In response to the challenges faced by local artists following Hurricane Helene, the Greater Augusta Arts Council (GAAC) has introduced the C.R.E.A.T.I.V.E (Creative Relief for Emergencies and Assistance Through Vital Empowerment) Fund Micro Grants program.
This micro grant initiative is aimed at supporting the creative community within the Greater Augusta River Region, offering limited grants of $500 to $1,000 to help artists recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
The program was made possible through the efforts of Denise Tucker, executive director of the Augusta Arts Council, who requested that the Augusta Foundation for the Arts – an endowment created to support the GAAC – redirect funds intended for GAAC to the creative community.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, our artists faced significant challenges. Canceled gigs, destroyed equipment and a temporary inability to create,” said Tucker. “Art is everywhere, and I think sometimes we forget about the creatives that are actually working and living in our community and what all they contribute to.”
Who can apply
Individual artists from all disciplines (visual, theatre, film, music, vocal, culinary and fashion) residing in Augusta’s River Region and affected by Hurricane Helene are eligible to apply for the micro grants. However, applicants are only eligible to receive a grant once during the application period.
Although a “significant number” of applications have already been submitted, only 10% have come from Arts Council members.
Funding and additional support
The grant program will only continue for as long as funds are available and is expected to wrap up in mid-January.
Because funding is coming from the Augusta Foundation for the Arts, applicants will be able to receive their grants as soon as their applications are scored, per Tucker.
“We want to make sure that we get money into the hands of these creatives as quickly as we possibly can,” she said.
In addition to the financial support, the program has also facilitated the collection of donated art supplies for those in need.
“We’ve collected donations of new art supplies, everything from yarn and canvases to paint, clay and jewelry-making tools, to help our community get back to creating,” said Tucker.
How to apply
Applications for micro grants are accepted through the GAAC’s online grant application portal. To apply on the website, users must create a profile. For additional help with the application process, Denise Tucker can be contacted via email at denise@augustaarts.com.
