Consultation: First Aid for Rejection

You’ve put a lot of time and energy into your grant application, then wait anxiously for several months, only to receive a rejection—or an approval where the amount awarded is significantly lower than what you requested. Anyone who works in the cultural sector and applies for grants will recognize this moment.

So you have to go back to the drawing board and/or do some calculations. But how do you go about it? What options are still available? What can you take away from the advice, and how do you apply it? It can sometimes take a while to adjust and figure things out after a setback like this. That’s why Cultuur Academy offers: First Aid for Rejection.

For whom.

These (free!) consultations are available to project initiators and organizations that have submitted a multi-year grant application to the City of Arnhem or the City of Nijmegen and have received a (partial) rejection. If you have recently fund a rejection of a multi-year grant application from another fund and would like to discuss it, you are also welcome to join us.

After the interview

• You'll have a better idea of how to interpret the advice or feedback.
• Do you have a better idea of the options available for carrying out the project or activities after all?
• Do you have more concrete guidance and encouragement to help you take the next steps?

Program

In a one-on-one meeting, you’ll review the feedback you received together with organizational consultant Marion Beltman. What exactly does it say, and how should you interpret it? How does this rejection compare to other grant applications and funding options? What flexibility does the budget allow? And what next steps are possible? A rejection or a lower grant amount doesn’t have to mean the end. Together with Marion, you’ll explore how you can still carry out your plan, or how you can better align it with the grant program in the future.

About the Expert

Marion Beltman is an organizational consultant in the arts, culture, and creative industries. Through her own firm and via intermediaries, she advises cultural (heritage) institutions, design firms, creatives, (theater) producers, and (visual) artists on business management and strategy. She has extensive experience as a consultant on grant applications and as a committee member for various municipalities.

Een afwijzing is zuur en maakt dat je wellicht even het licht niet meer ziet. In een persoonlijk gesprek, vanuit het advies, kunnen we heel goed inzicht krijgen in welke mogelijkheden je wél hebt: de diepte ingaan en nieuwe inspiratie opdoen. Gun jezelf de kans op die eye-openers.

Practical information

Date: September 10, 2026 Are you unavailable on this date, or would you prefer to attend in Arnhem? Then sign up for the consultation sessions on September 8 in Arnhem!
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: Free (registration required)
Location: Nijmegen

We reserve 40 minutes of one-on-one time for each registration.

Do you have any questions or would you like additional information? Please contact us at info@cultuuracademy.nl.

By registering for one of our programs, you agree to our terms and conditions.