FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Darien Cropper
Phone: (919) 968-2829
Email: dcropper@townofchapelhill.org
NEW ARTS & CULTURE AWARD PROGRAM OFFERS FUNDING FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS, PROJECTS
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 18, 2023 – Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture is excited to announce the Town’s new Arts & Culture Award Program. The program will provide funding to local nonprofit organizations for arts and cultural projects that advance Community Arts & Culture’s mission of inspiring creativity and celebrating community.
The program will provide funding to Orange County nonprofits for three types of projects:
- Community festivals and large-scale special events
- Public art, such as murals, sculptures, and installations
- Art experiences, such as a series of workshops, a class, or a performance
Nonprofits must have an artist attached to the project and use part of the funding to pay that artist. Projects should connect to one or more community priorities, including community wellbeing, social justice, environmental justice, and youth engagement. While nonprofits from across Orange County are eligible, the projects must take place in Chapel Hill. Nonprofit agencies that focus on serving BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
Funding for the program was approved by Town Council as part of the annual budget process, in alignment with their strategic focus area of “Healthy & Inclusive Community.” Community Arts & Culture staff designed the program in consultation with other Town staff and the Cultural Arts Commission. Meeghan Rosen, Assistant Director for Community Arts & Culture, says, “We designed the program with equity in mind, along with our values of inclusion, experience, and understanding. We are excited to launch this and see what great projects come to our attention.”
Community Arts & Culture staff will host two information sessions via Zoom on Thursday, November 9 at 1 PM and Wednesday, November 29 at 6 PM. Registration information is available via their website.
Applications will be accepted via the Community Arts & Culture website until December 31, 2023. Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of Town staff, Commission members, local artists, and others who will recommend award recipients and amounts to Town Council. Awardees will be notified in April 2024 and projects will take shape between July 2024 and June 2025.
For more about the award program and Community Arts & Culture, visit chapelhillarts.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Community Arts & Culture is a division of the Town of Chapel Hill with a mission to inspire creativity and celebrate community for a better Chapel Hill.
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