Explore Gwinnett announced it awarded nearly $200,000 in funding for project and operational grants through the 2023 Gwinnett Creativity Fund (GCF).
Now in its fourth year, the GCF provides financial support to arts and cultural organizations that boost Gwinnett County’s economic development and further the community’s diverse cultural scene through funding from Gwinnett County.
Two types of grants are offered through the program — project grants and operation grants. Project grants support arts and cultural projects, initiatives or programming, while operations grants support the arts organization’s overall mission, rather than specific initiatives.
“We are fortunate to be part of a community with such a flourishing arts and culture scene, and we commend all who applied for a GCF grant this year, as the efforts put forth were fantastic,” said Lisa Anders, Explore Gwinnett‘s executive director.
“The contributions of the local organizations who received a grant in 2023 have made a profound impact on our community’s well-being, cultural growth and vitality. The Gwinnett Creativity Fund is a partnership with the support of Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, and it’s truly an honor and privilege to support the area’s talented individuals and groups each year through the Gwinnett Creativity Fund,” said Anders.
The GCF’s 2023 Operations Grant Cycle awarded a total of $74,000 in funding for seven arts and culture organizations. Operations Grant recipients include Atlanta Harmony Celebration, Aurora Theatre, The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, Lionheart Theatre, Live Arts Theatre, Suwanee Arts Center and Weird Sisters Theatre Project.
Tanya Gilmer, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Lionheart Theatre, was ecstatic to have received the Operation Grant for the third year in a row for the theatre.
“Our company learned the news the first of this month and received the big check soon after,” said Gilmer. “The funds have been earmarked for our Summer Camps, our production of The House at Pooh Corner in July and the purchase of upgraded lighting equipment.”
The GCF’s 2023 Project Grant Cycle awarded a total of $109,000 in funding for 17 arts and cultural projects that will take place in 2023. Project Grant recipients include:
African American Culture & Arts, Annual Festival; Aurora Theatre, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”; Fezziwig Foundation, “Into the Woods”; Fresh Films, Summer Creative Cred Workshops; Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, “Nutcracker”; Gwinnett Classic Theatre, “Waiting for Lefty”; The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, Permanent Collection Project; JapanFest; Norcross Gallery & Studios, Citywide Photo Contest; Lilburn Elementary School, Inclusive Playground Mural; Live Arts Theatre, “The Taming”; Spectrum Autism Support Group, Autism-Friendly Arts and Musical Playground; Sugarloaf Ballet, “Hansel and Gretel”; Suwanee Arts Center, Summer Art Camps; Suwanee Performing Arts, “Broadway in the Park”; Suwanee Public Arts Commission, “Pierce’s Corner Mural”; and Weird Sisters Theatre Project, “Pros and Cons of Killing Your Cult Leader”.
Anne Hall, from Norcross Gallery & Studios, was notified along with her team a few weeks ago the gallery would be receiving $3,000 in funding for their citywide photo contest.
“Our project is really ambitious — we want everyone in the 6.17 square miles in the City of Norcross to go out, take pictures during the 4th of July holiday weekend and submit them free of charge to our website,” said Hall. “Then, we will display the photos of people celebrating friends, family, fireworks and fun all through the city during the month of ‘Artober.’ We hope for hundreds!”
The gallery also received a grant from the GCF last year, which allowed them to tell the story of what the gallery is and how those at the gallery serve.
“We really appreciate the strong support from the GCF,” said Hall. “They have provided some much needed funding as we have rebuilt following all the aftereffects of the pandemic on a small, all-volunteer organization of artists for artists.”
“We invite and encourage local arts and culture organizations that have not yet participated in the GCF’s grant application process to apply for funding next year, as we push forward to continue our collective mission of further enhancing the county’s already dynamic cultural landscape,” said Anders.
Find more details on the Gwinnett Creativity Fund here.
Get additional info on Explore Gwinnett here.
