The Directory of Grants for Crafts
by James Dillehay
Warm Snow Publishers, NM, 2000.
Softcover, b/w, 6" x 9", 216 pages, $19.95.

Reviewed by Sharon Bateman

This is not the kind of book you would want to curl up with on a rainy afternoon. It is distinctly business oriented, concise, and to the point. At times, it covers so much information in so few words that you have to read it twice. It is, however, worth the effort — for those of us who live in the creative side of the brain. Financing our work is something that artists often find intimidating. There are not too many who would ever think of grants, let alone how to approach getting one.

This seems to be a well thought out plan of “where to start” in the process of presenting and funding any art form. For so many artists wanting to make our “work” our job, following the steps outlined in this book would be a good way to develop skills needed to do just that.

It appears to explain the basics of whom to contact, preparing acceptable proposals, and doing research. It supplies many addresses of foundations offering grants to begin with, but also explains where and how to find others. It seems to simplify an intimidating subject for the career artist. Even if you were not looking for grants, it seems an effective way to organize, even analyze, your goals for what you want in the future. Just reading it once will help clarify where you want to take your work, and make the business end of art seem something manageable.

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Sharon Bateman has been a freelance artist since 1983, working in fashion and jewelry design as well as sculpting and fiber arts, and is the inventor of Sharondipity’s Tube Loom. She gives workshops frequently and has written media reviews and Step by Step projects for Lapidary Journal in the past.

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