CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 14, 2022) — The City of Charlotte's Arts and Culture Advisory Board on Tuesday awarded $8.87 million in public and private funds to 38 arts and culture organizations spanning Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The grants provide unrestricted, operating support in fiscal year 2023, which runs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

The board's decision marks the second year these organizations' operations have been funded through the Infusion Fund, a partnership among the city, Foundation For The Carolinas and private donors. Through the fund, the partners intend to support local arts and culture over three years. Before the Infusion Fund was established in July 2021, these organizations received annual operating support from the Arts & Science Council (ASC).

"Our arts and culture institutions are key community assets that enrich lives, provide opportunities and bring visitors to the Charlotte area," said Priya Sircar, the city's arts and culture officer. "With this funding, we are pleased to offer reliable financial support through the 2023 fiscal year while we develop a longer-term cultural plan for the future of arts and culture in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County."

The table below reflects the breakdown of the $8.87 million among the 38 organizations. No organization will receive less funding in FY 2023 compared to what it received from the Infusion Fund in FY 2022, unless the organization requested less support for the upcoming fiscal year. 

*The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art award includes funds that the Arts & Science Council has a contract with the Bechtler to provide.

Prioritizing Equity and Inclusion in Arts and Culture Support

The FY 2023 grant awards continue the Arts and Culture Advisory Board's practice of supporting artists, and arts and culture organizations of all sizes with equity, inclusivity and transparency. Since January, the board has:

• Selected a globally recognized firm to help develop a long-term cultural plan.

• Provided grants to 51 groups that had not previously received support from the Infusion Fund, nor unrestricted operating dollars through public-private funding prior to the Infusion Fund.

• Enabled one Charlotte-area group to join a multiyear program that resources and funds BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) arts groups across the southeastern United States.

• Supported the multidisciplinary "I Am Queen Charlotte" experience held in March by two local artists and many collaborators.

• Awarded nearly $3 million to arts organizations in the first year of the Infusion Fund.  

Learn more about the City of Charlotte's work to support local arts and culture at charlottenc.gov/arts-culture.