Forge Greensboro receives Relief Grant from ArtsGreensboro

Greensboro, NC  (April 7, 2021) -- ArtsGreensboro has announced that twenty organizations have been awarded Relief Grants to help organizations recover and plan for post-pandemic openings. The grants were funded through the ArtsFund and other reserve dollars.

This funding provides additional relief dollars as organizations provide online and in-person programming and support post-pandemic live program planning. Grants range from $20,000 to $9,000 and are unrestricted.

The review panel included Andre Minkins, Creator of the National Black Theater Festival + Consultant for national touring Theater and Associate Professor, WSSU, Cynthia Deis, Triangle Arts Education Director, Ignacio Barron Viela, Executive Director Billings Symphony, Tamaki Onishi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, MPA/Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Programs, Stephanie Moore, Executive Director, Center for Craft, and Nancy Doll, Executive Director (retired), Weatherspoon Art Museum, and ArtsGreensboro Board Member.

Jeff Carlson, Executive Director at Bel Canto, commented, "ArtsGreensboro's relief funding is exceptionally important at this moment – they are essential to bridging the revenue gap caused by the pandemic. The funds from this grant provide invaluable resources to reinvent our programming, address issues of access and equity, strengthen existing community partnerships, and seek out new strategic collaborations."

ArtsGreensboro Relief Grantees:

African American Atelier, Inc.

Bel Canto Company

Carolina Theatre of Greensboro, Inc

Center for Visual Artists (The CVA)

Community Theatre of Greensboro

Creative Aging Network-NC

Dance Project, Inc

Eastern Music Festival, Inc.

Elsewhere

Forge Greensboro

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art

Greensboro Ballet

Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc.

Greensboro Literary Organization

Greensboro Opera

Music for a Great Space

North Carolina Folk Festival

Piedmont Blues Preservation Society

The Music Academy of North Carolina

Triad Stage

Forge Greensboro intends on growing their Shop Mentor Program, our longest running program.  We are expanding the number of mentors in our community, as well as adding 3 Shop Lead positions.  Our Mentors and Shop Leads are tasked with assisting members with projects, helping with maintenance, and teaching classes.  Most importantly, they are the gatekeepers for members to efficient training measures to make sure everyone is safe in our space.

On the other hand, this program is a great career development opportunity for makers in all stages of their career.  The Forge is planning on helping them sell their wares, grow their reach, and meet personal goals for their maker practice.