Grants
Creative County Initiative Grants: A Look Back at Past Recipients
The Essex County Community Foundation's Creative County Initiative (CCI) has a history of offering diverse grant programs to support and nurture our vibrant arts community. While there are currently no open grant applications, we'd like to showcase the impact of our past funding initiatives. This page provides a recap of our previous grant programs and their recipients, including the Last Mile Fund, which provided crucial support for individual artists' specific needs; the ALAANA Artist Grants, which focused on supporting artists who identify as African, Latine, Asian, Arab, or Native American; and the Special Projects grants, which funded innovative aspects of larger programs. These grants collectively fostered creativity, promoted inclusivity, and strengthened the cultural fabric of Essex County. By highlighting these past initiatives, we hope to illustrate the breadth of artistic endeavors supported by CCI and inspire future creative projects in our community. For information on potential future grant opportunities, please subscribe to our newsletter.
2023- 2024 Grantee Information
Creative County Initiative The Last Mile Fund
The Last Mile Fund was designed to support individual artists with small, specific needs that could significantly impact their artistic careers. This fund recognized that sometimes a small amount of funding could be crucial to an artist's ability to take advantage of opportunities or further their professional development.
Administered by Rocky Neck Arts Community, this fund facilitated funding to individuals for various purposes that could advance their artistic careers.
Key Focus Areas
- Capacity building and Professional Development: Funding for workshop fees for individuals or groups
- Increasing access to artist opportunities: Support for responding to calls for art, covering vendor market fees, etc.
How The Last Mile Fund Was Used
Grantees used the funding for a wide variety of purposes, including:
Visual Arts
- Purchase of art supplies (oil paint, canvas, etc.)
- Frame artwork for upcoming art shows
- Professional framing for pastel and watercolor work
- Installation of ceramic kiln support
- Supplies for public art and mural installations
- Materials for multi-generational art shows
- Create public art displays
- Professional photography of artwork
- Attend ceramics and mosaics workshops
- Cover photovoice exhibition costs including displays and framing
Performing Arts
- Venue costs for artist showcases and music performances
- Sound equipment for performances
- Hiring musicians for band pieces and recordings
- Support for participation in events like Newburyport Shanties 2023
- Participate in national dance competitions (registration and travel)
- Advanced training for specialized dance instruction, including Dance for PD®
Literary Arts
- Promotion of new poetry publication "VOZ", including event travel
- Submitting new poetry manuscripts to multiple presses
- Cover costs of submitting to literary competitions
- Rent space for a poetry series
- Master's program Creative Writing classes
Fashion and Textile Arts
- Fabric and notions for making clothes for a ready-to-wear collection
- Fees and materials for fashion shows
- Materials for the completion of ready-to-wear collections
Film and Photography
- Post-production for documentaries (colorizing, sound mixing, licensing)
- Camera rentals and hiring local crew for film projects
- Produce short documentaries
- Host film festivals, including paying local performers
- Organize photography showcases for underrepresented groups
Mixed Media and Interdisciplinary
- Support for solo exhibitions and showcase events
- Materials for the completion of various artistic projects
- Support for virtual life drawing events
Professional Development and Career Advancement
- Business coaching sessions
- Attend online workshops with renowned artists
- Cover part of an online painting course
- Submission and membership fees for professional development workshops
- Strengthen operational capacity and expand impact for various projects
- Marketing for events and stipends for collaborating artists
Event Participation and Sales
- Mini tour travel expenses
- Transportation costs for events and performances
- Support for students for vendor spaces
- Assistance with display fees for events like Salem Arts Festival
- Participation in shows like MASS Art x Montserrat
- Culinary participation in Diversity Festival
- Fees for pop-up events and receptions
- Support for showcasing at cultural events
- Fulfilling orders for art merchandise to sell at markets
- Cover supplies and fees for vendor markets
Space and Equipment
- Soundproofing for a small studio
- Rental of space and supplies for teaching art classes
- Signage for artist branding, such as at Madfish Wharf / Rocky Neck
Other Support
- Travel and childcare costs related to artistic pursuits
- Promotional materials for events like El Mercado at El Taller
Note: Due to the nature of this grant, specific grantee names were not disclosed. The fund aimed to provide crucial support to individual artists in their creative endeavors and professional growth.
Creative County Initiative ALAANA Artist Grants
ECCF's Creative County Initiative (CCI) is pleased to expand the inclusivity of its grant making by funding new works or works in process in any artistic medium by artists who identify as ALAANA (African, Latine, Asian, Arab, Native American).
CCI's ALAANA Artist Grants will support the development of creative works or works in process by ALAANA artists, recognizing their historic and systemic exclusion from accessing resources to make creative work.
