Working with Lara on my DYCP grant application has been fantastic. Over two/three weeks we took the application from an initial idea into something that felt truly authentic to myself and the work I want to carry out.

The whole process was so easy; I felt Lara listened to my ideas and opinions; likewise, I trusted her judgement on what direction to take. I’d have no hesitation in working with Lara again in future. Thank you so much!

Chip Phillips

Working with Lara was an absolute joy. Having always felt daunted by the application process alone, she made the entire process manageable and stress-free. I felt so relaxed knowing she had all bases covered to the highest standard. She is perceptive and takes the time to get to know the project inside out, giving you the best possible chance of a successful bid. What she provides is a full service. Often when I asked about a technicality she showed that she had already included it within the application. Her responses were very reliable and timely, she is a wonderful person who genuinely does everything possible to get your bid through. I could not recommend Lara highly enough.

Rosa Brentall

As a creative practitioner recently gone freelance, the art funding and grant application process can feel intimidating, especially when you aren’t privy to the language and framing of your work that will stack the odds in your favour amongst a competitive landscape. I attended one of Lara’s DYCP workshops and knew right away I could benefit further from her skillset and experience with the DYCP grant. Getting started with Lara was easy and our sessions together very productive and insightful. She understands how to position your ideas and objectives into a simple yet comprehensive framework for your DYCP application and really takes the most stressful parts of the application out of the picture so you can focus on what you’re trying to communicate.

Jessica Sammut

Lara's knowledge and understanding of the Develop Your Own Creative Practice application was invaluable. Her support and guidance on my application, from clarifying the goals and timeline of my project to budgeting correctly, were instrumental in my success and securing the funding. I am so grateful for her constructive insight and time. I don't think I would have got it without her!

Magdalena Moursy

Applications are usually a daunting process for me, but together Lara and I created a system that made it really fulfilling and fun. I would speak the answers out loud to Lara who then scribed for me. This process led me to formulate my answers more deeply. I would then edit the final version myself.

Lara also gave me support with the scheduling and budgeting elements of the application, as I can experience anxiety with these tasks due to my dyslexia.

I am chuffed to say I was awarded the funding I applied for! And I continue to work with Lara as part of the funded project as she is a key and cherished collaborator.

Robyn Wilton

I have always found the process of applying for funding both daunting, and confusing. Being on the spectrum, I have always struggled reaching out for help, and communicating my thoughts both verbally and in written format. Lara Monro was very patient and helpful, and walked me through step by step in applying for a DYCP grant. Without her help, I would have struggled with keeping my wording concise, and succinctly describing what my aims and ambitions were. She also helped with organising a timetable, and budget plan, which I struggled to do on my own. Prior to my sessions with Lara, I felt unsure about applying to funding opportunities, however, I now feel more confident in myself, that I can do it.

Abi Ola

Since being diagnosed with dyslexia as a teenager I have been terrified by funding applications. Lara with her access support changed that overnight. Direct, really instructive and insightful, Lara guided me through my DYCP application helping not just with the application process itself but to shape my application so that it clearly articulated my ideas and strengthened my argument. She is now the first person I call for every funding application.

Katherine Templar-Lewis

Lara was incredibly detailed and attentive in the support she gave me. She has an in-depth understanding of Arts Council submissions and working with her made a huge difference to my application.

Dorothy Allen-Pickard

Lara made the entire application process feel manageable and less daunting. Her patience and positivity made me feel encouraged to see a vision for my project. I am filled with gratitude for this process. I would recommend Lara to anyone looking to apply for an Arts Council grant or any other!

Jay Coward

I had the opportunity to collaborate with Lara Monro while she assisted me in preparing a DYCP funding application for the LCKDN20 project. Lara's professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and invaluable guidance were crucial in crafting a persuasive submission. Her dedication and expertise in helping to shape this important funding application are truly commendable.

Giacomo Mantovani

It was a great support to have Lara help me with a Jerwood Arts residency application. Application writing is such a barrier for me because of my dyslexia but with Lara’s guidance and professional experience I actually enjoyed the process! Lara’s attention to detail and focused understanding of the arts sector meant my ideas were clearly and accurately communicated. Thank you!

Juliet Kolttrup

I would never have been able to write my DYCP application grant without Lara’s help and support as the process was so daunting for me. She is very knowledgeable and gave me practical and hands-on advice on budgeting and scheduling to help my project take shape, weeks after weeks until the final edit. Lara’s guidance and written skills have allowed me to write more concisely and clearly and I hope to work with her again soon!

Ingrid Berthon-Moine

Lara was an anchor throughout the DYCP application process. I have felt supported, guided, and encouraged. Most importantly, I felt heard. Lara really understood exactly what I wanted to express in my application and was able to translate my thoughts into a full-blown application.  

Lara is a lovely easygoing person which made the whole experience calming. She’s extremely knowledgeable about creative practice and the visual arts, which made it easier to talk about my work without having to change my language.

She would keep me on track whilst not enforcing deadlines (which would have triggered anxiety). The whole process felt smooth, not a big looming mountain to climb, which is often how I feel with applications and deadlines. I didn’t get stressed once!

Katie Oswell

Lara was amazingly helpful in helping me write my funding application. She went above and beyond to not only guide me through the process but more importantly to help me clearly articulate what it is I wanted to say. THANK YOU!

Robbie Crace

Lara really clarified many things for me when working on my Under 30K NLPG, and helped to draw out some key aspects that were under-emphasised in my own view of the project. I really appreciated her getting down into the trenches alongside me to conduct the writing of the application and for working closely on a moving target, that was such a huge help in getting the momentum up and the application over the line.

Eoghan O’Keeffe

Lara and I worked together in parallel on my DYCP application. Lara made my application process feel easy and pretty seamless. She looked at my drafts, listened, and then distilled and edited the best ideas into the proposal.

Peter Gomes

I had the pleasure of working with Lara on an NLPG funding application and couldn't be more impressed with her professionalism and expertise. She has a remarkable grasp of the intricate application system. She made this complex task feel very manageable to me and brought precision to every aspect of my project.

Djanan Turan