Cleaning the house a bit more: Shared responsibility

I’d like to pick up on this last sentence of yours Theaster, which I think is gets to the heart of the problem of building good relationships between granters and grantees. The granter is part of an institution, a formal structure, and he or she can sometimes get lost or hide behind that façade of deadlines, and application requirements. It is the same for individuals dealing with other kinds of often Kafkaesque seeming institutions. Courts, banks, schools.

While I can’t speak for others, I know of myself and my colleagues that we are continually working on breaking down that false impression. Granting organizations are first of all run by people. I am always emphasizing that I am a person–just like you. That I am giving you a deadline not because this is how the system is set up but because I have a deadline I need to hold myself.

The relationship that needs to be built is between people.

And building this relationship is the responsibility of both the granter and grantee. Both sides have to act with respect and openness towards one another, just as in any interaction between people. Setting aside a closer look at the underlying power dynamics for later in the evening, this is the most important issue for both sides to remember, as much for the granter as for the grantee, applicant, and the person that didn’t get the grant. While it is often discussed (by granters and grantees) that granters need to be more open, transparent, respectful, I think the other part of the equation is often not voiced. Artists too need to be open and respectful. In order to have a more relaxed, fruitful relationship, both sides have to be able to relate to each other, understand what their concerns and priorities are.