Support for Grantees
ALAANA Artist grantees will receive technical, promotional, and partnership support from ECCF/Creative County throughout the course of the project. As needed, this will include:
- Office hours with CCI staff and consultants
- Promotional and marketing support
- Artist profile and video hosting through the Creative County Vimeo channel
2023 Grantees
Sunil Gulab
Project: Lynn Seniors African Art workshops
Description: Workshops and creation of a large 48"x60" piece to hang at the Lynn Senior Center
Y-Binh Nguyen
Project: Identity Exploration
Description: Creative exploration of artist's identity through research, writing, and travel
Edwin Cabrera
Project: Lynn Hip Hop Documentary
Description: Support the completion of Lynn Hip Hop Documentary
uBuyile Narwele
Project: #SIDELINES
Description: New choreographic work #SIDELINES through African Street Dance Initiative
Rixy
Project: Public Art with Elevated Thought
Description: Public Art making with Elevated Thought
Raquel Jimenez
Project: Community Dream Pop-ups
Description: Art making and activities at Lynn Museum/ Lynn Arts
James "Jayvie" Mora
Project: Book Publication & Launch
Description: Support for book publication and launch event
Linda Mullen
Project: Family and Indigenous Ancestry Exploration
Description: Artistic exploration of family and indigenous ancestry
2024 Grantees
Julia Cseko (she/they) - Salem
Project: Art Installation
Description: Covering the cost of materials (custom printed ribbons), moving truck, art handlers, installation, speakers/storytellers, and paid interns
Wanntha Sim Chanhdymany (she/her) - Lynn
Project: Cambodian Culture Crew dance group
Description: Space rental, choreographer, costumes/props, mileage, hair/makeup, incentives for student performers
Jah'Nyah Spencer (she/her) - Lynn
Project: Music Production - "Sentiments"
Description: Debuting as a music artist - Producing a song, "Sentiments," that will encourage young women / femme youth to carry on through tough times. Seeking a vocal coach, and then sound engineers to produce the song, work w local artists to promote
Amanda Beard Garcia (she/they) - Dracut
Project: Painting Series on Chinese-American Identity
Description: Painting series that reclaims and repaints their Chinese-American identity by investigating the invisible history and heritage of her ancestors
Madeline (Maddie) Lam (she/her) - Malden/Lynn
Project: Music as Spiritual Community Care
Description: Blending Sonic Ancestry with Modern Cultural Soundscapes recording a full live album of twelve original songs at Lynn Music Foundation with a band
Creative County Initiative - Special Projects Grants
About Special Projects Grants
The Special Projects Grants, a cornerstone of Essex County Community Foundation's Creative County Initiative (CCI), are designed to spark innovation and catalyze transformative artistic endeavors across Essex County. These grants support uniquely creative aspects of overall programs, fostering cultural vibrancy and community engagement through the arts. By funding projects that push boundaries and explore new possibilities, the Special Projects Grants play a crucial role in advancing CCI's mission to elevate arts and culture as essential components of community life, economic vitality, and collective well-being.
From public art installations that reimagine shared spaces, to innovative programs that bridge cultural divides, these grants empower artists, cultural organizations, and community groups to bring their most ambitious and impactful ideas to life. The Special Projects Grants prioritize initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that the transformative power of the arts reaches all corners of our community. By supporting a wide range of disciplines—including visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and interdisciplinary projects—these grants contribute to a rich and varied cultural landscape that reflects the diversity and creativity of Essex County.
Each year, the Special Projects Grants fund a remarkable array of initiatives, from youth-focused arts education programs to large-scale public art projects, from innovative theater productions to community-driven cultural festivals. These projects not only enrich the cultural fabric of our region but also foster community connections, promote dialogue, and inspire collective imagination. Through these grants, CCI continues to invest in the power of creativity to drive positive change, build community resilience, and shape a vibrant, inclusive future for Essex County.
Special Project funding through Essex County Community Foundation's Creative County Initiative is available for a uniquely innovative aspect of an overall program within these general categories.
2023 Grantees
Rockport Music
Project: Writing a Musical History
Description: Youth voices in writing songs about where they live with showcases at Shalin Liu and other sites.
North Shore Children's Museum
Project: On The Road
Description: Mobile Museum Exhibit with artwork on van, eliminating barriers to experiencing their exhibits and costs of field trips for communities ~1hr from Peabody.
Andover Center for History & Culture
Project: Andover Illuminates
Description: Illumination of significant locations in Andover with a culminating event in Spring or Fall 2024 including light, art, performance and celebration.
