online, 8 students max

Are you confused, embarrassed, or terrified about writing an artist’s statement? Are you unsure about how to apply for artists’ residencies, grants, or fellowships? Then this two-day workshop is for you! We will learn how to write compelling and clear statements of purpose, and create strong applications for grants, fellowships, and artists’ residencies. Students will have the chance to brainstorm and create their own templates in class, get feedback on their personal statements, and feel confident in future forays in the wider literary world. We will also discuss tools for managing submissions as well as researching and accessing online writing resources.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

- A solid statement of purpose that can be used as a template for future applications

- Becoming comfortable with researching and applying to a wide variety of grants and residencies

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

- Brainstorming and creating templates for individual statements

- Analyzing statements for strengths and weaknesses

- Writing, submitting, and revising an artist's statement or statement of purpose

- Practice giving and receiving feedback on bios and project proposals

- Researching and applying for different grants and residencies

- Creating and maintaining a system for submitting and tracking

About the Instructor

Abeer Hoque is a Nigerian-born Bangladeshi American writer and photographer. She likes street food, toe rings, and asking all the questions. Her books include a coffee table book (The Long Way Home, 2013), a linked collection of stories, poems, and photographs (The Lovers and the Leavers, 2015), and a memoir (Olive Witch, 2017). She has won fellowships from the NEA, Queens Council on the Arts, NYFA, and the Fulbright Foundation, and holds BS and MA degrees from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and an MFA in writing from the University of San Francisco. See more at olivewitch.com.

Student Testimonials

"I loved Abeer’s workshop! It helped me see my memoir project with fresh eyes and get closer to identifying and expressing what I want to accomplish. Moreover, it was extremely productive. Rather than just tell the class how to write a personal statement and leave us on our own, she had us produce one and provide each other valuable feedback. I appreciated her thoughtfulness, and that of the other students as well. I highly recommend this class." -- former student

"Abeer’s careful guidance and insightful feedback meant that I left this class encouraged and ready to take on the no longer daunting task of sharing myself and my work. The magic of this class is that it is useful for writers at all stages in their careers." — former student

"This course is an absolute must for any writer trying to make their way through the muddled landscape of residencies and funding. Abeer's critical eye helps writers get to the heart of what they want to say in a statement, and she offers practical guidance that is hard to find elsewhere. She is passionate and enthusiastic about new work, and her feedback to writers is invaluable. I learned a great deal in a very short period of time, and I wish I signed up sooner." — former student

"I got exactly what I came for in Abeer's class - concrete tools to construct a snapshot of myself and my project for a residency application. Abeer was warm and supportive, and provided helpful and constructive feedback. As a woman of color taking her class, her informed experience and thoughts were greatly appreciated." — former student

Writing Personal Statements & Applying to Grants, 2 sessions with Abeer Hoque