2024 COHORT
For the 2023-2024 cycle we allocated:
$40,000 for eight $5,000 project grants that directly support artist-organized projects.
$10,000 for five $2,000 grants available to artists to do research for new or ongoing projects.
$10,000 for twenty $500 micro grants that directly support individual artists with a demonstrated talent in social artistry.
PROJECT GRANTS
Alyssa Cuffie website instagram
The Durham Artist Archive is a podcast that interviews artists about their creative practices and experiences living in the rapidly gentrifying Durham. The podcast will serve as an archive of the creative experience in Durham today. I aim to interview at least 15 creatives of various backgrounds over the course of 2024. The goal is to share the stories of these artists and their work with the community.
The podcast will also explore the impact of gentrification on the Durham arts scene. Durham is rapidly growing with an increasing number of “transplants” moving in, myself being one of them. I seek to understand how this experience impacts creatives who’ve moved here or have been here long term. How does living in Durham as an artist compare to other places they’ve lived? How has their experience in Durham changed in the past 5 years versus 15 years ago? I seek to root out a story of Durham while still learning about individuals' creative practices and uplifting their work. The podcast will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the arts in Durham. It will provide a platform for artists to share their work and stories, and serve to document the changing landscape of the Durham arts scene.
Amber Echevarria instagram
The Basement Battle will feature Triangle-area artists creating illustrations on stage, competing directly with other artists, to complete their piece in 30-40 minutes, based on a surprise prompt. At the end of that time, attendees will vote on their favorite featured artist, who will be awarded a “goodie bag” of prizes (past Basement Battle prizes have included marker sets, gift certificates, fanny packs, and other goods provided in-kind). The finished pieces will then be displayed together following the event (approx. 30 days), with intent to move the collection to new venues, on a regular basis.
Aida Guo
Radical Asian American arts program for high school students to build community through independent visual arts projects both with each other and within North Carolina. Examples of independent projects include an oral history photograph series, a collaborative zine for queer Asian American youth in NC, a children’s book discussing the Third World Liberation Front. Through one-on-one mentorship and artist workshops, youth will be challenged to grow politically, artistically, and personally. This project will attempt to build a base of politically engaged, young, Asian/American artists in North Carolina.
Spencer Hathcock website instagram
Our project at Neighbor to Neighbor is a dynamic fusion of community development, art, and sports. It involves transforming our two adjoining outdoor basketball courts into a canvas for a large-scale mural. This mural, designed by Gabe Eng-Goetz, is inspired by Tupac Shakur’s poignant poem 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete.' It symbolizes the resilience, beauty, and joy inherent in our community, reflecting the spirit of so many of the youth and adults we serve everyday. Under the guidance of Project Backboard, this installation will be a collaborative effort, engaging local residents in bringing this artwork to life by participating in the painting process. Our goal is to create a vibrant, inspiring space that not only enhances our basketball courts but also serves as a beacon of community pride and a testament to our collective strength and creativity.
Phillip Loken website
"Free Memories" is a free family portrait event for the Black community of East Raleigh and an archival photographic body of work. Gentrification is happening rapidly all across the world and North Carolina is not exempt. 62 people a day move to Wake County alone and with growth like that, displacement of the locals and their culture takes place as well. "Free Memories" serves as a gift to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today and an archival project that will document the vibrant Black community that assisted in molding the culture of Raleigh; East Raleigh to be specific.
Freeman Long website
The film is a historical documentary of the Bull City Riders, the oldest chartered Black motorcycle club in North Carolina. Through the Riders’ own words, juxtaposed with film of thrilling rides, we will show how they have persevered and positively contributed to Durham. The film will focus on the six surviving founding members: Morris Barrier, John Daniels, James Lee, Hal Royster, John Lyon and Elijah Worley. The founders are African-American men, now in their 70’s and 80’s. The majority of the founding members are deceased, and we need to capture the history while they are alive.
Courtney Napier website
Volume 7 of BOS Magazine delves deep into the heart of North Carolina's Black foodways, uplifting the flavors, stories, and heritage that define Black Southern cuisine. From nurturing and living off the land to cherished family recipes passed down through the generations, to the vibrant culinary innovations of contemporary Black chefs and the gulfs of food access and land ownership that still exist within our community, this issue invites readers on a mouthwatering journey through the South's kitchens and communities. BOS Magazine, Volume 7 will feature an array of thought-provoking essays, compelling stories, soulful poems, stunning artwork, and captivating photography. Through the lens of talented Black Southern contributors, readers will gain a fresh perspective on how food connects us to our roots, our cultures, and our identities.
