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Creatives Love Business. Business Loves Creativity.
“Having the chance to simply be in this room full of other driven and passionate Charlotte creatives really shifted me into this energy of ‘Wow, artists really make Charlotte an amazing place to be and I get to be a part of this magic,’” said Delilah Eby, knitwear designer, Fall 2023 CEI Cohort.
We’ve said it many times. And we’re going to keep on saying it:
Creatives are small businesses.
To build their careers as creative entrepreneurs, creatives need paid gigs and grant funding. They need promotion. They need connections and generous amounts of social capital. They need access to resources and individuals who can help them and share their wisdom.
But to maximize the potential of all the above, creatives also need the same skills and knowledge as any small business owner. That’s why Charlotte Is Creative (CIC), publishers of The Biscuit, founded the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) in 2021 with startup funding from Wells Fargo.
The program has continued into its fifth cohort with ongoing support from Wells and additional support from Mecklenburg County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interact Studio and the Do Greater Foundation.
THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION
The 10-week program pairs funding and introductory business training for creative entrepreneurs in Mecklenburg County. As impactful and necessary as funding is to the health of any entrepreneur’s journey, what cohort members repeatedly reflect on as key elements of their time in CEI are the education and the community.
The CEI curriculum is packed with classes led by local subject-matter experts, business consultations specific to each creative’s needs, effective coaching in pitching and storytelling, and access to tangible tools to enhance business acumen. To spread the impact of this programming, seven out of 10 CEI classes are open for free public audit.
TWO COHORTS A YEAR
Each spring and fall, CIC selects up to 15 local creative entrepreneurs for the CEI cohort. Each participant comes to the program with a singular experience, a desire to confidently navigate the role of an entrepreneur, and a yearning to collaborate and grow in Charlotte’s creative ecosystem. They graduate as a unit, having learned how to achieve as individuals by working together.
And, as they graduate from CEI, cohort members are greeted by an ever-expanding alumni network and introduction to organizations and resources they can use to move into the next phase of their careers. It makes a massive difference.
AS ONE COHORT LAUNCHES, APPLICATIONS OPEN AGAIN.
The Spring 2024 CEI Cohort represents a fraction of the impressive applicant pool (roughly 10 percent of overall applicants) and showcases a diversity in background, experience, and creative disciplines including music, spoken word, fiber art, film curation, comedy, mixology, visual art, theater, digital art, and photography. Get to know them below.
If you are interested in applying to be in the 2024 Fall CEI Cohort (or know someone who should be), your timing is impeccable. Applications are open today – Feb. 14 – and will remain open until March 15 for the sixth CEI Cohort starting this August.” APPLY HERE.
Photography by Dionna Bright (CEI Cohort Three)
April Lee
Fiber Artist
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @latchedxlee
- CEI Program Goals: To learn the business administrative process of a small business and build connections with other creatives.
Christine McLennan
Comedian
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @premiumgoatpanties
- CEI Program Goals: To become a more confident, business-savvy producer of experimental comedy shows in the Queen City.
Frank Expression
Event Curator/Poet
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @Frank_Expression
- CEI Program Goals: To collaborate with creatives to expand the reach of poetry in unique spaces.
Giovanna Torres
Film Festival Organizer/Writer
- Available for Hire? Yes (Especially for sponsors of the first Charlotte Latino Film Festival!)
- Instagram: @cinecasual, @cltlatinofilmfest
- CEI Program Goals: To acquire knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities for success in creative endeavors.
Isaiah Kidd
Photographer/Videographer & Painter
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @kiddvisuals
- CEI Program Goals: To enhance presentation and bookkeeping skills.
Jazzi Goode
Mixologist
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @amomtale
- CEI Program Goals: To transition home mixology business for moms from concept to reality.
Madelyn Hernandez
Illustrator
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @madelynhernandezart
- CEI Program Goals: To boost the success and market presence of their fantasy art business.
Mark Pendergrass
Arts Nonprofit Founder
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @creatingexposure
- CEI Program Goals: To find mentorship, resources and collaboration to enhance productivity and services in Charlotte.
Mia Love Live
Theatrical Performer (Storyteller & Writer)
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @mialovelive
- CEI Program Goals: To integrate her artistic creativity with business acumen.
Nicia Carla
Theatre Maker/Director/Actor/Teacher
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @paperhousetheatre
- CEI Program Goals: To connect with Charlotte’s creative community and to learn business planning to grow PaperHouse Theatre.
Oxana Erokhina
Photographer
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @oksana.roksolana
- CEI Program Goals: To meet inspiring individuals and gain tools to launch her photography business.
Quincy Woodard
2D/3D Graphic Artist
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @thefreequincy
- CEI Program Goals: To obtain essential tools for business management.
Rebecca Lipps
Immersive and Installation Artist
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @rebeccalippsart
- CEI Program Goals: To advance her creative business through collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices.
Stephanie Little
Event Calligrapher and Engraver
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @slletteringco
- CEI Program Goals: Strengthening business operations and connecting with community organizations for collaboration and partnerships.
Tiara Tiana
Printmaker
- Available for Hire? Yes
- Instagram: @artisticflacko
- CEI Program Goals: To deepen her understanding of the entrepreneurial aspects of art.
The VAPA Center | CREDIT: Courtesy of VAPA Center
Elevate Your Art: Free Studio Space for Visual Artists in Charlotte
Thanks to a unique collaboration with Charlotte Is Creative, Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery, nestled in the vibrant VAPA Center, is offering artists a chance to immerse themselves in their work without the stress of rent. This opportunity is a haven for visual artists looking to make significant strides in their craft.
Residency Perks:
- Rent-Free Studio: Dedicate more time to your art, less to financial worries.
- Vibrant Community: Connect with like-minded creatives in the VAPA Center.
- Focused Development: Tailored for artists seeking to expand their portfolio and skills.
Mark Your Calendar:
- Application Deadline: Feb. 25, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
- Notification: Week of March 3
- Start Date: March 15
Seize this opportunity to enhance your artistic journey in the heart of downtown Charlotte. APPLY HERE BY Feb. 25.
This initiative is supported by Charlotte Is Creative via the H.U.G. micro-grant program and the studio gallery, with financial support from Wray Ward, Hot Sake, Google Fiber, LPL Financial and LISC.