Put Yourself Out There and APPLY!
Applying for opportunities and submitting your work can be nerve-wracking, but putting yourself out there starts with taking a chance on your creativity.
Whether you’re ready to grow your business, share your film, create community-focused content or act, the opportunities below offer a place to start.
Read the requirements, gather what you need and give yourself time to put your best work forward. You got this!
ASC CHARLOTTE
FESTIVAL FUNDING
Applications open: Jan. 4, 2027
Project dates: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028
MORE INFORMATION
Festival Funding supports arts, science, history and heritage activities within public festivals open to the community. The program helps fund large-scale events that celebrate Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s diversity, expand cultural access and create opportunities for local cultural providers.
CITY OF HOBBIES
MICROGRANT
Deadline: Oct. 28
Project dates: December 2026-February 2027
MORE INFORMATION
City of Hobbies microgrants support free, community-based hobby experiences across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Open to individuals, groups and organizations, these grants help bring creative passions to life through public events and programs. Applicants must be 13 or older. No prior grant experience is required.
APPLY FOR THE SPRING 2027
CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS INITIATIVE COHORT
Deadline: Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.
APPLY HERE
Grow your creative business with the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI), a 10-week program offering practical business classes, individual consultations, creative mentors and networking opportunities. Funded by Wells Fargo with support from Aspire Community Capital, Interact Studio and Do Greater Charlotte, CEI also provides a grant upon successful completion.
Artists and creatives living in Mecklenburg County are encouraged to apply and explain how CEI could support their creative businesses at this stage of their careers.
Questions? Email applications@charlotteiscreative.com.
CHARLOTTE JOURNALISM
BECOME A NEWSY NEIGHBOR
Deadline: Rolling
MORE INFORMATION
Local government meetings shape policies and decisions that affect our daily lives, yet many receive little public attention. Become a documenter to help keep your neighbors informed and get involved while issues affecting your community are still being discussed.
LXNNY
MUSIC VIDEO SHOOT
Shoot date: Sunday, Oct. 25
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION
Charlotte musician LXNNY seeks community members to appear in the music video for “Come Find Me,” filming Oct. 25 at AMINA in Uptown. The scene features a dinner party, with participants asked to wear semiformal attire suited to a business event or fundraiser. Contact LXNNY directly on Instagram for details.
THE CABARRUS ARTS COUNCIL
ARTS ASSOCIATE I
Deadline: Rolling
MORE INFORMATION
The Cabarrus Arts Council is hiring a full-time Arts Associate I to support its arts programs and operations. Responsibilities include administrative assistance, event logistics, customer service and general program support. The position reports to the operations director and helps bring arts experiences to the Cabarrus County community.
FOLIA SOUTHEND
BARTENDER
Deadline: Rolling
MORE INFORMATION
Folia SouthEnd seeks bartenders who love crafting cocktails and creating memorable guest experiences. Apply through the online portal. Interviews are by invitation only.
CLT BLACK OWNED
CONTENT CREATOR NETWORK
Deadline: Rolling
MORE INFORMATION
CLT Black Owned seeks volunteer content creators to spotlight Black-owned businesses in and around Charlotte through videos, photos and storytelling. Creativity matters more than follower count.
This unpaid opportunity offers hosted business visits or complimentary event tickets in exchange for content, reviews or event promotion. Creators may also connect with partners offering paid opportunities.
CHARLOTTE SHOUT!
FLOUR & INK FILM FESTIVAL
Virtual Q&A: Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
Deadline: Nov. 6
MORE INFORMATION
Charlotte SHOUT! 2027, in partnership with local filmmaker Brenton Bent of B Sinima, seeks filmmakers and visual storytellers to pitch original food-centered film concepts for its new Flour & Ink Film Festival. Stories should explore the people, traditions, cultures and communities that connect us through food.
Email aeverett@charlottecentercity.org to join the virtual information session.
MIDNIGHT HOMEMOVIES
FILM SUBMISSIONS
Deadline: Nov. 27 at 11:59 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION
MIDNIGHT HOMEMOVIES seeks films of two minutes or less that embrace outsider filmmaking, including camp, horror, queer stories and animation. Screenings take place Dec. 18 at Independent Picture House and Dec. 19 at Goodyear Arts.
Entry fees range from $5 to $10. No AI-generated content will be accepted. This event is for ages 18 and older.
Midterms are approaching, and early voting is underway! North Carolinians can vote at any early voting site in their county of residence through 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
Want to learn more about what’s on your ballot? Join Anna Rios at La Bodeguita at Camp North End this Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to noon, before Boileryard Brunch.
Get a breakdown of the 2026 ballot and information about early voting, with matcha and onigiri from Jyuuni available for purchase. RSVP is encouraged, but not required.