A workshop in how to develop your project idea or business concept into

a viable, sustainable opportunity

Learn how to scope your idea, plan logistics, budget and promote it, funding options, case studies, grant

writing and using the internet for research

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Community groups that have a project idea, grant writers, project managers, arts practitioners, cultural workers, community and committee members, artists and project administrators, micro business and event organisers.

TIMEFRAME:

• Introduction overview – 1.5 hours

• Each unit = 1 day for 2 days

• Can be divided into 6 modules delivered at different times

Ideally delivered over two consecutive days with opportunity for individual meetings to discuss project specifics an extra day either side.

 

OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOP

This workshop series is designed to support people to develop a project scoping document based on the five basic elements that all projects contain. This information can then be applied to grant applications, marketing material and reports.

WORKSHOP FORMAT is to have interviews with groups and individual participants to clarify what their project concepts are. All participants are encouraged to complete three basic questions about their project or idea, prior to coming to workshop. This allows for participants to have a moment to consider what the purpose of coming to the workshop is for and to communicate the project elements to an objective person.

Over the two days the workshop covers all of the basics of project planning and grant writing. It is important to factor in follow up opportunities for their draft applications or business plans can be reviewed and support the participants to progress their applications to the next stage. This can be done in person, via email, phone or skype.

The process of grant writing is used to guide people through project planning. This style of workshop encourages people to progress their own funding applications to the next stage and is therefore a more sustainable approach to grant writing. Filling in the forms is only one aspect of completing an application. Funding is only one revenue source.

Workshop One “Seed your idea” is about empowering participants to find the information and resources required for good project planning. We discuss the key elements that are generic for any idea and form a basis for project planning and developing proposals. We look at criteria, policy and guidelines for funding, composing project goals and objectives and utilising research tools to expand concepts and develop business case. We start the process of describing the project and who are stakeholders.

One of the modules is “Google Everything” a dynamic, interactive workshop where we discover the internet and how new technology is available freely and accessible to people with varying skill levels. We search for case studies to inspire, resources and links that can support people in their project development, grants, funding opportunities, awards and exhibition opportunities. “Google Everything” is an engaging workshop equally interesting to young people as for older people, those that may never have found the internet or computers easy to use, through to the most experienced.

Workshop Two “Grow your idea” focuses on developing your project concept further, finding the appropriate funding agency and grants to resource it and then looking at the skills and tasks required to complete a grant. Specific grant applications (tailored to your participants) are used as an example and participants are exposed to other grant forms to see that the information is transferable into other grant formats. We look at budgeting, monitoring and reporting requirements and some easy ways to do this.

 

PRESENTER / FACILITATOR Melissa Robertson

Email: Melissa_r@y7mail.com Phone: 0412 570 701

Over the past 20 years Melissa Robertson has worked within government, education, business and community environs. This has involved policy and procedure development, logistics, risk assessment and compliance, governance and transparency working with committees, boards, university and bureaucracy. Also managing many arts based projects, festivals and events through a deep understanding and application of community cultural development principals. Extensive working knowledge of all aspects of business management from office procedures, computer programs, in-house publishing, human resource management both employed and volunteer, grant applications and project development from initial concept through to the final outcome. Melissa has trained in formal, informal, accredited and non-accredited context and relishes the opportunity to mentor and nurture arts workers and practitioners in all aspects of arts business practices. Currently providing online training and resources, creating social media networks, and facilitating capacity building through mentoring relationships from individual, work teams or group facilitation. Since the internet became the new vehicle for communication with the broader community and advantageous for the online promotions and marketing for the arts and cultural industries, Melissa has embraced this technology and the opportunity it brings to strategically construct a system of best practice for effective online marketing using the secrets of the internet to assist the arts industry to strategically market themselves online.

Melissa has a complete understanding and respect for our Indigenous cultures and protocols and her friendly communication skills in liaising with peoples of all cultures and abilities to enhance and boost their opportunities in the marketplace and social environments. Her personal kinship and connection to country is Ngarrindjeri from Murray Bridge, South Australia through association with her son's grandmother and the many years she has lived and worked on Country. Melissa has had many privileged insights to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait heritage by working with, mentoring and training community and as a researcher on various historical plays retracing some of the great people that have had real impact on our lives such as David Unaipon and Lanky Kana.

With 2 decades of experience in project management and funding, Melissa will reveal secrets of professional grant writers. Above all participants will be imparted with the understanding that grant writing is not a chore but a great planning tool to ensure a project is successful. Melissa believes that social cohesion and inclusive processes are crucial for a vibrant community and livable town.