TheBiscuitJune212024
Funding Open for Arts & Culture Nonprofits and Businesses
While there are still many questions to be answered about the map of arts funding in the Queen City and about how the comprehensive Arts & Culture Plan will be implemented moving forward, there are some signs of encouragement of late.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: If you haven’t yet read the Arts & Culture plan, please do so. Here’s a short version. We plan to reference the plan frequently. And, we know many others who contributed to it plan to do the same.]
Last Monday (06/10/24), Charlotte City Council adopted the FY 2025 budget, which included $11 million dedicated to arts and culture. Likewise, Mecklenburg County included $5.4 million in their approved FY 2025 to advance workforce development through the arts and culture plan.
As new developments arise about the future of arts funding , we will share it. But, in the meantime …
Two large grant opportunities are entering their third rounds of funding – the Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund and the Beyond Open grant. And, we at Charlotte Is Creative, publishers of The Biscuit, invite visual artists to apply for a free, four-month mini-residency at a studio in the McColl Center. More below.
FUNDING: 2024 Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund Now Open
DEADLINE: Aug. 9
APPLY: Click here.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has opened the third round of the 2024 Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund in Charlotte. This fund offers significant financial support to Charlotte-based artists, arts collectives, and nonprofit arts organizations aiming to expand their capabilities through technology. Since its launch in 2022, the fund has awarded $2 million to 52 local artists and arts organizations.
“We invest in programs that support innovation in the arts because technology enables artists and practitioners to experiment, attract new audiences, and broaden their reach,” said Koven Smith, senior director of arts at Knight Foundation.
Eligible funding includes hardware/software, infrastructure, staffing, web/app development, and digitization projects.
Fund Details:
- Total Annual Fund: $1 million
- Individual Artists: Up to $25,000
- Arts Organizations: Up to $100,000
Recommended Next Steps:
Funding from this grant can address needs ranging from software and technological equipment to staff and contract help. If the past two rounds are indicators, competition will be strong. We suggest:
- Review possible uses for these funds. MORE INFO.
- Book a 15-minute meeting with a member of the Knight Arts team to discuss your application: MORE INFO.
- Begin working on your application NOW: MORE INFO.
FUNDING: Beyond Open CLT Round 3 Opens Soon
OPEN DATE: Aug. 5
DEADLINE: Aug. 30
APPLY: CLICK HERE.
While the third and the final planned round of Beyond Open CLT does not open until August 5, preparation materials are now available for review. The total fund is up to $5 million, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.
Since launching in 2022, Beyond Open has distributed over $10 million to small businesses and nonprofits in Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity. Beyond Open is administered by FFTC Partners For Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of Foundation For The Carolinas. The program is made possible by support from the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund.
As in previous cycles, Beyond Open is a small business grant program dedicated to building economic mobility in the Charlotte community. It is focused on providing critical funding support for diverse-owned (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities) small businesses located within the City of Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity. Nonprofit organizations are ineligible to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least one year of operation by Aug. 5, 2023
- For-profit organizations and businesses
- Annual revenue between $30k and $5M
- Fewer than 200 employees
Eligible uses for Beyond Open funds include office equipment, renovations, infrastructure, technology upgrades and major purchases.
Recommended Next Steps:
Do not sleep on Beyond Open. It may be two months before applications are due, but this grant takes time to prepare properly. And, it may be the last of its kind for a while. We suggest you:
- Make sure you are eligible. MORE INFO.
- Make sure you are in a Corridor of Opportunity. MORE INFO.
- Attend an online information session: MORE INFO.
- Read the Round 3 Application Guide: MORE INFO.
SPACE: Apply for Free Studio Space at McColl Center
DEADLINE: June 24
APPLY: CLICK HERE.
Charlotte Is Creative, in partnership with the McColl Center, is paying for one visual artist to enjoy four months of free studio space from July to October of this year. The artist selected will have access to a private studio, the McColl Center community and resources and equipment for printmaking, sculpture, ceramic, 3-D and media equipment.
While many opportunities funded by Charlotte Is Creative are open to a wide array of artistic disciplines, the McColl Center Studios are not designed for all purposes. This grant is not open to applications seeking studio space for:
- Podcast production/sound recording
- Performing arts rehearsal
- Photo and video editing
- Crafting and retail art sales
Whitfield Lovell: Passages Opening at The Mint Museum Uptown
OPENING: June 29
LOCATION: 500 S. Tryon St.
Next weekend, the Mint Museum Uptown opens the immersive Whitfield Lovell: Passage, an exhibition which features work from two of the artist’s previous collections as well as selections from a forthcoming exhibition. Much of the work was inspired by photographs of African Americans taken between the time of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights movement.
Organized with the American Federation of Arts, this exhibition explores African American history through intricate drawings and multisensory installations. Charlotte is one of only six locations in the U.S. to play host to this exhibition, which will fill galleries on two levels of the museum.
These works evoke personal and collective memories, reflecting themes of equality and social progress. Admission is free on opening weekend, June 29 and 30, and on Wednesdays from 5-9 p.m. See examples of featured work in this exhibition here.
SPECIAL PRE-OPENING EVENT
DATE: June 27 at 7:15 p.m.
Before Charlotteans see the work, they are invited to an intimate “Artist Talk” between Whitfield Lovell himself and the Mint’s Chief Curator, Jen Sudul Edwards, PhD, about his work. For art aficionados and local creatives, this event offers a unique and personal opportunity to hear Lovell’s passion and creative creative process. Admission to this event is free. MORE INFO.
Drop into The Drop!
DATE: June 28 at 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 3701 N Davidson St.
It’s time again to drop the curtain on a hot new work of art and a brand new canned craft beer at Divine Barrel Brewing.
Next Thursday, Charlotte Is Creative, in partnership with Historic West End Partners, is unveiling a 12-foot mural created by local artists Abel Jackson and Julian Kidd, honoring Queen City legend Rudean Harris. [READ & LISTEN: Enjoy this story and podcast on Harris from a 2022 batch of The Biscuit.]
Divine Barrel will also reveal the new Drop Series Beer, featuring a work of art created by Tiara Tiana on behalf of the Applesauce Group earlier this year. The event will feature cold beer, live music, a live DJ, a food truck and the opportunity to meet the artists involved. BONUS: You can buy cold four-packs of the latest version of the Drop Series brew!
FUNDRAISER: Robert E. Bush, Jr. Art Collection Auction
AUCTION OPENS: July 15
AUCTION LINK: CLICK HERE.
The personal art collection of Robert E. Bush, Jr., a Hickory native and former president of the Arts & Science Council (ASC) who passed away in 2022, will be auctioned online. The online auction will be open for seven days – from 10 a.m. on July 15 to 11:45 p.m. on July 21.
Bush built his personal collection over the force of 40 years. It features work from celebrated artists like Burlon Craig, Herb Jackson, Willie Little, Juan Logan, Wan Marsh, Ben Owen III and Richard Stenhouse. Art values range from $25 to $12,000.
“His generosity of spirit is reflected in the collection he built for his own enjoyment while also supporting artists,” said consulting curator Carla Hanzal.
Proceeds will benefit the Robert E. Bush, Jr. Endowment Fund for ASC, supporting community-based arts and culture programs.
The giraffe statues by Benjamin Ian Parrish are back in the public eye. After a brief stay in a South End pocket park, they’re now in the median across from their original location on East Blvd.
We are thrilled to see this creative duo gracing the streets again; remember to use the crosswalk when visiting.