Creativity Connects: National Demonstration Projects

Creativity Connects: National Demonstration Projects

Funder: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (administered through US Regional Arts Organizations)

Program Administrator: South Arts Inc (one of six regional arts organizations)

Purpose: Investigate ways arts can connect with other sectors (education, healthcare, social justice) through demonstration projects; promote collaboration, experimentation, and community growth

Award Amount: $75,000 per selected project (one per RAO region)

Program Year: 2016 (part of NEA's 50th anniversary celebration)

Key Details:

One project selected per region from six US Regional Arts Organizations

Regional Arts Organizations involved: Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation

Projects promote innovative cross-sector collaboration

Supports experimentation and community-centered approaches

Geographic Scope: National (one award per RAO region)

Selection Process:

Initial regional competition among nearly 40 arts organizations from Southeast

Adjudicated selection process led by South Arts

Regional winners compete nationally

Example Award Recipient: Deep Center (Savannah, GA) - $75,000 for "Block By Block" project partnering with Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, involving writing workshops, public readings, art marches, and block parties

Contact: South Arts Inc, southarts.org