SERVICES

“Su-Ying advised me on my application to the Canada Council for the Arts, Microgrant. She reviewed my narrative and offered strategic feedback that helped make the writing more cohesive and clear, allowing my ideas to come through more effectively. She was able to identify blind spots and pinpoint what was missing, which happens to me a lot after staring at the same text for too long! After our coaching session, I not only felt that I had a stronger grant application, but also gained greater clarity about my own concepts through Su-Ying’s thoughtful encouragement and critiques.”

-Qian Cheng, artist

Grant Writing Coaching For Individuals

I am available to coach you on grant writing, whether it’s an exploratory discussion familiarizing you with how to approach a grant or reviewing your application. Grant writing coaching may include:

  • Discussions on how to approach/begin grants

  • Review of your narrative (answers to the questions funders ask in their application)

  • How to effectively write your narrative so that it communicates clearly and compellingly

  • Review of your support materials such as budget, images and writing samples

  • Review of revisions

  • How we approach this together will be based on our discussions and your needs!
    Please note: coaching does not guarantee that you will be awarded a grant. Coaching is a learning opportunity. Critiquing your artwork is not part of coaching.

RECORD OF SUCCESS
I have consistently received grants since 2004. View my CV for a list of awards. I have written grants for organizations as an internal team-member and have also been contracted to write grants for the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at the University of Toronto, Canadian Art Foundation and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The grants written for these three organizations were successful.

I have worked with galleries and service organizations to mentor emerging arts workers, curators and artists since 2021 and understand how valuable a perspective informed by experience can be.

RATES:
Initial review $135 + HST for up to 3 hours
55/hour + HST following

Contact me to discuss your project: contact.suying.lee@gmail.com
Please write “Grant coaching” in the subject line.

Grant Writing For Organizations

I have written grants as an internal member of the Kamias Triennial, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and the Art Gallery of Mississauga. I have been contracted as a grant writer and sucessfully had grants awarded to the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery, Canadian Art Foundation and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

I have experience applying to arts and other funding on a local, provincial and national level in Canada; as well as, Canadian and American Foundations. I have received grants for my independent curatorial work since 2004.

Process:
Before my contracted hours begin, you’ll tell me about the grant you’re applying for and about your organization. Together we will discuss a timeline, agreed upon tasks, rate for service and payment schedule.

Once my contract begins, I will get to know your organization more in-depth. This might involve meeting with key staff about their activities. This helps me form a strong narrative that conveys your organization’s particular qualities.

Once the narrative is completed, you’ll submit the application. You’ll assemble your budget and support materials. I can advise on those items as needed.

Other ways an external grant writer can benefit your organization:
Grant writing by an external person can provide perspective. When you are occupied with the day-to-day tasks of operating your organization, there may be aspects of your work that you’ve lost sight of. Having someone ask critical questions can help you crystallize or re-visit your organization's goals and drivers to convey your work cohesively and renew your energy.

RATES: Dependant on the scope and scale of the project.

Contact me to discuss your project: contact.suying.lee@gmail.com
Please write “Grant writing for (name of your organization)” in the subject line.