PDF: CTFP MW Grant Recipient Sampling

PDF: CTFP Fully funded MW Grant Recipients

Winners of CreateHere’s Make Work art grants are in for a surprise — total funding for the program is more than double what first was planned.

A total of $301,226 will be distributed among 36 local artists, ranging from multimedia innovators to glass artists, according to CreateHere officials.

Grant applicants were told they would be competing for a piece of a $150,000 pie provided by the Lyndhurst Foundation, but a donation by the Benwood Foundation has doubled that amount.

Both foundations work to enhance the cultural environment of the Chattanooga area.

“We wanted to support the work and give artists the tools to succeed,” said Kristy Huntley, program officer for the Benwood Foundation. “A creative economy can help bring a lot of new dollars to Chattanooga.”

CreateHere’s Make Work program operates on the theory of creativity as an economic driver, leaders said.

“Our belief is that creativity stimulates innovation and innovation stimulates the economy,” said Josh McManus, co-founder of Create Here. “It’s bigger than helping 36 people.”

Sculptor Isaac Duncan III received a career-advancement grant, which he plans to use to buy equipment and eventually expand his studio.

“With better equipment, I don’t have to waste time fixing my old stuff,” Mr. Duncan said. “It helps cut down on subcontracting. By saving money, I can buy more materials and equipment from local vendors.”

Mr. Duncan said he will use the grant money to hire local contractors to help with studio expansion. He said he also would like to hire Chattanooga-based assistants when needed.

Grant finalists are interviewed by a jury using a six-question procedure. The top 10 finalists receive the full amount of funding requested.

In order to promote good financial planning, winners must wait three years before applying for another grant. All recipients of Make Work grants undergo training to help them use the money efficiently.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a plumber or a painter,” said Helen Johnson, co-founder of CreateHere. “You need to know how to manage your money.”