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CHAMPIONING CHARLOTTE’S CREATIVITY

SINCE 2015

Programs
Charlotte Is Creative develops programs and initiatives designed to break the Charlotte mold and re-make it with creativity.
Hug Micro-Grant

HUG Micro-Grants

HUGs (Helpful Unfettered Gifts) are $250 strings-free micro-grants – aka “Love Bombs of Cash” – awarded monthly to non-profit and for-profit creative initiatives in Charlotte to help propel the project forward or remove a small obstacle to its overall success. As of January 2020, we've awarded more than $40,000 in HUGsto 160+ local projects.
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Quenn City Quiz Show

Queen City Quiz Show

Our live game show about Charlotte’s past and present is designed to spur community discourse, convey information, and empower citizens to shape our city’s future. QCQS has become known as an engaging component of public forums and gatherings and is available to hire for companies, outings, and events.
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Exploring Charlotte

Employee Engagement

We help companies and organizations adjust to today's remote workplace culture with Employee Engagement Programs that inspire teams, strengthen leaders and encourage innovation. Through our customized programs, employees become more passionate and committed to their employer, their colleagues, and their city. And that’s how companies retain talent.
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Creative Mornings

CreativeMornings/CLT

Join with hundreds of Charlotteans the first Friday of the month at this free monthly breakfast series celebrating the creative spirit of the city with local speakers, live music, and more. The diverse audience is united by the belief that “Everyone is Creative” and "Everyone is Welcome," shared by over 200 CreativeMornings chapters around the world.
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Charlotte is Creative

Charlotte Is Creative develops programs and initiatives designed to break the Charlotte mold and re-make it with creativity – into a city that draws people in, excites them, and inspires them to invest their financial, social and creative capital.

We connect and celebrate Charlotte's creative citizens through live events like Creative Mornings/Charlotte and Queen City Quiz Show. We empower and support them through our HUG (Helpful Unfettered Gift) micro-grant program and related trainings. We inform and entertain our city through our official media channel, The Biscuit.

And we're innovating even more platforms and programming to provide further resources for Queen City creatives to be successful. Everything we do is in service of fortifying creativity in Charlotte, championing the diverse people making it happen, and strengthening the mutually-enriching relationship between Charlotte’s creative and business communities.

Mat Olin & Tim Miner, Co-Founders of Charlotte is Creative

Matt Olin & Tim Miner, Co-Founders of Charlotte is Creative

The Biscuit

Our official media channel, The Biscuit, helps you take a big bite out of life in Charlotte. The Biscuit leads you on an exploration of the Queen City's creative community with daily news, weekly videos, podcasts, and humor.

An International Experience Right Here in the Queen City

Biscuit readers, it’s Makayla Binter here, and I am ecstatic to talk arts and culture (duh). Charlotte’s arts and culture calendar has been full of

Do Yourself A Favor And Hit Submit!

Hey there, Biscuit readers! Makayla Binter here. Before I share all these opportunities and calls with you, your creative friends and your family members, I

Welcome the Fall 2026 CEI Cohort!

WELCOME THE FALL 2026 CEI COHORT!  Twice a year, the team at Charlotte Is Creative welcomes 15 creatives of all mediums and experience levels to join a

From One Artist To Another: Your Work Is Part of the Conversation

Creative people, it’s Makayla Binter here, and I want to talk about the quintessential art-school experience for a second. As part of my studio art

PROGRAMS, CALLS AND CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU!

This jam-packed Biscuit is for creatives ready to land some funding, make new connections, exhibit their work, join local projects or land a part-time gig.

Um, hello? Opportunity is Calling You!

Making connections, exploring opportunities and building a network when you are just starting your creative career can come with a steep learning curve. Here at

MEET THE 2026 SPRING CEI COHORT

The Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is back, supporting Mecklenburg County creatives with a combination of training, fellowship and funding to help them embrace their roles

Find Community and Make Creative Friends (With US!)

Find Community and Make Creative Friends (With US!) Charlotte Reciprocity Circles Saturday, February 21, 2026 10 a.m. | Seoul Food Meat Company Mill District SIGN

2025 Recap and 2026 Visions

The team at Charlotte Is Creative had an incredibly busy 2025. And, so did you. In our last Biscuit, we encouraged you, our readers, to

Join ONEBAND for the Next Gig on March 12

ONEBAND – Charlotteans Making Music Together for One Day “One setlist … one rehearsal … one performance. OneBand – and all are welcome.” Charlotte Is

FREE Capacity-Building Resources for Creatives

Free Business Training Classes for Creatives Established by Charlotte Is Creative in 2021, the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) is made possible with funds from Wells

Take the Charlotte Music Census

“We want Charlotte to be known as the most welcoming and supportive community in the country for artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs — and that

The Magic of “Good Enough”

The Magic of “Good Enough”: Why OneBand Works “Are you crazy?” “That sounds terrifying.” “There’s no way I’d do that.” I hear all of the

2 Ways to POWER UP Your Creative Prowess 

Charlotte runs on creativity — and the connections that fuel it. This week, you’ve got two great chances to grow your circle, sharpen your skills

FALL IN LOVE WITH LOCAL MUSIC AT CONFLUENCE CAROLINAS (Oct. 8-10)

Tim Miner, here, everyone. And, I want to say that … Everyone has their first love. Mine was The Connells. I should clarify — I’m

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