Call for Applications - Finnis Scott Foundation Botanical Art Award

The Finnis Scott Foundation has announced a Call for Applications for its NEW Botanical Art Award worth £10,000 for organisations involved with botanical art.

A number of leading people in the botanical art world have been helping to get the award set up. Applications will judged by a sub-committee of experts with knowledge of botanical art.

Below is a briefing about this brand new award. [Please note minor modifications have been made since this was first posted as matters have been clarified]

This is a very long post so there's a READ MORE break inserted - so make sure you click READ MORE to read the complete post.

The Finnis Scott Foundation Botanical Art Award (£10,000)

I've been asked by Charlotte Brooks, the Botanical Art Award Secretary, to help promote this award - which I'm very happy to do.

Below I've tried to do my usual review of the terms and conditions for a "call for entries" and have created a digest, highlighting key facts and making some suggestions.

Any queries need to be addressed by emailing the Secretary: [email protected]

What is the Botanical Art Award?

The Finnis Scott Foundation is offering a NEW biennial award (every two years) valued at up to £10,000, to support and promote the practice of botanical painting.

The aim of the Award is that it should enable established botanical art groups to:

• either extend their current practice
• and/or create something new and exciting to do with botanical art.

It's important to note that it's expected that the funding from the Award will last for no longer than two years - hence if any project is to have a longer life it will need to secure recurrent funding from other sources before or during the project.

Suitable Projects

The award will fund

discrete projects that promote and encourage the practice and appreciation of botanical painting.

It enables dedicated botanical art societies and similar groups to apply for funding to develop projects they wouldn’t otherwise be able to carry out.

It encourages botanical artists, who often work alone, to collaborate and co-operate with other botanical artists  with a view to promoting the practice of botanical art and and creating and outcome for those who appreciate it.

It recognises the contribution of those who have already helped raise the profile of botanical art and now want to further extend their reach to new audiences by enabling them to carrying out something 'extra-ordinary' (i.e. not just business as usual)

Obviously the nature of the project is up to individual groups to decide.

Projects might involve develop educational and creative opportunities e.g. developing

• development of a new exhibition,
• creation of study workshops or
• a publication that will help raise the profile of botanical art.

The judges are looking to reward fresh ideas, original projects and new ways of working.

My thoughts, for what they are worth - in terms of what I think are "gaps" in botanical art activities in the UK - is that a project might be

• an event focused on botanical art for the benefit of botanical artists (e.g. an educational conference/symposium)
  
• development of a new sustainability focused Flora - in liaison with relevant botanists/botany groups
• a non-garden based Florilegium e.g. one based on native plants found in specific habitats in the UK - with the aim that this should develop over time and attract future sponsorship through the use of the Award for initial output and as seed funding.

Next - the application process (who/what/how/when)!

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are UK and Ireland based botanical art groups and organisations, not individuals. For example, those who can apply include:

• Regional and national botanical art societies,
• Florilegium groups,
• independent courses,
• affiliated groups and other community organisations associated with teaching or promoting botanical art.

Preference will be given to independent organisations and charities.

In order to apply, the Fund needs to be confident that funds are going to a group that is properly constituted and can make good use of them and that both process and money will be well managed. They want to see evidence that persuades them that this is the case. (see VETTING process below)

The Foundation has been making grants available for some time and you can see the very impressive list of the organisations who have previously been helped by the Trust on Who We've Helped

What's the process for applying for an award?

First you need to download and read the Botanical Art Award Application GUIDELINES

You have to complete an online form. However you need to be prepared before you start to complete it.

The guidelines indicate that the person acting as the main contact and completing the form has a very good understanding of every aspect of the organisation and the project scope and delivery.  Bottom line I read that as meaning they want one person who can competently answer any questions the Trustees may have.


The application form requires details of:

Organisation

• formal status of the organisation and defined objectives
• names of officers

Project

• the project's purpose
• how the project aligns to and furthers the organisation's objectives
• who will benefit
• a project plan
• start date and duration of project (with completion within two years of the date of the award)
• total cost of project

Performance measurement

• how the success of the project will be measured (outputs and outcomes)

Speaking as somebody who has managed, analysed and assessed many applications for grants and awards, my advice in relation to any application is that you should:

• Be informative, be very factual, precise and  Make every word count
  
• Be completely on top of your numbers and make them as accurate as you can
  
• Have a very good project plan and a tried and tested project manager
  
• Test your timings rigorously
  
• Understand the difference between inputs, outputs and outcomes when it comes to measuring the performance and success of the project - and how these are best measured and validated.
  

The Vetting Process

In making an application, a group needs to be able to provide evidence (via submission of up to four four PDF documents) of:

• a previous project that succeeded in promoting botanical art,
• associated documentation i.e. project brief, budget allocation, project planning and delivery,
• evidence of audience engagement
• relevant photographs or images to support an application.

Timeline

The deadline for applications for the inaugural award is 31 January 2018.

When will we know the results?

• Spring 2018: A short-list of potential candidates will be confirmed.
• Award announcement: August 2018 - at a reception party to be held at Boughton House, Northamptonshire, the former home of Lady Scott and Sir David Scott.

This says to me that, in practical terms, any project reliant on funding from the Botanical At Award should not have a start date before September 2018.

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About the Finnis Scott Foundation

Valerie Finnis was a celebrated gardener and photographer, who shared her twin passions of horticulture and art with her husband, Sir David Scott.

The couple owned and enjoyed a significant art collection, which on Valerie’s death and in accordance with her wishes, was sold to create a charitable fund.

Since 2008, the Finnis Scott Foundation has helped to fund hundreds of projects relating to gardening, art and plant sciences.