CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte is continuing to lend a hand to artists and culture groups in Mecklenburg County, announcing plans to give thousands of dollars in grants to support the arts.
The money is coming from the Infusion Fund, a public-private partnership through the city and the Foundation for the Carolinas. It will give chosen applicants up to $40,000. City leaders said the grants align with its recently approved Charlotte Arts and Culture Plan. Priya Sircar said this is a way for the city to work with artists and keep the medium alive.
“It's important that we keep supporting arts and culture through our projects like this opportunity fund, through things that people can do in their own neighborhoods," Siracr said.
This isn't the first time they've handed out grants.
Sitting at the piano at We Rock Charlotte, a student and teacher work together in harmony. With each note, Joscelyne Hauserman is helping Luca Daniels find her pitch. She's gaining more than just her musical ability, but also a sense of belonging.
Krystle Baller, the creative director of We Rock Charlotte, says the business has steadily grown from humble beginnings over the past 10 years.
"It is a great outlet for a lot of people," Baller said. "We have changed lots of lives. We started as just one summer camp and it’s grown into all these programs.”
As Jocelyne believes in Luca, Baller said they too needed to be believed in. The city of Charlotte then matched their pitch to the tune of $20,000 through the Infusion Fund.
"It's really nice to see the city step up and provide this influx of money into the arts," Baller said.
We Rock Charlotte received enough money to amplify their mission by adding programs tailored to LGBTQ youth and scholarship funds for students to learn.
"We couldn’t do programs like that without funding," Baller said.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.