This message goes out to all women executive decision-makers of artistic and creative projects, dreams, and businesses. Particularly, when seeking grants or funding, it is crucial to ask for money confidently. Equate your ideas to a budget—this is essentially a financial framework for your abstract-to-concrete concepts. Finances provide a structure for what you aim to do with your ideas.
Having a financial budget indicates that you can account for every penny you request through funding or grants. This ensures that your project not only makes financial sense but also eventually makes logical sense. A fun idea alone isn’t sufficient. For events, projects, exhibitions, acceleration programmes, or any initiatives you might have for your business, startup, or agency, translating ideas into financial terms is vital. Sustainability of these endeavours hinges on money.
Financial management is often perceived as male-dominated—handling large budgets, risks, and cost analyses are seen as male-centric activities. However, incorporating financial acumen into your business is essential. Think in terms of cost, expected return, and timeframes. If you aim to scale from one stage to the next, understand the financial implications. Look for ways to make processes more efficient and effective with a solid budget supporting your mission, values, and creative power.
This message is not for hobbyists. If you’re pursuing this professionally—be it part-time or full-time—you need this perspective. Your grant applications and funding pitches will be scrutinised for market understanding, purpose, and financial turnover. Be prepared to justify every financial request with concrete numbers. Money should not be feared. It’s not the money itself, but the energy it brings that might seem intimidating.
Female proficiency in financial planning and budgeting is crucial for sustainability in creative industries. Understand that building a solid financial framework is part of your professional journey.
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