Fundraising can be a full-time occupation, so what can you do if you want to get more effective at applying for grants without it taking over your life?.

The question of what makes an artist 'professional' is often debated. While professionalism in relation to arts practice is a lot to do with attitude and approach, there are certain basic resources you can develop to operate in a professional manner and help you develop your career.

You might find it useful to join a studio group so as to build your network and put on a group show. Most studio groups have a notice board with opportunities, and members can pool their resources and put on group shows, taking advantage of each other's contacts and networks.

Artquest does not carry information on funding sources for Higher Education - BA, MA or PhD courses. . . .

Having an accurate, up-to-date, relevant CV is vitally important for visual artists and craftspeople, especially when applying for residencies, workshops, commissions or other opportunities.

For practitioners, what happens to their art after their death can be a significant issue. This section looks at some of the steps artists can take to plan for and protect the future of their artworks.

In all cases, refer to the individual application notes for guidance on what to send with your form or application.

A statement of your working practice and the interests you are exploring in your work is often useful in an application, if asked for.

Of course, it’s not all a one way street, and artists have responsibilities to act in a respectable and professional manner in their dealings with their galleries.

When writing a letter to ask for cash, gifts in kind or other forms of support, consider the following carefully: Think of a project that you want to do that a company might want to support.