Arts in Orange offers grant writing workshop

Spring Valley — Arts in Orange will offer “Grant Writing Essentials for Artists & Arts Organizations,” at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, at the offices of the Arts Council of Rockland at 7 Perlman Drive in Spring Valley. The workshop will be presented in collaboration with the Arts Council of Rockland. Waddy Thompson, director of external affairs for Opera America, the national service organization for opera companies and opera professionals, will be the presenter. Grant writing allows artists and non-profit organizations to gain access to the money distributed each year by the government, private and corporate foundations. In addition to building and strengthening grant writing skills, this workshop will cover topics such as: determining who can receive a grant and for what; finding government, corporate and foundation donors; attracting the donor’s attention; creating a budget; writing a compelling proposal; and soliciting feedback, overcoming obstacles. Thompson is responsible for Opera America’s membership, fundraising, and communications activities. His 20-plus year career in the arts has included fundraising and administrative positions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York Foundation for the Arts, American Music Center, Second Stage Theatre, and Poets & Writers. He has served on the boards of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association (as president from 1997-98) and Encompass Music Theatre. His academic training included a doctorate in music composition. He is the author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Grant Writing” by Alpha Books in 2004, and is frequent lecturer on fundraising and marketing. Admission to the workshop is free for members of Arts in Orange and the Arts Council of Rockland. Non-members may join and attend for free, or pay a $20 workshop fee. For more information, call 956-0005, or write to info@artsinorange.org and write “Grant Writing Workshop” in the subject line.