ILearnAmerica
Project: CompARTimos, An Immigrant Story Trail
Description: Public artmaking and creative placemaking with immigrant youth on Spicket River Greenway. Bilingual storytelling in 2023 transformed into large-scale public art by the Spring 2024.
SmokeSygnals, the City of Gloucester, Cape Ann Museum, Discover Gloucester, and Gloucester 400+ Committee
Project: Native Waters; Native Lands: A Muhsh8n and Wetu in Gloucester
Description: Native Storytelling in two heavily trafficked venues to raise awareness and hospitality of Gloucester for Native residents and artists.
City of Newburyport
Project: Newburyport Murals: We Share One Sky
Description: To connect and engage residents and visitors with Newburyport and the theme "We Share One Sky", through large-scale, exterior mural paintings strategically placed across the City. Spring 2023 and be completed by December 2025.
Lynn Music Foundation
Project: The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre
Description: To develop The Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre to be a multipurpose space that serves the community to Increase in community engagement and participation in the arts and culture scene in Essex County. Improved access to the arts for low-income families and individuals and marginalized communities.
2024 Grantees
Irise Dance Project - Lawrence
Project: Dance program for youth
Description: Running from March through June 2024
Task Force Against Discrimination - Marblehead
Project: Community event
Description: Event on May 4, 2024
Essex Shipbuilding Museum - Essex
Project: Community event
Description: Event on June 22nd-23rd, 2024
PeabodyTV - Peabody
Project: Young Artist Music Festival
Description: Creating a music festival in Peabody, with funds paying youth performers
La House - Lawrence
Project: Public Art for Spatial Justice
Description: Public art project around spatial justice with community input, running from March 2024 — July 2024
Cape Ann Museum - Gloucester
Project: LGBTQ+ Community Events
Description: Creating two events: "Pride Family Picnic" & "Lavender Speakeasy" on June 2 and June 7, 2024
Essex Art Center - Lawrence
Project: Facade Project
Description: Local artists/writers featuring poetry/banners, running from March 1 - September 1, 2024
Brothers In Arms Men's Support Circle - Lawrence
Project: Juneteenth Festival
Description: Creation of a Juneteenth Festival in Lawrence on June 22nd
Elevated Thought - Lawrence
Project: Downtown Placemaking
Description: Bringing people downtown through murals with community engagement, running from July 22 - August 30, 2024
Cape Ann Art Haven - Gloucester
Project: Digital Art Curriculum
Description: Developing a curriculum for middle- and high-school students around Digital Art, running from May 2024 - December 2024
Northeast Regional Folk Alliance - Lawrence & Methuen
Project: Coffee & Wood Concert Series
Description: Regular lineup of Thursday night performances to bolster touring folk artists, running from April 18th- November 14th 2024
Lanes Coven Theater Co. - Gloucester
Project: Accessible Shakespeare
Description: Two "$5 Buck Sundays" making outdoor Shakespeare/classical plays accessible, on July 14th and August 25th
Heathmere Center for Cultural Engagement - Beverly
Project: Community Art & Peace Circle
Description: Teaching mindfulness and meditation, on Saturday June 8, 2024 at Porter Mill Studios Open House
Maia Mattson - Gloucester
Project: Backyard Growcery
Description: Eco Art Programming, running from June 19-Oct 16th
Bread & Roses Heritage Festival - Lawrence
Project: bREAD and Roses: Writing the Next Chapter
Description: Partnership with Lawrence Public Library for literacy promotion, including free books and a "Story Walk" on the Common, on Monday, September 2, 2024
LEO Inc. - Lynn
Project: Lynn Mosaic Cultural Project
Description: Promoting cultural awareness through museum tours, activities, and guest speakers, running from July 1st to August 15th
Haverhill Historical Society (DBA Buttonwoods Museum) - Haverhill
Project: "A Seat at the Table"
Description: Exhibit, Lecture, and Children's Program, running from August 1-31, 2024
Presente! Festival - Lawrence
Project: Cultural Festival
Description: Unique cultural experience featuring free, quality arts offerings and celebrating cultural heritage, on August 24, 2024
Awesome Gloucester - Rockport
Project: Iconic Fish Murals
Description: Creating the 6th and 7th murals in maritime heritage series, featuring cod and mackerel, from mid-June to end of July
Arpeggione Ensemble, Inc - Beverly
Project: Silent Film with Live Orchestra
Description: Screening of "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror" (1922) with live original score performance, on Sunday, October 22, 2024
Lynn Music Foundation - Lynn
Project: Lynn Music Festival
Description: Celebrating local music and fostering community spirit on the beach, on July 21, 2024
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