FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Mollie LaFavers
mlafavers@fundforthearts.org
859.324.0181
FUND FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES BLACK ARTIST FUND AND COVID-19 RELIEF GRANT FOR BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS RECIPIENTS
LOUISVILLE, KY (September 10, 2020) – Fund for the Arts (FFTA) announced awardees of two important new grants – the Black Artists Fund Grants and the COVID-19 Relief Grants for Black-Owned Restaurants. An investment of $131,000 was made through these grants to a total of 33 Black artists and Black-owned culinary institutions in Greater Louisville. One of Fund for the Arts’ top priorities is supporting a full creative life for all and championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable community. Each of these grants is an opportunity to further the Fund’s mission and strengthen the impact of the arts on the Greater Louisville community.
The Black Artists Fund is an initiative to provide grants to fund new works created by Black artists to celebrate, build awareness, and amplify the creations of the many talented Black artists in Greater Louisville. The Black Artists Fund provides grants to Black artists for the creation of new work across all disciplines and styles including dance, music, design, theatre, visual arts, literary arts, etc. At this moment in time, to assist in achieving a thriving, vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community, FFTA is committed to investing in, lifting up, and celebrating the voices and work of Black artists.
Black Artists Fund awardee Ton’nea Green said, “As an artist that just began her career under two years ago, this grant will allow me to make a consistent body of work. I will not have to use whatever materials I have on hand, but will be able to get exactly what I need.”
Of the 88 artists who submitted Black Artists Fund Grant applications, 28 will receive a $2,000 grant.
Fund for the Arts is also committed to lifting up and celebrating our community’s Black-owned culinary arts institutions. Through the COVID-19 Relief Grants for Black-Owned Restaurants, Black-owned culinary institutions that are pillars in the Greater Louisville community have access to critical financial assistance during these unprecedented times. These grants provide funds to small, independent, Black-owned restaurants that, due to the COVID-19 national disaster, have an immediate need for funds to pay fixed operating expenses and remain in business.
Darnell Ferguson, Founder and Chef of SuperChefs said, “We are really appreciative of being chosen for this grant. It gives us a lifeline that can help us make it through these challenging times. Thank you to the Fund for the Arts for thinking about us in these times, this means more than you will ever know!”
Of the 28 culinary institutions who submitted COVID-19 Relief Grant applications, five will receive a $15,000 grant.
Fund for the Arts President and CEO Christen Boone said, “in Greater Louisville alone we have so many incredibly talented Black artists and Black-owned restaurants and at Fund for the Arts we are committed to lifting up their voices. One of our core values at the Fund is ensuring equitable arts access for all and these grants are a great opportunity to further that mission. All of the artists and culinary institutions receiving these grants have already done so much great work in our community and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Congratulations to the following Black Artists Fund grant recipients.
Albert Shumake
Alonzo Ramont
Ansyn Banks
Charles Rice
D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D. Dance Company
Darren Harbour
DéQuan Tunstull
Descendants (by 1200 LLC)
Ed White
Erica E Rucker
Fairen Kia
Harlina Trumbo
Janelle Renee Dunn
Jasemine “Jazzy J” Reed
Joan Brannon
Kenneth Coleman aka Nipsey Green
Kiana Benhoff
KY Elite Step Team
Larry Muhammad
Minda Reves aka Minda Honey
Norman Spencer
Paula O. Lockhart
Producing A Kind Generation
Rheonna Nicole Lipstick Wars Poetry
Slam/Louisville Literary Arts Collective
The Griot Project
Tomisha Lovely-Allen
Ton’nea Green
Toya Northington
Congratulations to the following recipients of COVID-19 Relief Grants for Black-Owned Restaurants.
Big Mommas Soul Food Kitchen
Hip Hop Sweet Shop
Six Forks Burger Company
Superchefs
Virtue
About Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts is a regional nonprofit with the mission to maximize the impact of the arts on economic development, education, and quality of life in our community. The Fund is a convener, promoter, leader, and driver of Imagine Greater Louisville 2020, the region’s arts and cultural plan. It facilitates the largest arts grant program in Kentucky as well as conducts one of the oldest united arts campaigns in the country. For more information, visit www.fundforthearts.org
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