Queen City Creatives –

In a special batch of The Biscuit last week, we shared 12 business tips for your creative business that we have learned by … well … making lots of our own mistakes. If you missed it, you can read them here!

This week, we have seven programs and initiatives open and available in June to help you increase your business know-how, as well as to connect with creatives across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. 

Please take advantage of them. Apply, grab a ticket, join in and ask questions. From now through the end of the year, we’ll be sharing a wide array of opportunities like this to help you thrive as a small business owner.

ACCESS TO INSTRUCTIONS AND FUNDING

CEI Fall 2023 Applications Open
DEADLINE: June 14
APPLICATION & MORE INFO.

Applications are now open for the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) 2023 Fall Cohort. Developed by Charlotte Is Creative with funds from Wells Fargo and Mecklenburg County and space from the Do Greater Foundation, CEI is a 10-week program held twice a year, that provides creative entrepreneurs funding coupled with access to subject-matter experts and training to help grow their creative businesses. ⁣

Members of the CEI Cohort get:

✅10 classes on topics ranging from project management, bookkeeping and legal structure, to marketing and storytelling⁣

✅A $50 stipend to attend each class⁣

✅1:1 coaching sessions from subject matter experts⁣

✅Increased social capital and networking opportunities⁣

✅Promotion via Charlotte Is Creative’s media channels ⁣

✅A supportive and collaborative alumni network⁣

✅Access to learning materials to use after the class⁣

✅A $1,500 grant, upon successful completion of the CEI program, to enhance their creative business with equipment purchases, legal fees, infrastructure or towards a specific project, etc.⁣

The deadline to apply is June 14 so please share this with your network of creative entrepreneurs and encourage them to apply!  MORE INFO.

Here are five other events and programs we have that can assist local creative entrepreneurs.

ACCESS TO CREATIVE WORKSPACE

Apply for a Four-Month Mini-Residency at McColl Center
DEADLINE: June 30
APPLICATION & MORE INFO.

Since 2021, we’ve partnered with McColl Center through the H.U.G. Micro-Grant Program, to provide a four-month mini-residency in one of the Center’s artist studios. The creative selected for this program will also enjoy use of the McColl Center’s incredible workshop and and access the on-site artist community working there. Applications are open through June 30. 

ACCESS TO CREATIVE BUSINESS TRAINING

Creative Convo: Grant Writing Tips
June 8 at 6pm via Zoom
FREE EVENT | REGISTER HERE.

It can feel daunting to start on a grant application – you’re pouring your heart and soul into a proposal not knowing if it resonates with the person on the other end. So, why don’t we talk to the person on the other end?

Join Dara Silver, senior program director at the NC Arts Council, as she helps to demystify the process of applying for grants in this special online training session. As someone who reads hundreds of grant proposals, Dara will share insight and tips on strengthening your proposal and how to approach the application process. 

Creative Business Power Panel
June 26 from 6 to 9 p.m.
FREE EVENT | REGISTER HERE.

We’re excited to announce our inaugural Creative Business Power Panel on Monday, June 26, 2023. It is designed to address some of the most common business questions that we hear in the creative community. We’ve engaged experts from a variety of business fields to be with us to answer your questions regarding:

• Legal matters
• Finances and bookkeeping
• Insurance 
• Real estate 

Join us for an energetic panel discussion followed by breakout groups and resources. 

ACCESS TO CREATIVE COMMUNITY

The Drop at Divine Barrel Brewing
June 29 from 6:30 TO 9 p.m.
Performance starts at 7:15 p.m.
FREE EVENT 

Charlotte Is Creative’s next OneBand concert is happening on June 14 (6:30pm) at Divine Barrel. We’ll have an opening set by Charlotte rap artist Trey Armstrong and then 20+ CLT musicians will take the stage to tackle The Black Crowes, Janis Joplin, The Eagles, Bruce Hornsby and Beyoncé for a one-night-only set before OneBand’s 6th “flash rock orchestra” disbands forever! Come cheer them on — it’s fun and FREE!

The Drop at Divine Barrel Brewing
June 29 from 6 TO 9 P.M.
FREE EVENT | REGISTER HERE.

Each quarter, Charlotte Is Creative issues a paid commission to a group of artists to create a new, mobile mural that will hang in Divine Barrel Brewing for three months and then serve as they the label of one of their beers (distributed statewide) the following quarter.

Thus far, The Drop has worked with artists from #BeattiesFordStrong and Namaste Artists CLT. On June 29, we’ll drop the curtain on a new mural by Dyair created in honor of Charlotte Pride. Join us from 6 to 9 p.m. for amazing art, live music, cold beer and hot discussion. Admission is free.

The Drop is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Spark the Arts grant promotes audience inclusion and reengagement in the arts.

Join Us!

Charlotte Is Creative is here to help you succeed not only as a creative, but as a creative small business. We hope you’ll take advantage of all the programs and initiatives above. If you have questions about any of them, please reach out to hello@charlotteiscreative.com

All good things,

Tim, Matt, Makayla, Melissa & Setu
Charlotte Is Creative