Londs Reuter website instagram
GOOD EFFORT is a performance of attunement inviting dancers to calibrate their action to unique circumstances. We use high effort to feel an effect—like getting up a hill, lifting a box, or being kind to a cruel person. We use low effort to witness our action—like taking in a view, making a cold breakfast, or doing a job only as-written. Calibrating effort levels is one way we survive capitalist systems while retaining agency and, ideally, cultivating enjoyment. GOOD EFFORT uplifts effort as a compositional tool and design technique, thereby empowering each performer to exercise their authorship, agency, and invention.
Dancers have been tuning their relationship to effort since the beginning. We know when we can estimate a movement, just to tell if the steps will line up with the meter of a song. We also know when we need to practice with full momentum, otherwise our partner won’t be able to feel our weight shift. GOOD EFFORT is a practice of naming and knowing what it takes to do what you’re doing. No one else might know the effort required, but we always do.
GOOD EFFORT will culminate in an evening-length performance on a hill. Dancers will perform permutations of shared movement material—meaning each dancer will learn the same movements or prompts for movement—but their expression will hinge on their sense of effort. This strategy allows for each performance to be new and for each performer to determine what they offer to the audience, the group, and themselves. GOOD EFFORT demonstrates the many ways we can meet each moment.v
RESEARCH GRANTS
Meg Day website
My research interests are twofold. First, I would like to be in conversation with the great Deaf poets who make poems in ASL about how to renovate our understanding of ASL performance & how we retain the linguistic heritage of ASL poetry while inviting both new Deaf poets & also hearing audiences to engage with the stories of Deaf lives. This will involve interviews, archival research, and conversations with ASL interpreters. Second, I would like to learn more about all the modes available to us as a visual, embodied language to create ASL art. Animation is primary on my mind, but also video recordings, visual representations of sound waves, & other installation-type approaches (a la Deaf visual artist Joseph Grigely's notes exhibitions). North Carolina has one of the oldest Deaf schools in the country & an immense archive of Deaf history; these stories could be told in ASL art or other visual representations of ASL if we had a better sense of how to bridge the gap between hearing viewers & the visual art that is American Sign Language, especially with young people who are primed to change the stigma around disabilities and second languages.
Tyshika Dickens website instagram
The research will encompass the process of publishing a photo zine. This involves investigating the various steps and considerations for self-publishing, including but not limited to selecting printing methods, understanding layout and design principles, exploring distribution options, and examining the financial aspects of the publication process. The research focus will also revolve around creating a self-published photo zine that highlights African American experiences, specifically those centered around conversation topics that typically occur at the dinner table at grandmas' houses. The project aims to authentically capture the nuances, traditions, and unique stories that unfold during these gatherings. This process involves cultural exploration, engaging with the African American community through events and interviews, documenting family stories, and studying literary and visual works related to African American culture.
I will use the Snapdragon research grant to fund research and preparation for the creation of an inhabitable quilted structure. Throughout the pandemic the quilt has become a symbol of mental comfort in my collages of quilted houses and structures. Quilted homes are sewn up and sheltered from the outside world, like a child covered in a cozy blanket. Using my grandmother’s inherited vintage fabrics, flowers bloom from doors and windows, bringing warmth and the invitation for connection. As COVID, war, climate change, and politics wear on our bodies and souls, my work seeks to comfort, restore, and transport.
Two-dimensional images can only do so much to provide these emotions to the viewer. Thus, I intend to make my structures, buildings, and quilts three-dimensional, as both wearable and inhabitable objects. My first foray into a three-dimensional wearable quilt is a quilted jacket using the gladiolus flower as shield and symbol to signify courage and integrity. I plan to make several more wearable quilts in 2024 and in addition, research and plan for the creation of an inhabitable quilted structure. I imagine a small tent-like structure clad in quilting with soft elements, such as pillows and blankets, continuing into the interior space.
If awarded this grant, I will conduct research and gain skills to build my first mixed media art installation. As an auditory and experiential learner, I want to learn more about immersive installation practices like sound design and video installation. To build my skills, I would like to apprentice with Jessica Valoris, an interdisciplinary artist and community facilitator; visit installations; and take classes in Adobe Audition and Adobe Premiere. I would also use research funds to purchase an Adobe Creative Cloud Suite subscription. While I have extensive experience in in-person, virtual, and digital event curation and production, this research will help me strengthen my skills as a visual artist and develop the confidence to produce this work.
