BiscuitDec13MAGNIFYING THE ARTS WITH THE CRVA
Sharing Charlotte’s Creative People, Places & Stories with VisitorsCharlotte Is Creative (CIC), publishers of The Biscuit, has a mission to bring creatives together, share community resources, build partnerships and sow the seeds of collaboration. On Dec. 2, the CIC team coordinated with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Association (CRVA) team to bring together an inspiring group of creatives, organizers, and organizations at the new home of Arts+. Guests ranged from representatives of the Mint Museum and Blumenthal Arts to those from Baran Dance, BLKMRKTCLT, VAPA Center, Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery, Namaste Artists, Dottie Rose Foundation, TAOH Outdoor Gallery, Theatre Gap Initiative, Tosco Music and many others. The goal of the evening was to learn more about the CRVA’s mission, how it works, and what visitors and travelers want to know about the arts. This meet-up was meant to spark an ongoing conversation about how creatives can help the CRVA tell the story of Charlotte and how the CRVA can help drive more attention to local creative organizations and events. In their opening presentation, CRVA staff shared what they’ve learned about what visitors are most interested in when visiting Charlotte. Attendees were excited to learn that the Queen City’s vibrant creative offerings—from large legacy organizations to grassroots groups, events and movements—are top of mind for many of those traveling here. A FEW IMPORTANT FACTS- 27% of Charlotte’s visitors come from within North Carolina
- 54% visit to see friends and family
- Arts & Culture is one of the four pillars of CRVA’s brand and messaging
- 2024 Opportunity Fund recipients will receive special marketing support from the CRVA and Hue House
To end the evening, attendees broke into discussion groups, moderated by the CRVA team, to explore how arts organizations can support the CRVA and vice versa. These conversations presented opportunities to ask questions, gain insight and build pathways to more collaboration. As the conversations and relationships started at this meet-up resonate in the months ahead, we’ll share more in future batches of The Biscuit. 
Mert Wilkinson in her new studio at the McColl Center
Wilkinson Selected for McColl Mini-ResidencyMeredith “Mert” Wilkinson has a new home—well, a new “work home,” that is. This week, Wilkinson, a Charlotte-based photographer and visual artist secured her spot in the McColl Center studio, where she will work through the end of March 2025. Charlotte Is Creative’s H.U.G. Micro-Grant program funds this mini-residency. SPACE, TOOLS AND COMMUNITYFor the past three years, CIC has partnered with McColl Center to fund a four-month mini-residency for a local artist in the Center’s studios. The previous occupant of this studio was multimedia artist, Madison Foss. “I’m excited to continue my work in this beautiful space and look forward to the community I’m becoming a part of,” Wilkinson said. In addition to free workspace, Wilkinson will have access to labs, tools and resources. More importantly, she will be surrounded by fellow creatives working in the Center’s other studios. TIME TO FOCUS AND CREATEDuring her mini-residency, Wilkinson plans to create 20-40 new works of art she hopes to feature in Sovereign: Honoring Bodily Autonomy. This exhibition, curated by Meredith Connelly, will be on display at McColl Center March 6-April 12, 2025. “I’ll use studio time to continue building my Neck to Navel photo series,” Wilkinson said. “With each new image, I aim to celebrate the female form and tell individual stories of resilience and strength.” More information about Sovereign and Wilkinson’s progress, will be shared in future batches of The Biscuit. 
The SEED20 Class of 2024 on stage at the Parr Center earlier this year.
SVP CHARLOTTE ANNOUNCES THE SEED20 CLASS OF 2025Social Venture Partners Charlotte (SVP) has announced the 10 members of its SEED20 cohort for 2025. Each of the selected nonprofits will work with community coaches, marketing professionals, and a team from OnStage to develop a three-minute pitch they’ll deliver at a public competition for funding in March. SVP will also provide these nonprofits with counsel and professional development workshops throughout the coming year. MEET THE CLASS OF 2025At CIC, we are excited to see Angela Kollmer of Upcycle Arts, a graduate of our own Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI), among those selected. This marks the second year in a row a CEI graduate (last year, it was BreatheInk) has been selected for SEED20. The remaining organizations in the cohort are:
Chalice Meikle (CREDIT: Jalen Marlowe) and Carla Natham (CREDIT: Corrine Olarte)
MEIKLE AND NATHAN NAMED TO ARTPOP CLASS OF 2025This week, ArtPopStreet Gallery revealed the artists (and works) selected for its 2025 Cities Program. In all, 2020 local/regional artists were named, including high school student Ellie Ko, 17. Like the incoming class of SEED20, next year’s Cities Program creatives include two graduates of Charlotte Is Creative’s CEI program — Chalice Meikle and Carla Nathan (A.K.A. Crane Seven.) Their work — and that of the other 18 artists — will soon be emblazoned on billboards and digital screens across the Charlotte area. To learn more about the ArtPop Class of 2025 and to see the works selected, CLICK HERE. 
Artist Bunny Gregory makes a sidewalk mural at BOOM Charlotte in 2022.
BOOM CHARLOTTE MOVES TO UNIVERSITY CITYThis week, University City Partners announced a new partnership with BOOM Charlotte for 2025 to host the eighth annual arts festival in University City. The three-day event will occur on April 25-27, 2025, around the University City lakefront at The Shoppes at University Place. In an Instagram post on @CLT_BOOM, Keith Stanley, CEO and President of University City Partners shared: “[W]e’re truly honored that BOOM Charlotte has chosen to trust us to host their event in our corner of the Queen City.” As it has in previous years, BOOM will offer immersive artistic experiences, including dance, music, theatre, poetry and more. MORE INFO. 
OPERATIONAL FUNDING: CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS
FROM: SouthArts
DEADLINE: Feb. 5SouthArts has opened the application process for Cultural Sustainability grants. This program is offers general operating funds to organizations rooted in communities of color — arts nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, private entities and state/federally recognized tribes. MORE INFO.
OPEN CALL: MURAL OPPORTUNITY
FROM: Arts & Science Council
DEADLINE: Jan. 13The ASC seeks creators for an inspiring public art project focused on equality and social justice. This initiative aims to honor and reflect the experiences of enslaved individuals at Mecklenburg County’s Latta Place in Huntersville, NC. MORE INFO. Join their Virtual Pre-Submittal Meeting on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. to learn more. REGISTER HERE. ARTS OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE
FROM: N.C. Arts Council (NCAC)
DEADLINES: VariousNCAC has aggregated a list of available grants, calls for proposals, and professional development options for artists looking to share their art across the state. Opportunities include special options for artists affected by Hurricane Helene. MORE INFO. AVAILABLE SPACE FOR STUDIOS AND EXHIBITION
FROM: Charlotte Studio ArtistsFrom 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, the new Charlotte Studio Artists (CSA) space is open to the public to purchase art and meet the resident artists. Additionally, CSA has available studio and wall space for creatives near the Johnston YMCA in the heart of NoDa. Get more information at charlottestudioartists@gmail.com. OPEN CALL: HUMANITIES PROJECT GRANTS
FROM: NC Humanities Council
DEADLINES: Jan. 16, April 25, and RollingNC Humanities is now accepting applications for the 2025 Humanities Project Grants. Eligible project ideas include community conversation series, exhibitions, films, podcasts, interpretation of historic sites, and more. Three levels of grants range from $2,000 to $20,000. MORE INFO. | The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: |
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