Creative Consulting &
Arts Writing

The Big Picture

As a creative consultant, I work with artists to secure resources like grants, fellowships, and lab invitations. I help capture, contextualize, and circulate your work so that it can manifest fully. My role is to help artists put themselves out there in order to grow their practice. Artistic careers are built within ecosystems of support and institutional opportunities provide the scaffolding for artists to experiment and improve upon their craft. The act of applying, in itself, is an assertion that the work matters. A well-timed opportunity—an encounter with a mentor, or a resource as simple as dedicated time and space—can transform a fledgling idea into a fully realized work. My goal is to ensure that your creative energy doesn’t get lost.

Whether it’s refining artist statements, strategizing submissions, or creative coaching and development for projects in motion, I support creatives at every stage of their journey-- writers, filmmakers, and multidisciplinary artists alike.

I’ll help you clarify your vision, create an effective submission strategy, and craft a compelling narrative around your talent and your project. Blending storytelling, strategy, and creative vision, I’ll work with you to elevate your project materials in a way that amplifies your unique point-of-view.

I offer a free 30-minute introductory call to learn about your work and goals. From there, I’ll create a project proposal based on your timeline and scope of work. We’ll kick things off with a deep-dive session, followed by targeted creative homework to start the process of refining your materials and pushing your project forward.

Offerings

Comprehensive Arts Grant Writing Assistance

Nuts & bolts application assembly, including writing, editing, and managing supplementary materials, like budget development, recommendation letters, project timelines, etc

Grants Forecasting

A custom-tailored proposal with a timeline of upcoming relevant grant, fellowship, lab, and residency opportunities

Creative Development Coaching

Providing tailored feedback and strategic guidance to help refine projects through one-on-one sessions, working with artists to articulate the creative vision, strengthen the storytelling, and confidently navigate the path to getting projects made.

Artist Statements

Constructing impactful statements that genuinely reflect an artist’s personal connection to their work, clarify their intentions, and highlight the project's urgency, sparking curiosity about the work

Treatment Writing

Crafting dynamic, visually striking treatments for both narrative and commercial projects that capture the heart of a director’s vision.

Script Coverage & Development Notes

Providing in-depth script coverage and development notes, drawing from experience as a reader for production and finance companies to help writers refine character, structure, and theme

Research Assistance

Providing in-depth research support to strengthen storytelling, enhance world-building, and ensure authenticity in your creative projects.

Project Management for Creative Projects
Disaster/Emergency Relief for Artists

Rates

$50–$100/hour (sliding scale available)

Rates are determined by the scope of work, including the amount of writing versus editing, grant length, and level of service (partial or comprehensive).

My Story

Art has always been my compass. I grew up dancing, drawing, drumming, directing music videos, and capturing stories on my dad’s mini DV camera. Storytelling has always been how I make sense of the world. I believe that creativity is an invocation, and that artists serve as conduits between the material and intangible realms to show us what is possible. Art brings beauty, deeper meaning, and transformation into our lives and society at large.

With over fifteen years as a working artist in film, TV, and theater, I know firsthand the fortitude it takes to bring a creative project to fruition—the uphill battle of securing the means to do so. The only work that fulfills me as much as creating my own is supporting others in creating theirs.

I’ve built my career by crafting compelling narratives around my work and diligently tracking opportunities. I’ve secured grants, fellowships, artist residencies from coast to coast, and helped others do the same. My decade as an arts administrator at a multidisciplinary arts space honed my ability to support artists from the ground up—whether through grant writing, budget planning, or creating inclusive opportunities for independent artists to thrive. My background in storytelling, project management, and production gives me a sharp editorial eye and a deep understanding of what it takes to develop, fund, and bring creative projects to life.

My North Star is cultivating spaces that uplift artists. I am committed to weaving strong, sustainable creative communities and hope to one day build a multidisciplinary artist residency among the mesas of New Mexico (speaking it into existence here!)

Testimonials

“Marina was amazing to work with. It was hard for me to communicate my jumbled thoughts, and she was able to adequately convey my experience with clarity. She was so compassionate, and super organized. I felt seen and well taken care of. I am so grateful for Marina. I believe she is the reason we were awarded our grant!” ~ Hannah P.

“Marina assisted me with my grant application while I was recovering from the traumatic event. She spoke to the grant administrators, broke down the submission process, and then completed the grant on my behalf. I was awarded the full amount and would not have had the capacity to submit without Marina’s support. She made it easy for me and held my hand when I needed it the most.” ~ Julia G.