Explore Gwinnett, the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County has awarded over $175,000 in funding for project grants through the 2024 Gwinnett Creativity Fund (GCF).
Now in its fifth year, the GCF Project Grant provides financial support to arts and cultural projects, initiatives and programming that enhance Gwinnett County’s economic development and further the community’s diverse cultural landscape.
New to the GCF this year is the Arts Micro Grant, specifically designed to support the art, music and theatre departments of Gwinnett County Public Schools, with a focus on middle schools.
“We are extremely pleased with the level of interest from various organizations and the diverse array of cultural opportunities showcased in our 2024 GCF projects,” said Lisa Anders, Explore Gwinnett’s executive director, who leads the Gwinnett Creativity Fund.
“From small to large organizations, our recipients are crafting immersive cultural experiences, designing community development programs and establishing arts education programs for the enjoyment of the entire community,” she said.
The 2024 GCF Project Grant Cycle received its highest number of applications in its five-year history, with four first-time applicants and a total of 23 exemplary projects submitted by community nonprofits. The cycle awarded over $150,000 in funding to the following recipients:
- African American Culture & Arts Festival
- Atlanta International Night Market, “Glow in the Park!”
- Aurora Theatre, “The Color Purple”
- Contemporary Classics Theatre, “Shakespeare in the Park”
- Fezziwig Foundation, Inc., “Anastasia the Musical”
- Fresh Films, Gwinnett Studio Tours & Career Bootcamps
- Georgia Latino Film Festival / Youth Cinema Summit
- Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, “Emerge 2024”
- Lionheart Theatre Company, “Lawless Spirits Ghost Tour”
- Live Arts Theatre Company, “Chicken & Biscuits”
- Norcross Gallery & Studios, Citywide Photography Contest
- Southeastern Railway Museum, Railway Photography Exhibition
- Spectrum Autism Support Group, Community Drum Circles
- Stone Mountain Chorus, Fall Show
- Sugarloaf Ballet, Inc., “Cinderella”
- Suwanee Arts Center, Suwanee Arts Festival Art Exhibition
- Suwanee Performing Arts, “Broadway in the Park”
- The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, Public Art Mural
- Urban Mediamakers Film Festival, Creative Kids Summer Camp
- Atlanta Taiwanese Association of America, Heritage Week
- Catrachos y Latinos, LLC, Fedue Noche Cultural
- Center of the European Experience, Annual Cultural Festival “Soul of Georgia”
- Sugarloaf Gwinnett Center, Tribute Series Part 1
Inspired by the community mural created with 2023 GCF funds by Lilburn Elementary School, Explore Gwinnett initiated the Arts Micro Grant to offer funding to Gwinnett Country Public Schools for arts, theatre, dance, musical supplies, instruments and other resources.
In its inaugural year, the GCF’s 2024 Arts Micro Grant Cycle awarded over $25,000 in funding to 17 Gwinnett County Public Schools, including:
- Baggett Elementary
- Coleman Middle School
- Duluth Middle School
- Five Forks Middle School
- Grace Snell Middle School
- Jordan Middle School
- Lanier Middle School
- Lilburn Elementary School
- Moore Middle School
- Northbrook Middle School
- North Metro Academy of Performing Arts
- Osborne Middle School
- Shiloh Middle School
- Snellville Middle School
- Starling Elementary
- Summerour Middle School
- Twin Rivers Middle School
“The Gwinnett Creativity Fund is just one element of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners’ continuous and overall commitment to supporting Gwinnett’s arts, culture and entertainment sectors,” said Nicole Love Hendrickson, chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
“We are pleased to see such a diverse range of grant recipients, showcasing the cultural vitality of our community,” she added.
For more details on the Gwinnett Creativity Fund, visit GwinnettCreativityFund.com.
Funding for the Gwinnett Creativity Fund is provided by Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners.
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