Arts Council Awards $24,100 In Mini Grants To Local Nonprofits And Individual Artists

[Fayetteville, North Carolina] – The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County (Arts Council) has awarded $24,100 in Mini Grants to thirteen nonprofit organizations and individual artists in Cumberland County for projects that take place in 2022.

Forty-six applications were submitted for the March 2022 Mini Grant cycle requesting $82,603 in funding - making this the most competitive cycle to date in this developing grant initiative. The Arts Council Board’s Grants Assessment Committee, chaired by Dr. Kenjuana McCray, met on Tuesday, April 6 for application reviews, in which thirteen applications were recommended for funding. On Tuesday, April 12, the Arts Council’s Board of Trustees voted on and accepted the recommendations awarding $24,100 in Mini Grants to nine nonprofit organizations and four individual artists.

“We are thrilled with both the tremendous growth and reach of the Mini Grant program throughout Cumberland County. The Arts Council looks forward to continuing to fund the arts, culture, and history projects produced by Cumberland County's vibrant artistic community,” says Bob Pinson, Interim President and CEO of the Arts Council.

The Mini Grant program was created in 2019 to help fund creative arts, culture, or history-based projects, activities, and events. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are supported in part by the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council. Mini Grants may support artist fees, project supplies and materials, contracted services, marketing and outreach expenses, equipment and facility rentals, and other project-related expenses.

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Funded Mini Grant projects approved in April include:

NONPROFITS

Circa 1865

Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Spring Lake celebrates African American culture and history commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The Mini Grant will fund the rental of a stage and sound equipment for musical performances.

Cool Spring Downtown District

Maxwell Street Mural Project expands into Phase II that places banners in the windows of the DBI warehouse. The Mini Grant will fund vinyl printing from Blashfield Sign Company.

Dogwood Festival

In April, the 40th Annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival was a three-day family-friendly festival featuring vendors, live entertainment, and more. The Mini Grant funded a downtown stage rental and artist fees for the Carolina Country Music Assoc.

Friendship Community Garden

Local artist, Pandy Autry, will enhance the Friendship Community Garden facilities with a Mural at their main garden site on 1012 Turnpike Road. The Mini Grant will fund artist fees and supplies.

The Gilbert Theater

Langston Blues is a stage play of “inner-city struggle” performing on Juneteenth weekend. The Mini Grant will fund the local hotel stay for out-of-town actors.

Greater Life of Fayetteville

I Am YOU-nique is a Youth Summer Camp held at the Historical Orange Street School. The Mini Grant will fund art supplies for youth-created art projects in the “Through My Eyes” portion of the camp.

Rick Herrema Foundation

Messy Mondays is a series for Military Children to paint while practicing imagination, developing art skills, and building self-confidence. The Mini Grant will fund Kid Create Studio, painting supplies, and artist fees to lead the series.

Seth’s Wish

Seth’s Wish has opened an Art Studio for unhoused individuals. The general public was invited to an Open House where all proceeds from the sale of artwork went to the artists. The Mini Grant funded art supplies.

YMCA of Sandhills – Fayetteville Branch

YMCA Youth Summer Camp 2022 themed “The Greatest Showman” is for children who want an active and adventurous summer experience. The Mini Grant will fund art supplies through Kid Create Studios.

ARTISTS

Aaron Brown

The local comedian will host a Comedy Show at Flavors in August. The Mini Grant will fund artist fees for Cumberland County comedians and a local DJ.

Crystal McClean

The author of a series of finance-themed story books for children will host a Financial Literacy Art Workshop using artful creativity to help build financial competency. The Mini Grant will fund craft supplies, literary artist fees, and space rental.

Jonathan Kiebon

The musician-activist presented the Artists for Autism Awareness event held at the Fayetteville Café and Bakery that built autism awareness using art as a creative stimulant. The Mini Grant funded musician fees and sound equipment rental.

Tashonda McCormick

The author and Special Education Teacher hosts a Youth Summer Read-Aloud Program for children to creatively explore the world through the pages of a book. The Mini Grant will fund crafts supplies, books, and space rental.

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APPLY FOR A MINI GRANT

Interested applicants that meet eligibility requirements may apply for a Mini Grant from the Arts Council.

The NEXT APPLICATION DEADLINE is Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Download the complete Mini Grant Guidelines and Application at www.theartscouncil.com/mini-grants.

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ATTEND A MINI GRANT WORKSHOP – INFO SESSION

The Mini Grant Workshop is an informational session to learn about the Grant Application Process, Program Guidelines, Workshop Writing Samples, and Q&A. RSVP is required to attend.

For Individual Artist Applicants:

RSVP for Monday, May 23, 2022 @ 5:30pm Workshop

The Arts Center, 301 Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville

Contact SarahB@theartscouncil.com or call 910-323-1776 ext 1011

For Nonprofit and Municipal Entity Applicants:

RSVP for Monday, May 23, 2022 @ 12:00pm Workshop

The Arts Center, 301 Hay Street in Downtown Fayetteville

Contact SarahB@theartscouncil.com or call 910-323-1776 ext 1011

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ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF FAYETTEVILLE | CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the ARTS. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify our 5 core values: Excellence, Accountability, transparency, collaborations, and Innovation. theartscouncil.com

Since 1973, the Arts Council has served as a link between artists, arts and cultural organizations, and the greater community by administering programs in partnership with a variety of local agencies to help advance community and economic growth, stimulate tourism, reinforce child education through the ARTS, and enhance the cultural identity of the arts and entertainment district. Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. ncarts.org