During one of the student forums, I learnt of the possibility of applying for funding through the college to help support aspects of final submissions. In November 2021 I started to investigate the process and downloaded the application form. As part of this process I needed to decide how the funds would be spent and to highlight the inclusion of the collaborative pieces in my project and the final submissions.
The form was relatively straight forward and this was completed and submitted by the end of November. I made the assumption that I was applying on behalf of myself and the other two students that would be collaborating with me. This assumption turned out to be incorrect as each student needed to complete their own form and submit at the same time. Once this was communicated to me, I was able to inform the others and the forms were completed and issued.
The review process by the college did not take long and by the middle of December confirmation was received that all three of us would receive funding. I was expecting to divide the £150 between us but we each received the full amount. Taking into account the exchange rate at the time this resulted in $265.
The initial purpose of applying for the grant was to support the final production of the book which was envisaged to be just eight copies – one for each of the women who took part in the project. As I progressed the designs and then started working with the printer it was considerably cheaper to print a larger number of copies and try to sell the extras via social media and at the exhibition than to just produce eight copies.
The final cost for the 50 copies was $1,937 and so the $265 was just a small but valuable contribution to the overall cost.
Cost breakdown:
Cost of production -$1,937.00
Grant $265.00
Copies sold 3@$75 $225.00
Copies sold 24@$50 $1,200
Total -$247.00
Currently I still have fifteen copies to sell which should address the current deficit. I have continued to advertise these as being available and have also submit them as part of the NZ Photo Forum and a Women in Photography Exhibition which will be held in April 2023.
Michele Usher 