CARVE YOUR PATH: How I Built My Presence as a Creator
Over the last four years, our culture has shifted towards independent endeavors in art and business. While best practices for starting a business are an accessible resource across the internet, it's challenging to capture that same resource for artistic endeavors.
Art is founded on individual expression and unconstrained creation. It's tough to streamline your way through a creative process, but there are vital logistics that every artist should entertain. This document shares what I've learned on my journey to turn art into a lifeline.
Ava [AVIE] M. Fields
Horror AdvocatE/Crime Trends Expert/CRYPANALYST/[Pop] Culture Survivalist/+ Poet
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RATES + SERVICES
PROJECT DESIGN
FIRST THINGS FIRST
WEBSITE + SOCIAL MEDIA
LOGISTICS
CONTACT ME!
SHAPING IDEAS
PROJECT BUDGET
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP+ OUTREACH
ACCESSIBILITY
BRANDING
FIRST THINGS FIRST
NO PRESSURE
This is your creation; as we know, good things take time. I spent at least a year building the details of my project before exposing it to the world. However, I know everyone is at a different point in the process. A year is not standard practice, just a personal experience.
STICK TO WHAT INTERESTS YOU
Don’t try and shape your idea around the expectation of others. It’s futile and can derail your process.
KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW
This is a crucial strategy! For example, Apt, Horror's survey was designed by me but had since been going through edits with a data consultant. This person has helped me curate questions, for both language and tone, as a way to ensure the questions will be practical. Know what you don't know, be bold, and ask for help.
STRETCH YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLES
What are you passionate about? What do you know about it? What inspires you? Asking these questions helps to frame ideas and pushes you to be clear and intentional with your work's message.
One exercise that worked well for me was the '10 times exercise. The best way to develop creative ideas is to imagine any angles– let your mind wander. For example, I wrote ten ideas for my community project every day for ten days. This process was crucial in deciding the following steps and future outcomes.
TRUST YOURSELF
When I first started this journey, I was terrified. At least once a day, I would tell myself that no one will get this, want this, or support this. It's normal to feel this way when communicating something you are passionate about but never surrender to the constraints others wish on you. You know your idea best; you can trust yourself.
ACCEPT SUPPORT
SHAPING IDEAS
IDENTIFY YOUR INDUSTRY
When asked about my industry, I say Public Service and Arts+ Culture. You can view an industry list compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to find your place. The clear you are on how your project operations, the easier it will be when you’re seeking sponsorship, funding, or partnerships.
IDENTIFY (+ COMMIT) TO THE WHY
Building a cohesive idea is imperative, whether a business, non-profit, or independent creation. Think about a problem you want to solve or an area of interest you'd like to expand upon. Remember, this is your idea–you frame it as you like.
PROJECT DESIGN
SAMPLE QUESTION FOR BRAINSTORMING:
+One Line Project Description (25 words or less)
+Project Description (250 words or less)
+How does your project take an original and imaginative approach to content and form? Please be as specific as possible. (150 words or less)
+Please put your work in context so we can better evaluate it. What are the main influences on your work as an artist? How does your past work inform your current project? Please use concrete examples, which may include other artists’ work, art movements, cultural heritage, science, philosophy, study/work from outside the arts field, etc. (150 words or less)
DEVELOP AN IDEA
Taking your idea from thought to 'paper,' to execution is your first important step. Once you have a firm grasp on your concept, how it will function, and where the possibilities are endless, while this can feel overwhelming, remember you're creating something from scratch. More importantly, remember you're in control every step of the way.
How does one start this process? Below is a list of grant app questions I've found helpful in developing my work.
+What kind of impact—artistic, intellectual, communal, civic, social, political, environmental— do you hope your project will have? What strategies will you employ to achieve the desired impact? (100 words or less)
+Who are the specific audiences/communities you hope to engage through this project? Please think beyond the broader art community where possible. How are you hoping to reach them? (100 words or less)
PROJECT DESIGN
There’s a comprehensive resource on executing your project design that surrounds the bases on a macro scale. These areas of importance include:
+Define Project Goals
+Determine outcomes
+Identify Risks and Constraints (+ create a contingency plan)
+Refine your project strategy
+Estimate your project budget
To the right is a diagram that details the cycle of project design. To gain more detail, please look at the article to the right on Project Design for any Industry.
SAMPLE PROJECT OUTLINE: APT, HORROR
THE HORROR ADVOCATE INTRO VIDEO
Learn about me and my work in less than 2 mins!!
PROJECT BUDGET
Creative Capital has excellent resources for constructing an "Itemized Project Budget" (1 page). A budget must include two sections: income and expenses. As you can see from the budget sample, income should equal (or exceed) costs. Designate any un-raised funds as "to be raised."
BE FAIR
Paying those who contribute or work directly for my projects is something I take very seriously. Fees for independent artists/freelancers/creators are designed in the spirit of equity and fair practice. Knowing what it's like to be a freelance artist, my payment structure reflects freelancers' specific needs and circumstances.
RATES + SERVICES
SET BOUNDARIES
BE CLEAR
PAY YOURSELF!
FEEDBACK ON MY RATES as of JUNE 2022
UPDATED BRANDING (2023)
With branding, the key is to be clear, consistent, communicative, and organized. As I've worked to develop my creative projects, I've committed to the themes of 'community' and empathy. I use target language and phrasing such as Advocacy, Reframing, Catharsis, and Subversion. These choices send a direct message to those who encounter my work.
