Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County awarding more than $1.1M to artists and nonprofits in the new year

By Staff Report, posted Jan 2, 2024 on BizFayetteville.com

Image courtesy of The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is on track to award almost $1.2 million in grants and allocations to artists, municipal entities and nonprofit organizations in the new year.

One of the organization’s primary goals since its formation has been to infuse money into the creative economy in Cumberland County as a facilitator for artists and arts/culture nonprofit organizations. By leveraging local support from Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville, the Arts Council has grown the capacity of the local arts organizations to elevate Fayetteville as a tourist destination in the region. With ten grant and allocation programs online in 2024, the Arts Council has expanded access to individual artists and arts/culture nonprofits in ways not previously available in the region.

“This is an exciting new year for the Arts Council,” said Kennon Jackson, Chief of Staff, in a press release. “The Arts Council and its Board, staff and community partners are fully celebrating the 50 years of hard work that so many have put into growing the creative community in Cumberland County.”

Two hallmark grant opportunities available in early 2024 that will deepen and expand connections between artists, organizations and communities include the Project Support Grant and new Creative Placemaking Grant initiatives.

With guidelines already posted and applications opening on Jan. 15, Project Support Grants increase Art, Culture, and/or History-focused programming in Cumberland County. The 501(c) organizations who meet the eligibility requirements may request grant funds to support up to three distinct program activities for $15,000 each in the coming year. Projects may fall into one or more of six grant tracts, including the following: Series Support, Inclusive Outreach, Education, Military Arts, Cultural Tourism, and Collaborative Projects. Arts Council staff will offer workshops to new and returning applicants beginning in late January 2024. Guidelines, workshop information, and the Project Support Grant application portal are available on the Arts Council’s website.

New in 2024 is the Arts Council’s pilot Creative Placemaking Grant Program. The mission of the Creative Placemaking Grant is to provide support for collaborative partnerships that build capacity by engaging a community, district or neighborhood through Public Art strategies that enhance economic development and advocate for social and environmental change. The pilot initiative will award up to five $10,000 grants in early 2024. Successful Creative Placemaking initiatives will challenge the spaces they inhabit in new and innovative ways. They will also activate underserved populations and geographic regions within Cumberland County while demonstrating the importance of public art as a catalyst for progress. Interested 501(c) eligible organizations and municipal entities are encouraged to discuss their proposed Creative Placemaking opportunity with Arts Council staff. Guidelines, additional information, and the application portal are available on the Arts Council’s website. Letters of Intent (LOI’s) for Creative Placemaking Grants are due by Jan. 26.

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is also currently accepting applications for its third quarter FY24 Mini Grants Program through Feb. 1.

Applicants may learn more about grant guidelines, frequently asked questions, and more on the Arts Council’s website.

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