Twelve local artists representing a range of creative disciplines have been selected for the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s (AFCC) inaugural Capacity-Building Grant Program. Through the program, the cohort will spend the next nine months identifying practical strategies to help them achieve financial sustainability to grow their practice.
Artists chosen are:
- Margaret Clancy of South Dennis (fiber artist)
- Olivia Leigh Curtis of Falmouth (glassblower, sculptor)
- Natasha Frye of Mashpee (contemporary abstract painter)
- Sam Holmstock of Cotuit (drummer, musician)
- Myra Kooy of Dennis (visual artist)
- André Lima of Brewster (dancer, martial artist, educator, artistic movement)
- Julian Loida of Falmouth (musician, composer, producer)
- Kim Moberg of Centerville (singer, songwriter, musician)
- Mwalim of Buzzards Bay (musician, writer, storyteller, educator)
- Dominique Pecce of Truro (printmaker)
- Paul Rizzo of Provincetown (visual artist)
- Laura Shabott of Provincetown (painter, sketch artist, collage artist)
The AFCC is partnering with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art’s (Mass MoCA) Assets for Artists, an initiative started in 2008 that has supported more than 500 artists in five states across the Northeast.
“Assets for Artists has a strong track record of helping artists to think holistically about their business and to strive to attain the goals necessary to strengthen their creative work,” said AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake. “We’re excited to partner with Mass MoCA and tap into their network of artist leaders and facilitators to help a diversely talented group of artists in our region who are looking to take the next steps in their professional careers. Both the AFCC and Mass MoCA know artists are key contributors to vibrant communities and thriving economies.”
A total of 51 artists covering the entire Cape as well as Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket submitted applications for the program which includes a $1,000 capacity-building grant. Applicants were reviewed by four professional artists working on Cape Cod to select the final 12 who represent eight towns on the Cape and encompass a range of artistic practices, including abstract painting, fiber arts, dance and music.
A major focus of the Capacity-Building Grant Program is to guide artists in identifying their needs and coming up with a business plan to address them.
Over the next nine months, they will attend a mix of in-person and virtual webinars that will include “Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty,” taught by sculptor and artist Laura Baring-Gould; “The Basics of Building a Grant,” taught by poet, writer, and educator Yara Liceaga-Rojas; “Taxes and Money Management,” taught by artist Hannah Cole; and additional workshops as determined by the needs of the cohort. Applicants not selected for the program can still attend these workshops to help strengthen their creative practice.
The Capacity-Building Grant Program, which is part of the AFCC’s Creative Exchange, is funded through a $400,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investment from the state the Arts Foundation received at the end of last year. The Cape Cod Foundation has contributed another $50,000 towards the Creative Exchange which recently received additional support from the Kelley Foundation.
