Online | Publishing | Open-Genre | Seminar

2-Week Online Seminar: Writing Statements of Purpose & Applying for Grants & Residencies

Are you confused, embarrassed, or terrified about writing an artist’s statement? Are you unsure about how to apply for artists’ residencies, grants, or fellowships? Then this two day workshop is for you! We will learn how to write compelling and clear statements of purpose, and create strong applications for grants, fellowships, and artists’ residencies. Students will have the chance to brainstorm and create their own templates in class, get feedback on their personal statements, and feel confident in future forays in the wider literary world. We will also discuss tools for managing submissions as well as researching and accessing online writing resources.

Class meetings will be held over video chat, using Zoom accessed from your private class page. While you can use Zoom from your browser, we recommend downloading the desktop client so you have access to all platform features.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

- A solid statement of purpose that can be used as a template for future applications

- Becoming comfortable with researching and applying to a wide variety of grants and residencies

- 10% discount on all future Catapult classes

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

- Brainstorming and creating templates for individual statements

- Analyzing statements for strengths and weaknesses

- Writing, submitting, and revising an artist's statement or statement of purpose

- Researching and applying for different grants and residencies

- Creating and maintaining a system for tracking submissions

Abeer Hoque

Abeer Y. Hoque is a Nigerian-born Bangladeshi American writer and photographer. Her books include a photography monograph, The Long Way Home (2013), a linked story collection, The Lovers and the Leavers (2015), and a memoir, Olive Witch (2017). She has won fellowships from Fulbright, NEA, and NYFA, and her work has been published in Guernica, the Rumpus, Elle, ZYZZYVA and the Commonwealth Short Story Competition, among others. She has BS and MA degrees from the Wharton School, an MFA from the University of San Francisco, and she has held two solo photography exhibitions. More at olivewitch.com

Testimonials

"Abeer’s careful guidance and insightful feedback meant that I left this class encouraged and ready to take on the no longer daunting task of sharing myself and my work. The magic of this class is that it is useful for writers at all stages in their careers."

former Catapult student

"Abeer practices a very direct and effective approach to writing which can be summed up in her longstanding motto: “clarity first”. Her advice has transformed some of my work from convoluted structures and ideas into very succinct, well-formulated writing. One of the most beneficial aspects of her editorial guidance is that in reworking the pieces, I have emerged with much clearer understandings of my own thought processes. Once Abeer has entered into the process of editing, one can be assured that she will approach it with both honesty and the highest level of expertise."

C.G. BA History and African American Studies, Oberlin College; MA Anthropology of Media, University of London

"This course is an absolute must for any writer trying to make their way through the muddled landscape of residencies and funding. Abeer's critical eye helps writers get to the heart of what they want to say in a statement, and she offers practical guidance that is hard to find elsewhere. She is passionate and enthusiastic about new work, and her feedback to writers is invaluable. I learned a great deal in a very short period of time, and I wish I signed up sooner."

former Catapult student

"I got exactly what I came for in Abeer's class - concrete tools to construct a snapshot of myself and my project for a residency application. Abeer was warm and supportive, and provided helpful and constructive feedback. As a woman of color taking her class, her informed experience and thoughts were greatly appreciated."

former Catapult student

"I enrolled in Abeer's course because I wanted advice on how to craft a strong personal statement. I left not only with concrete advice and feedback on how to strengthen my personal statement, but also practical tips on the submission process overall. Most of all, I left feeling more confident about my ideas and my instincts. An absolute gift! "

former Catapult student

"Abeer's class packed in so much knowledge, while also helping me to get out of my head and get moving. This class gave me the kick and the confidence I was looking for to start regularly submitting."

former Catapult student

"I signed up for Abeer's class hoping to leave with a strong artist statement and bio--I ended up not just with a polished statement that clarified and fully captured my experience and artistic work, but also with newfound confidence in my ability to apply for grants and put my work out there. Abeer's warm and affirming approach, combined with her wealth of knowledge and experience, makes this class unique and valuable for writers and artists looking to take the next step in seeking grants and fellowships."

former Catapult student

"Abeer has a sharp eye, and a quick, incisive mind. She has the ability to get to the heart of what you’d like to say, clarify it for both you and your reader, and make it sound elegant. Abeer’s talent and intelligence make it look effortless, though we all know from our own experiences of trying to write a good, clear sentence that it is far from easy. She is a top-notch writer and editor, who can guide you through a project with grace, gentleness, and unrelenting rigour. Whatever you hand her, she’ll make it much, much better."

N.H. Editor and Writer, Vervago, Editor and Proofreader, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Ph.D. English, University of Montana

"Abeer’s Wharton background gives her a superb analytical eye, and her poetry and prose writing experience has made her a master of using language to convey emotion. With Abeer as your editor, you’ll have the best of both worlds. In an essay, every sentence counts, and Abeer will make sure you’re using your words to maximum effect, leaving a lasting impression on readers and setting you apart from other applicants."

S.K. author, BA English, University of Pennsylvania; JD Law, New York University; MFA Writing, University of Iowa; Fulbright Scholar

"Hoque is one of the most exciting writers working both in and out of the sub-continent and her fiction is made up of that rare mixture: searingly clean passion alloyed with the courage to take risks with form."

Ruchir Joshi on THE LOVERS AND THE LEAVERS