Let’s Propose! Writing Effective Art Proposals

Curious about how to get exhibitions, residencies or gigs as an artist? Let’s Propose! is a skill-building workshop is focussed on professional best practices and will hopefully provide aspiring and emerging artists with the means to formulate an effective answer to that question. By the end of this workshop each participant will have created a proposal tailored to a specific call out or opportunity that they have found and will also serve as a prototype for future proposals.

In this first half of the workshop participants will be guided through how to effectively find and identify art-based opportunities best suited for the artist and their individual practice. We will look at an extensive list of resources that can be accessed in the search for opportunities. During this section of the workshop we will look at what constitutes an artist statement, artist biography, CV and all the variations and differences therein. We will look at examples and discuss/critique our own. In addition we will look at specific examples of proposals and discuss strategies for how to best represent yourself and your practice throughout the application process alongside elements that are typical of the proposal process.

The second half of the workshop will involve the group honing their proposal materials in a group setting. Individuals can present materials they have so far for discussion and critique and/or simply follow along and glean what information they require. This will guide participants through best practices and the information needed to help you get a foothold in the professional art realm in Canada and beyond. Let’s get some shows and build some CVs!

Materials Required:

-It is recommended that participants come with their own laptop or tablet or whatever suits their workflow. Working on their materials with pen and paper is also okay.

-Participants are asked to come prepared with either an application they have started for an opportunity they are interested in OR an artist statement if they have one.

This workshop is facilitated by Steve deBruyn who holds a BFA from NSCAD University and an MFA from Western University as well as an Advanced Degree in Landscape Design from Fanshawe College. His practice is rooted in DIY processes, culture, and aesthetics and focusses on sculpture and site specific installation, mixing carpentry, painting, drawing, and fibre-based arts. His education and concurrent career as a landscape professional specializing in sustainable, participatory garden spaces informs his practice and affords a unique perspective to see many connections between the two disciplines and the possibilities that arise when they come into dialog with each other. Approaching projects with a responsive methodology, Steve works in a fluid and improvisational way that fosters improvisation, research and collaboration while also simplifying logistics, environmental impact, and encouraging broad accessibility and community engagement. So far in 2025 he has shown in London, Ontario, Ruse, Bulgaria, Bath, UK, and Reno, Nevada among other places.

Host or Publisher Forest City Gallery