Here are some answers to help you with common questions when completing a project proposal as part of the second stage of the application process…
1. Will I have to commit to the project I am proposing?
No. You do not need to commit to the project you propose. Your idea can change (and often does) before and during the programme. This proposal is just a starting sketch.
2. Can I change my ideas?
Yes. Your idea can absolutely change between submitting your proposal and the beginning of the programme. This stage is about getting the ball rolling, not locking you in to a commitment.
3. I have too many ideas…which should I choose?
Just choose one of the ideas you’d like to complete right now. It doesn’t need to be perfect, your proposal is simply a conversation starter. Pick the idea you feel most drawn to in this moment or the one you can imagine sustaining your creative practice as you move forward.
4. Is my idea ‘creative’ enough?
The proposal isn’t a test of how creative you are. Many students who join the programme initially worry that they’re “not creative enough.” This programme isn’t only for visual artists or makers, it’s about bringing your ideas to life and taking action.
We’ve had wellbeing specialists, facilitators, people transforming school curriculums, event creators, community builders, and even home-schooling innovators. There is no idea, and no applicant, that isn’t creative enough.
5. I’m not sure I have enough time anymore?
We encourage you to not overthink it. An initial 30 minutes might be enough to sit down and write your ideas down on paper. Use the bullet points provided to help you to scope it.
6. How long should I spend on my proposal?
There is no minimum or maximum you should spend on your proposal. As a starting point, try this exercise…
Schedule a 30 minute window in your calendar to sit down and start writing your proposal
Use the bullet points below as a structure and just start writing whatever comes out
Wherever you get to at the end of 30 minutes, submit your proposal!
7. Is my idea good enough?
Have you ever hesitated to share something because it wasn't yet perfect? You’re not alone. Many of us mistakenly believe our best work emerges from meticulous isolation. The reality is starkly different. Real innovation rarely emerges in isolation, it blossoms through interaction, feedback, and adaptation. The Make Happen distinction "Evolve in the Wild" emphasises this powerful truth: Your ideas become robust not by perfecting them privately, but by letting them collide and grow through real-world exposure…
If it expresses something you care about, it’s good enough. This isn’t about perfection. It’s “Evolving in the Wild”!
8. Could my proposal be rejected?
We rarely reject applicants on their proposal alone. If something is unclear, we may ask some clarifying questions to get more of a sense of your project and whether this programme can help.
9. What format should I do it in?
You can:
write it directly in the body of an email
OR
attach it as a PDF.
And sent to to [email protected]
10. How can I get some help with my proposal?
If you’re still looking for a little support in creating your proposal, you can:
Join a Online Proposal Support Session
Join an Online Applicant Session
Ask questions in the Make Happen online community
Reach out directly to [email protected] with a question