Setting up 18 studios, Long Eaton, Nottingham

Sent in the funding application to the arts council. Originally we wanted £35,000 to build partitions, sought out the electrics, plumbing etc. As this exceded £5000 it would have taken at least 12 weeks before we had an answer. We decided to go for something more modest, especially as arts funding has been cut in favour of the Olympic Games. Also, the process is quicker and we should know in 6 weeks. The priority is the electrics. We are woefully low on power points and the lighting is poor. The lowest estimate is £8000+ so we will have to raid our pension pot. I checked with the visual arts officers if I needed a letter from them to send with the application. They assured me I didn't. I hand delivered the document of 40pages plus last week, relieved it was out of the way. (Anyone who has jumped through the hoops will know what I'm talking about.)
Then the bad news. A phonecall on Wednesday to prepare me for a letter from the Arts Council telling me my application was invalid as I had not included the required letter. Apologies from the staff as the had given me the wrong advice. I have to wait for the letter giving me permission to apply. I can't resubmit the original application form, but more trees have to be sacrificed to tick the Arts Council boxes. To add insult to injury the letter arrived yesterday with no mention of the wrong advice – just an invalid application. The people who advise me, judge me and write to me are all being paid. Meanwhile my document which has taken months to prepare is archived, whilst I have to resend another. Madness.