In addition to language, there are other details to asses as part of your branding/style guide, including:
Color pallets, Logo and Logo guide, Typography, Voice/Writing style, Image, and photography guidelines. Brand Ethos, Brand consistency. I'd appreciate it if you could look into this resource and learn how to define your brand identity. You can also view this template for ideas.
LOGOS
REC Zombie
The Horror Advocate
Apt, Horror
[POP] CULT SURVIVALIST
INSPIRED BY: FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)
BRANDING(CONT.)
INSPIRED BY: IT (1990), HALLOWEEN (1978), TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974), FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980), + NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST (1984)
INSPIRED BY: 13 Ghosts (2001)
INSPIRED BY: KILL LIST (2015)
INSPIRED BY: BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999)
INSPIRED BY: HALLOWEEN 6: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS (1995)
BRANDING(CONT.)
BRANDING(CONT.)
BRANDING(CONT.)
BRANDING(CONT.)
AWARDS + ACCOLADES
AWARDS,ACCOLADES,+ APPEarences
ENDORSEMENT(s) + PROMO MATERIAL
HORDE HORROR HALLLOWEEN (TWITTER)
MISKATONIC INSTITUTE OF HORROE STUDIES
BWOC NEWSLETTER (JULY 2022)
ENDORSEMENT(s) + PROMO MATERIAL
HORROR HUNTS 2022
SAMPLE CONTENT
EXAMPLE SLOGAN
WEBSITE + SOCIAL MEDIA
Having my website has been vital in gaining recognition. I suggest: Milkshake
Pros:
Easy to use, style options are current, no need for website administrative capabilities or knowledge. It functions as a social media page. $3/mo.
Cons:
‘website builder’ appears when you post to a social media page. See the example below.
SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE(S)
One social media platform may work better depending on the project and subject. For me, Twitter has been beneficial, but not Instagram. I also suggest separating your social media from your creative idea/business. Social media is an instant networking opportunity– so consistency and focus on the subject area are critical.
EX: SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE/BRANDING
EX: ANALYTICS FROM TWITTER
LOGISTICS
SET YOUR STATUS
Take a moment to imagine your idea in the execution phase. What type of structure do you need for that to be feasible? This is where you decide if your idea is a business, a non-profit, or a community program. This list is not exhaustive.
DEFINE YOUR ENTITY TYPE
Look into the city, state, and federal guidelines around Entity Type and the state you plan to operate in. Look at the 2023 IRS Federal Tax ID application for further details.
Vendor ID. As a sole proprietor working in Boston, many grant programs/opportunities insist you secure a vendor ID with the city. This is free of charge. I can’t speak to other state guidelines, so checking those details is vital.
ACCESSIBILITY
In my experience with accessibility standards, the primary concerns have been language interpretation, closed captions, and color pallets.
Spanish - Español, Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen, Traditional Chinese
Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt, Simplified Chinese, Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Russian -Русский, Somali - Af Soomaali, ASL interpreter.
Visual support includes but is not limited to Closed captions.
Quiet room: a quiet room is an exercise in emotional/mental health accessibility standards when using zoom breakout rooms. Only some can be social and articulate in front of others. This zoom room allows everyone's needs to be met without falling into patterns of exclusion.
An article on the basics of Accessibility can help you grasp where the virtual industry is right now. I'm always happy to share more or talk about anecdotal examples.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP+ OUTREACH
Push Past Your Fears
Fiscal Sponsorship
Networking and outreach were the biggest challenges for me during this process. I love to work on the details and logistics of a project but tend to shy away from being the ‘face’ or ‘voice’ of a project.
You can look to your community for ways to network. For example, When launching my project, I spent a week researching social media and the broader internet for organizations, collectives, membership organizations, local/city offices, podcasts, digital magazines, and conferences related to my subject areas of Horror, Community, and Equity. From there, I gathered a list and began to think of how to expand those relationships to keep the project current, in the loop, and promote your work to a curated audience.
What is a ‘fiscal sponsorship,’ and do I need one?
You can use the link to get more details on logistics, fiscal sponsorship models, and how to find a fiscal sponsor.
The Horror Advocate won the Awesome Foundation Award in MAY 2021. This funding got my project off the ground
Use the link to explore each category.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DATABASES
A searchable database of all grant opportunities offered by Federal Agencies
FEBRUARY 2023
RESOURCES
+ Updated opportunities for funding: Submissions/Contests, Scholarships, Classes/Training, Fellowships, and Cohorts
+ Trauma Donations (an annual collection of stories and first-hand accounts that acknowledge the power of healing out loud so others can recover)
+ Pen and Swords Creative Newsletter
+ Indie Equity Resource List
EVENTS/COMMUNITY INTERACTION
+ The rise of BIPOC and post 9/11 horror: black horror survivors, the LL Cool J fever dream, and the bodies we left behind [interactive movie challenge]
+ (Not) as seen on tv: mental health, the trauma to prison pipeline, and the decade of the gun [apt, horrors first live event]
POTENTIAL/BIG PICTURE ITEMS
+Conference Planning
+Film Festival Coordination
+Episodic Content
COMMUNITY DATA PROJECTS
+ [Pop] Cult Survivalist's 1st Quarterly Report
+ Apt Horror's Official Survey Launch
+ Rec Zombie's Official Archive Release
Feel like talking? want to know more? Use my contact info below to get in touch
Long live horror,
Avie
THEHORRORADVOCATE@gmail.com
NAME RULES
Professional Credits: Ava M. Fields
Introducing me: Ava or Avie
Casual communications + Zoom meetings: Ava or Avie
Boston, MA
@ahorroradvocate
How do you Pronounce Ava? (see the Australian pronunciation)