Makala Muhammed website instagram
‘A Concept: You’ (ACY) is a movement to deepen your understanding of yourself, foster community, and bridge generational gaps. Preserving and celebrating stories enriches our collective narrative. Everyone, across many generations, has a unique perspective and journey reflective of their background. ACY is a wellness and community-led movement.
Maya Angelou's wisdom serves as a guiding light for this project, emphasizing the importance of passing down traditions, stories, and truths to the next generation. With ACY, I would like to conduct interviews. The interviews will serve as a path for intergenerational dialogue, fostering a connection between the wisdom of the elders and the curiosity of the youth. During these interviews, I will photograph and record interviewees, with their consent, and incorporate direct quotes and portraits into mixed media art for the preparation of ‘A Concept: You’, my 2025 solo art show. Through mixed media art, these dialogues will be translated into visual narratives that bridge generational gaps, creating a dynamic tapestry of shared wisdom and experiences.
At its core, "A Concept You" is rooted in the promotion of holistic well-being. The project recognizes that well-being extends beyond individual experiences to encompass the collective wellness of the community. By actively involving participants in the creation of their visual narratives and allowing them the space to tell their stories, the project aims to empower individuals, fostering a sense of agency and self-expression that contributes to their mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental well-being.
MICRO GRANTS
Feyi Adekunle website
I find inspiration in the balance of my student life at NCSU and my passion for art. Having participated in two Pancake and Booze shows and a university exhibition, I've glimpsed the profound connection art fosters in diverse settings. While my commitment to academia is paramount, these experiences have fueled my desire to engage more extensively in the art show circuit. As a polymer scientist and an artist, I bring a unique perspective to my work, continually drawing from both worlds.
JD Campbell
I’m JD Campbell (he/they), a Black figure painter from Durham, NC. My art centers the experiences of working-class Black folk. Scale is important to me; it’s essential that Black people take up space in our art, and large canvases are a potent way to achieve this. The bold geometry and textured backgrounds in my portraits underscore surreal nature of Blackness and the social, physical, financial displacement that permeates our history.
Candy Carver website instagram
I am a self taught, North Carolina based artist. I create electric and brightly colored, contemporary artwork. It encompasses bold colors and utilizes abstract design, alongside figurative subjects.The colors I choose are therapeutic and enliven me as I create. Often, the themes broaden as I work through each piece. Creating allows for me to refill my reservoir of joy and impact others in a similar way. I leave every canvas feeling full in a way that I can only compare to mediation.
Jennifer Clifton instagram
My art presents oppositions—the natural against the synthetic, the individual against the modern hum, independence against the energy of regularity, action against thought, self-generated female power against an inescapable yet still attractive backdrop. Color is unashamed, defiance is pleasure, with an edge of surreal juxtaposition. The backgrounds suggest a struggle with an exterior but can also depict the interior energy of the central figure—viewers can decide the balance.
Tyshika Dickens website instagram
As an artist, I am dedicated to fostering a dialogue about African American culture. I employ unrefined imagery, screen printing, and historic photo development. I believe in the transformative power of art imbued with consciousness. My work reflects the AA community's experiences, drawing from the spirit and resilience of the Harlem Renaissance to establish a direct line of communication with the artists and myself, fostering connection and dialogue.
Maura Garcia website instagram
I am an Indigenous woman. I’m a dance artist. I’m a child of the sun and earth. It is my joy to emanate this energy and uplift the teachings of my ancestors. I see the world as a web of interconnected stories: new stories, ancient stories, sad stories, sensual stories, funny stories, non-human stories, stories buried under shame. Through multi-media collaborations with artists and community, my purpose is to share these stories and the power they have to change our realities.
My name is Nobuyoshi Godwin. I have autism. Being autistic is okay. I can see trees in my minds and talk with them. It’s blue and it is 10. When I paint, I feel good because it is my job, and I am proud of it. I think people enjoy and think my painting is good. I like drawing animals. They are sweet. That is 4400 and purple. If I sell my paintings, I can buy more paint colors, and that is purple and is 4400.
Tatiana Johnson instagram
Hailing from Durham, NC, Tatiana M. Johnson is an award-winning writer, producer, and creative consultant with over a decade of industry expertise. Armed with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Business Management from Hampton University, she has made significant contributions to renowned entities like WME Entertainment (now Endeavor), Leslie Lewis Consulting, National Geographic, and Duke University. Tatiana's influence extends beyond mainstream entertainment, as seen in collaborations with the Canady Foundation for the Arts and Blackspace: An Afrofuturism Digital Makerspace. Her journey through diverse media sectors underscores her versatility, yet her true passion lies in collaborating with creatives to bring their visions to life. As the founder of the creative consulting firm, 1st Lady Management, and co-founder of the production company, Made for More Entertainment, Tatiana seeks to empower emerging talents and shape the industry with innovative projects that inspire, impact, educate, and entertain. Tatiana's mantra, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it," encapsulates her philosophy. Beyond being a creator, she serves as a conduit for brilliance, lighting the way for others in the dynamic world of media and entertainment.
