Driving Lessons is an ongoing series of professional development workshops that prepares artists to succeed in their career and artistic practice through skill-building exercises with guest speakers and professionals. This spring's two-part workshop focuses on funding for artists, helping participants identify opportunities that match their goals and develop grant applications that clearly communicate purpose, budget, and outcomes.

The next installment of Driving Lessons will be late spring, 2026. Please find links to register for both classes below.

Starting with an abundance-centered mindset, the workshop led by artist, community organizer and grantmaker Cal Cullen, Wave Pool co-founder and Program Manager at the Haile Foundation, will explore ways to find and secure funding from foundations, state agencies, and national organizations, as well as to consider alternative ways of tapping into resources already present in your community. 

The online session, led by Wave Pool director Boris Oicherman, introduces an approach to drafting grant applications using AI as a writing partner. Grant writing is often the gap between having a vision and getting it onto the page in a funder's language, and this session offers a practical way to close that gap.

Thanks to the support from Elevar Fund, the workshops will be $15 each to cover catered snacks and a happy hour beverage for the in-person session at SWELL, and a month subscription to AI platform, Claude, for the online session.

Below you can find all the info and materials needed for the course. Past class videos will also be uploaded here in case you miss one or want to review.