Dear Artist,

Is my art really good enough?

Will the jury look at my exhibition history and think ‘This artist’s career isn’t mature enough yet to win a Guggenheim grant’?

And worst of all… what if I don’t get the grant and waste time and money?

These are the big questions we all ask ourselves as artists.

It’s so easy to underestimate ourselves and to undervalue the ideas and beauty we have the potential to give to the world.

The truth is, you do have a gift that other people can benefit from - a gift that the Guggenheim Foundation would be willing to support. 

It’s a tragedy that so many good artists out there scare themselves away from applying to a grant like this that could transform their careers.

The good news is that the Guggenheim Fellowship isn’t a “clique” you can only enter if you have a glorious exhibition history and glowing letters of recommendation from big names in the Art World.

Their entire mission is to “further the development of artists (...) by assisting them to engage in creation in any of the arts, under the freest possible conditions and irrespective of race, color or creed”.

In fact, I interviewed the President of the Guggenheim foundation and here is what he told me:

“We try to do our best selecting artists who win. We [the jury composed of previous winners] just look at the art and we pick what we like. That’s all we can do and we hope we get it right.”

Way too often, we listen to our insecurities and doubts, and never reach out for the support we need to nourish our art. It isn’t just you. In reality, everyone who sets out as an artist experiences these same insecurities.

Everyone wonders: Am I good enough? Will the jury be biased against my work? Is my work not trendy enough or in keeping with current favorites in the arts?

For example, one of my clients who wishes to remain anonymous won the Guggenheim grant on her fourth try; she had applied 3 times before, but did not get it. Another example is Marsia Alexander-Clarke, who had also applied to the grant before. 

When they came to me for help with their applications, they admitted that they sometimes thought it was futile or that it would never happen. It can be lonely for sure. But they each applied again regardless, and won the grant.

And you know what?

The biggest difference between those who win these grants and those who don’t is not inherent skill or ability -- the biggest difference is that even with these doubts and fears, successful artists choose to take action anyway. 

That’s what I want you to do.

You can also apply without my help. You have literally nothing to lose, and everything to win. It’s due on September 17th. 

If you want me to work with you one on one to help you with the grant and look closely at your art and your history to select the best images, as I did for the five previous winners, please reply to this email as soon as possible.

I work with a total of 10 artists on this on a first come first served basis and then it is closed.

Reply to this letter with your questions and I will tell you the fee structure. 

At the very least, should you decide to do this, you will have a powerful application that is finely edited with the right images so you can also increase your chances of winning other grants.

Sincerely,

Brainard Carey