What does it take to level up your documentation and grant applications when you're deeply insecure about your writing?

In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Bay Area artist Kimberlee Koym-Murteira about joining Netvvrk three years ago, knowing she needed support to win more grants. She'd seen firsthand that when she had help, she was successful—but she didn't know how to get that consistently. Through constant feedback, mentorship from members, and building relationships in accountability groups, Kimberlee transformed her applications so dramatically that she won many and went from avoiding certain opportunities to applying for the Guggenheim.

This conversation breaks down what it looks like to use a creative community—getting feedback within hours when you need it, why AI tools help but can't replace human editors, and how focusing on your own path instead of competing locally creates sustained hopefulness even when six major galleries in your region close. If you've ever wondered what the practical day-to-day of career growth looks like, the details are all in this podcast.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST. Register here.

Kimberlee Koym-Murteira:

Tools & Resources Mentioned:

Bay Area Context:

California College of the Arts (CCA): https://www.cca.edu