20 Apr Steve Winter announces KSF Artists of Choice
Steve Winter is the Executive Director of the Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF) with almost twenty years of experience in discovering and developing emerging artists. He talks to KSF Project Manager Laura Humphrey about the latest way in which the Foundation is looking to support emerging artists through the KSF Artists of Choice grants giving scheme.
LH: Why have you spent so much of your career working with emerging artists?
SW: Because I remember what it was like to begin in an industry that is competitive and that, with the best will in the world, doesn’t always have the support systems in place that you need to succeed. There’s nothing more joyful to me than discovering an artist with raw talent and watching them develop.
‘Emerging’ is a very broad a term. How would you define it?
For me emerging does not equal young. It’s someone of any age who has yet to be commercially successful and is therefore without a track record and profile and is not earning a living purely from being an artist.
What are The Kevin Spacey Foundation Artists of Choice grants?
Since 2014 KSF have supported sixty-five transatlantic projects across dance, film, theatre and music ranging from £500/$500 to £2,500/$2,500 per project. As fulfilling as that has been, I’m eager to support those we fund more closely.
And so this year the KSF Artists of Choice grants will offer more financial support to fewer projects, meaning the amount of money on offer is potentially project-changing at the £10,000/$10,000 level, plus each is supported by myself and an industry mentor. Essentially it’s about forming a closer connection to KSF, making industry contacts and fostering peer-to-peer support with other grant winners.
What sort of artists and projects is KSF looking for then?
We’re looking to support a choir or band, both of which can be existing or new and of any style of music; a play or a theatre company; a film; a musical and a dance piece. All of these can be at any stage of development but meet a demonstrable need for funds and be based either in the US or UK.
Do you have any advice for someone who was thinking of applying but who wasn’t sure if their project is right for KSF Artists of Choice?
First take a look at the ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ on our website. But essentially we’re open to anything if you feel like you have something exciting to offer. There’s no hard and fast rule, but we want you to prove that receiving this grant would radically move you forward.
Do you have any words of advice to those applying?
We trust you creatively. When it comes to writing the application it’s the other stuff we’re interested in, such as who you already have in your corner, how big your social media presence is and how clear you are about where you want to get to, and be mindful of the second stage of the application process.
What’s the second stage of the application process?
A panel, including myself, will meet shortlisted applicants and, if already in place their core creative team face to face. You should have an elevator pitch where you can explain your project really succinctly and clearly and be able to offer a creative ‘snapshot’ - a brief performance, reading, song or whatever best demonstrates the potential of the piece.
And is there any further advice you can give about that second stage?
Be prepared. If you’re not good with budgets go and find someone who is. If you’re not sure about marketing get a friend to mock something up. Just be ready creatively and organizationally.
What impact do you hope that being selected, as a KSF Artist of Choice will have on the recipients?
I hope that by mentoring and raising the profile of our grant winners they will begin to find their voice in a crowded industry. We also hope to align ourselves with artistic excellence so we that we can showcase that work at various events and online and really inspire people to get behind our KSF Artists of Choice. I’m really excited to see great ideas and new projects grow with our support.
KSF Artists of Choice applications are open from 1 - 29 May. You can find out more and apply here. Please note that you will not be able to fill in an application until 1 May.