Wiley Johnson website instagram
Most of my abstract paintings are filled with bright colors. I use broad strokes of acrylic paint on canvas, but sometimes I also use sponges, rubber bands, or feathers for additional effect. My paintings are unplanned, but they are finished when the colors” pop.” The isolation of my studio gives me freedom to create. It makes me happy to hear people say that they like my art. Art connects me to my community and to the larger art world. I am grateful for the opportunities that art gives me.
Through processes of archeological curation, accretion, and excavation, I create objects that examine implications for sustainability. I reformulate the discarded and mistint paints into a visual record of cultural history by pouring numerous layers to create strata-like forms that mimic natural sedimentation. These stratifications expose remnants and the foundation of their previous lives by salvaging and molding layers of paint into newfound forms.
Kennedie King website instagram
I am a multi-hyphenate artist who creates stories using the elements: movement, color, and sound. I am a weaver of my own experiences and the multi-temporal narratives that exist within my ancestry. My artistry stems from conversations I have in service of the praxis that demands that we must dream in our spoken words; building freer and safer worlds from our ability to call in what we desire. I see the mediums I create within as the languages I speak.
As a 2nd generation Asian American, I use storytelling from the Asian diaspora in NC to create visual representation of my community in the hopes of bringing community cohesion. As a public health practitioner, I utilize visual arts influenced by both Eastern and Western techniques to promote wellbeing, inclusion, and joy for my community. Because my pieces are rooted in storytelling and community, I hope anyone can connect to these pieces and find deeper connections with each other.
Phillip Loken website instagram
Black American Southerners are the genesis of African American culture. Many portrayals from non-Southerners are very superficial & miss important nuances & Black Southern cultural references. By embracing themes of authenticity, belonging, community, and pride mixed with a practice driven by conversation and research, I am making the viewer take a second look and explore more deeply the lives, influences, & viewpoints of my subjects.
Sofia Mastorakis instagram
Smote is a queer, multidisciplinary artist whose work spans from traditional printmaking to digital art and merchandise design. Much of Smote’s inspiration stems from the deep impact both science and technology played in their early life and it continues to be the foundation of their work to this day. They look to deconstruct or distort elements through a variety of artistic techniques, exploring the viewer's relationship with the art and blending disparate elements into a unified experience.
Justin Perry website instagram
Just Jenus Art mission is to increase positive images of black women and men and inspire people to see beauty in Art creation. My passion is tied to my belief that my art does not belong to me and it is my purpose in life to create art for others. I want to create more and live my vision of art being a driving force in all areas of my life. "Jenus" is pronounced Genius and represents my ability to create, manifest, learn, teach, believe, inspire, dream, thrive and be at peace.
I’ve been living in my car and exploring the country since early 2022. I keep a few art supplies tucked away - a 90s film point-and-shoot camera, cyanotype chemistry, a flower press, posca paint pens, sketchbook, various types of paper, scissors, and a couple of glue sticks. My most recent addition: a ruler. With these tools I try to capture a place and my experience in it as a solo traveler. What does a person see when they’re totally alone? What do they gravitate towards?
Raul Rubiera website
I make art for myself, to satisfy a need for expression. For 40 years, photography allowed me to be published, exhibited, and win awards, but throughout, sculpture has been an unfulfilled passion. I digitally design and then 3D print my sculptures. I find that this is a good medium for me to discover and produce new work. I applied and got a grant to buy my first 3d printer, I now own four. My work is abstract in nature and non-representative. My ideas come both from my mind and from nature.
Marty Rogers website instagram
My body of work is a simulacrum of the interior investigation I undergo as the basis of my creative process. As I look inward and into my past, I shove bits of memory into my pockets, pick up the ephemera littering the floor, swipe samples of the bittersweet in order to recreate it externally. Post discovery, I transform my treasured findings into something tangible for others to witness.
Elizabeth Trefney website instagram
Handwriting is my beginning and my touch across time. Using written letters and other physical memories as stand-ins for people or ongoing experiences, I create intergenerational narratives using drawing and photo printmaking. By merging handwritten text with the present, I share stories of community empowerment, Armenian ancestry, and caregiving. While the use of familial handwriting is an act of perpetual care to loved ones, my goal is to create a meeting place in the present.