Quick Creative News Bites – Feb. 18, 2022
Whew! We don’t know about you, but we’re still swooning from Valentine’s Day. We ended last week sharing a few of Charlotte’s coolest creative couples with you in The Biscuit and on WBTV’S QC Life . And, we started this one declaring our eternal love for the Queen City creative community.
We’ve definitely come down with a case of the vapors (please read that in your best Blanche DuBois voice) … but that doesn’t mean the Queen City creative community has slowed down at all for us to recover.
While we pull ourselves together, here are some quick news bites about amazing initiatives and opportunities underway in Charlotte.
Creative News
 Mural at Charlotte SHOUT! 2019 by Nick Napoletano – CREDIT: City of Charlotte City of Charlotte Seeks Firm to Lead Arts & Culture Planning
The City of Charlotte has released an Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be used to identify the firm that will develop Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s comprehensive arts and culture plan over the next two years. The effort is meant to chart the path of cultural development and funding for the next 10 years, incorporating the entire creative ecosystem from individual artists to large institutions.
The RFP was developed by the city’s arts officer, Priya Sircar, a working group of Charlotte’s Arts and Culture Board, of which Charlotte Is Creative co-founder, Tim Miner, is a member. REVIEW THE RFP HERE.
Namaste Artists Painting Mural at West Charlotte High School
Working with the school’s advisory board, Namaste Artists is planning a new mural at West Charlotte High School (WMHS) toward the end of February. The new mural has received support from an anonymous donor, Friends of West Mecklenburg and Charlotte Is Creative, publisher of The Biscuit. A team of six creatives from Namaste is seeking to work with students to design a new work that impacts “the students at WMHS with artistic innovation, interaction and communication while leveraging the importance of the arts and how it is embedded in their daily lives.”
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Creative Opportunities
 Charlotte Ballet hosts free community dance classes through Culture Blocks – CREDIT: ASC ASC Culture Blocks Applications Due Monday
DEADLINE: Monday, Feb. 21 at noon
Local creatives are invited to apply for the Arts & Science Council’s Culture Blocks grants. Funded by Mecklenburg County, Culture Blocks support cultural events and experiences developed with neighborhood and resident involvement at community facilities such as libraries, recreation centers, parks and community spaces. The current round of funding is for individuals and creative organizations focused on arts, science or history with ideas for programs that will take place between April 1 and June 30 of this year. READ MORE AND APPLY.
YTAC Cohort 6 to Pay High School Students for eSports and Game Building
DEADLINE: Monday, Feb. 21 at noon
The Youth Technology Apprenticeship Camp (YTAC), sponsored and managed by Carolina FinTech Hub, is seeking students for its sixth cohort which will run Feb. 21 to March 11.
Students in ninth through 12th grades, as well as recent high school graduates, are invited to register. Students in the program will be paid to take part in professional eSports tournaments and competitions designed to build their programming and game development skills. Students in the program will be expected to devote 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to YTAC courses and networking events for the length of the program. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE.
AARP Community Challenge Open for Applications
DEADLINE: March 22 at 5 p.m.
Again this year, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has issued its annual Community Challenge. This program provides small grants “to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.” The current round is accepting submissions for ideas that address:
- Improving public spaces, transportation, housing and civic engagement
- Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion
- Building engagement for programs (under new Federal laws)
- Innovating ideas supporting those aged 50 or older
AARP reports that, while occasional grants of up to $50,000 have been awarded, the average grant awarded is $11,700. The application is extensive. We recommend reviewing it soon if you intend to apply. READ MORE AND APPLY HERE.
Creative Events
Celebrate Black Fashion at Urban Outfitters this Saturday
Saturday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Urban Outfitters at SouthPark Mall
In case you missed their event last Saturday, Crownkeepers is gathering another group of local artists – fashion designers and streetwear brands – for a pop-up event at Urban Outfitters in SouthPark Mall this Saturday. The event, created in celebration of Black History Month, will feature original fashion for purchase by:
- Black Smart Proud
- HBCU Pride Nation
- Q by JaQuan Thompson
- Ambitious Rebirth
- Westcott Studios
Visitors are also invited to bring art supplies for donation to Crownkeepers. The organization will distribute materials collected to “nurturing emerging artists in Charlotte at critical junctures in their artistic and professional development.” MORE INFORMATION HERE.
Handcrafted Pop-Up Market at Sycamore Brewing
Saturday, Feb. 18 from noon to 5 p.m.
2767 Hawkins St.
While you’re in the mood to support local makers on Saturday, stop by the HandCraftedMarketCLT pop-up event at Sycamore Brewing in South End before or after you head to SouthPark for the Crownkeepers’ pop-up at Urban Outfitters. More than 25 local makers will be on hand, as well as food trucks and live music. And, four-legged furry friends are invited, too. MORE INFORMATION HERE.
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