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Charlotte Arts & Science Council loses funding after new grant program passes

CHARLOTTE — A new grant program from the City of Charlotte has virtually defunded a longtime program that helps fund local art programs.

Charlotte Community Services Association was created by Patsy Burkins 20 years ago with financial help from the Charlotte Arts & Science Council.

The program is for underserved students, with a special focus on the fine arts. Now, the Charlotte Arts & Science Council won’t be able to help programs like the one Burkins started. Burkins says the program has helped around 8,000 people.

Council members recently voted to create the city’s own grant program, increasing the budget from $3.4 million to $12 million.

Created in 1958, the Charlotte Arts & Science Council has helped thousands of local artists and organizations receive grants, in turn learning how to turn their love of the arts into a living.

Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs says a portion of the money will go to venues across the city, including Charlotte Ballet and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

“The key takeaway is that the amount of money is much greater than before, the arts community as a whole is going to be much better funded than it was before,” Driggs said.

However, Burkins is concerned the city’s new strategy will exclude minority arts groups that are focused on people of color or the LGBTQ community.

“When you’ve got an organization that’s operating efficiently, that already has its infrastructure in place, that’s doing what you said you want, why would you not support them?” Burkins asked.

ASC president Krista Terrell said the nonprofit has no plans to go away, even without the city’s funding.

“We are the designated local arts agency for the city and the county so we represent them on a regional and national stage and we do much more work than grant-making,” Terrell said.

The city’s revised grant initiative falls under a newly created arts and culture plan.

A virtual meeting is planned for Wednesday night to discuss the changes and get feedback. You can register for the event by clicking here.

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