictures. The best way to tell your story is to do it your way. Funding bodies are open to you telling your story via video if you cannot fill out your paperwork. They want to hear your voice not the person helping you write the application.

Everyone needs help at some point in the process, everyone will be asked to supply a reference. Even the people you're asking the money from can get you started they can help you decide how best to tell your story to give you the best chance of success.  Things like your budget other people can write for you. But your story needs to come from you.

A good place to start is to tell people your name. . .

Hi my name is Joan and I am a visual artists living in Ipswich Queensland (if you're at the bus stop they might guess you live in Ipswich) So try . . . My name is Joan and I enjoy making pottery. Currently I doing some workshops at Turning Earth Ceramics, actually I have some photos on my phone would you like to see them. Or you might have a business card with you and ask them to like you on facebook.  You won't say that to everyone, but to some people you might.  This is your journey, this is about finding what's right for you.

You're not going to invite someone to an art exhibition if you're not having one. Some people just want general information others need you to be more specific. If you are asking the council for money, then they will ask you lots of questions, saying with your name.  If you want them to give you money then they want to know who you are, why you want the money, how much money you need,  and where else could you ask for money. You always need a plan B!

Who are you?

They will want to know where you live and how to contact you.

They might want to know about what type of art you make and want you to show them some pictures

They will want to know where and when you learnt to make art.  Sometimes it's ok to say I just started and got better. Sometimes they want people who went to art school.

They will want to know about competitions and work you have sold and where you have sold it.

Most of all they want to hear about your project and why it is important to you.