CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nearly $1.2 million in Opportunity Fund grants will be going toward Charlotte area artists and cultural groups, according to the city of Charlotte.
It's being distributed by the City of Charlotte Arts and Culture Advisory Board.
The fund is designed to support projects and initiatives in line with the city's arts and culture plan.
"It is inspiring to see the creativity and ambition that fuels our arts and culture ecosystem and is so critical to vibrancy and character of our city and region," Priya Sircar, the city's arts and culture officer, said in part in a statement.
In the last two years, the Opportunity Fund has led to more than $2.7 million in investments.
Over 300 individuals and groups applied for the grants. Qualified applicants considered eligible were then asked to submit full proposals for their projects, and were offered free assistance from grant writing coaches to help build strong proposals to help all applicants with future fundraising efforts.
The selected awardees are as follows:
- Dammit Wesley: The Hunnid Dollar Art Fair, $25,000
- Gay Men's Chorus of Charlotte, Inc.: ActOUT Theater Company, $40,000
- Logan Phillips - Villa Heights Community Organization: Activation Studios, $34,000
- VisArt, Inc: VisArt's Affordable Creative Space Program, $34,348
- We Rock Charlotte: We Rock Together: Inclusive Venue Transformation, $40,000
- Charlotte Gaymers Network: Project Saturn, $24,000
- Charlotte Pride Band (CPB): Better Access Through Technology, $33,028.50
- Cine Casual: Charlotte Latino Film Festival (2nd Edition), $20,000
- Depeña Studio: Remote," $40,000
- Goodyear Arts: Goodyear Arts Space Development, $30,000
- Lion Services Inc.: Charlotte Braille Trail, $40,000
- Moving Spirits, Inc.: Echoes of Freedom, $40,000
- Osiris Rain: The TAOH Outdoor Gallery, $39,958
- Phoenix Down RPG: Campfire Tales, $38,252.50
- Que-OS/BOOM Charlotte: BOOM Echoes Expansion, $36,250
- RA Arts for All: Welcome Here, $38,600
- Smithville Community Coalition: Don't Lose Heart, $13,000
- ZABS PLACE: Inclusive Art Club, $35,000
- Carla Aaron-Lopez: 15 TO FAME: A Comedy Showcase for Local Legends, $25,000
- Piedmont Music Therapy: Music Therapy Workshop for Veterans & Caregivers, $9,215
- POTIONS & PIXELS NONPROFIT: Nexus: Where Art, Tech, and Gaming Converge, $40,000
- Queens University of Charlotte/Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement: The Connected Campus 2024- For the People: Democracy in Conversation, $40,000
- BraveWorks: Arts Skill Development and Workforce Development for Underserved Women, $40,000
- Elizabeth Palmisano: Charlotte Professional Teaching Artist Certification Program, $35,800
- InReach: Troupe 801, $29,390
- Lorien Academy of the Arts, Inc: After-School Art CLubs, $40,000
- Michelle Campbell-Gregory: Mural Warriors Cohort, $33,000
- My Brother's Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Creative Pathways: Empowering Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Production Workforce, $40,000
- Open Door Dance Foundation: Expand Movement Spring Showcase Expansion, $40,000
- Quincy Woodard: Intro to 3D Modeling Workshop, $6,400
- Steven of An Atelier: The Container Plaza design project, $40,000
- Sugar Creek Charter School: Sugar Creek Charter School Arts Growth Initiative, $40,000
- The Arts Empowerment Project: Artist Residency, $40,000
- The Greater Enrichment Program (w/ Lena Hopkins-Jackson): The Fahrenheit 704 Project," $20,836
In addition to the funds, recipients receive assistance from UNC Charlotte for measurement and evaluation of the relevant projects, and marketing support from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority for the projects.
The grants will be distributed in July.