February 07 – 08, 2024, 10 am – 12:30 pm
Many thanks to the writer Mitch Speed for his workshop BEFORE YOU APPLY: Learning to Write for Artists during the basic course within the Studio Program at BAI | Berlin Artist Residency, Art School, Arts Incubator, and Live Online Courses & Classes.
“Writing is a skill that’s developed over time and with much practice, especially the specific kind of writing required to write successful grant applications, and other creative support materials. Writing for grants involves more than just answering questions – it includes a specific way of thinking and writing about artists and their practices. Artists must strategize, plan, break down their ideas into clear processes, and then communicate all of this in writing according to the context.
In this introductory course, Mitch will address the first step in any grant application process – learning to write. Rather than focusing on answering specific grant application questions, Mitch will help you learn to organize and structure your ideas/art practice/projects into clear and concise narratives for grants, how to describe creative practices and projects, how to write persuasively and how to use specific writing styles in a grant application context. This course is relevant for visual artists, writers, and other creative professionals.
You will learn and have an opportunity to apply new writing strategies, gain peer and instructor feedback, and work independently and as a group. Workshop topics and delivery methods include introduction to writing structures and beginner techniques, guidance on writing styles and in-class exercises.” (Text by courtesy of Mitch Speed)
Day 1
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Introduction: Mitch will introduce himself, practice, and (grant) writing experience.
10:15 – 11:30 am
Mitch will begin with a presentation on beginning to write and overcoming common challenges. He will then lead participants in a group exercise using the ABC and Swift writing methods, designed to help participants begin writing on any topic.
11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Following a short break, Mitch will lead the group in a writing exercise(s) using selected graphic organizers, integrating ABC and Swift writing techniques. Participants will use the rest of the class to practice writing and ask questions.
Following the first day, participants will be asked to reflect on their creative practices and projects, and prepare to write about them in second half of the workshop.
Day 2
10:00 am – 10:30 am (approx.)
Answer any questions from the prior day’s workshop.
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Mitch will introduce two writing styles applicable to grant writing – expository and persuasive writing. He will present several examples of each using essays, fiction and other forms of writing. Mitch will then guide the group in a shared (collaborative) writing exercise using the persuasive writing style.
11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Participants will have the remaining class time to practice each style, independently, with guidance from Mitch.
Mitch Speed is a Berlin-based writer. In 2019 his study of Mark Leckey’s video artwork Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore (1999) was published by Afterall Books, as part of their One Work series. His book ‘Still Out of Time: Nostalgia, Art, and Us’ is forthcoming from Floating Opera Press. He’s writen criticism for Camera Austria, Frieze, Mousse, Momus, Border Crossings, Spike, e-flux, artforum, and others. A collection of his essays is also forthcoming from Brick Press.
More information on the Mitch Speed Website.
