Columbia County Sponsors Initiative to Support Emerging Artists
Catskill, New York, July 5, 2024 – CREATE Council On The Arts is pleased to announce the second annual launch of the Creative Catalyst Grant program for emerging artists prioritizing those with limited income in Columbia County. The initiative, sponsored by the Columbia County government, will award 9 individual artists chosen by lottery the opportunity to receive grants of $1,000 each.
Funds can be used towards creation of new work or completion of a project. This grant\’s objective is to support artists in developing their work and to individually determine how best to allocate the money for this purpose. Previous grantee, artist Pauline DeCarmo of Hudson shared, “This grant funding allowed me to rent a large, local art studio. The spacious studio provided me with the much needed space to create work for the various exhibitions I\’ve been invited to show in this summer. The funding significantly eased my concerns regarding how I would pay for and find the space to make new art work for my 2024 shows. Without this valuable grant, I would most likely [have] had to reject the numerous invitations I received to exhibit this year.”
To be eligible to enter the Creative Catalyst Grant lottery, applicants must be a Columbia County resident, provide proof of their artistic activities and personal income as well as a reference from an engaged member of the local arts community in the form of a letter, audio or video submission. Priority will be given to applicants with limited income by allocating 7 of 9 awards to applicants whose income is within 80% median of Columbia County and below. The commission must also result in the sponsored work being publicly visible in some form. Groups, collectives and students are not eligible for this program. (For specific eligibility criteria, see below this press release)
The window to apply for entry is July 5, 2024 to August 21, 2024. The awards will be announced by September 4, 2024. A grant ceremony will be held on September 18, 2024 at the Claverack Library.
To apply, visit: createcouncil.org
CREATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS is a nonprofit, arts service organization whose purpose is to support and advance the arts and cultural community by broadening and enriching creative resources and economic growth in the region. CREATE serves as the Statewide Community Re-grant arts organization for Greene, Columbia and Schoharie Counties.