Creative Greensboro Annual Report 2021-2022

ANNUAL REPORT CREATIVE GREENSBORO

2021-2022

“Moving Forward with Hope, Joy, and Harmony,” by Raman Bhardwaj. Commissioned by Creative Greensboro.

C I T Y OF GR E ENS BORO OF F I CE FOR AR T S & CULTUR E

CREATIVE GREENSBORO MEET ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

ABOUT US Founded in 2019, Creative Greensboro is the City of Greensboro’s office for arts and culture. Guided by the 2018 Cultural Arts Plan, we provide support for, ensure access to, and drive awareness of Greensboro’s creative community. Through a range of programs, services, and partnerships, we support the development of a vibrant city. We were busy in 2021-2022, as we re-emerged from COVID-19 related shutdowns and continued developing new initiatives to drive our intended outcomes. This report tells the story of our partnership with 449 creative individuals, organizations, and community groups over the past year. These partnerships were supported by cash and in-kind contributions from the City worth $1,172,080. They created 932,509 participant and audience experiences. Take a moment to check out the details and stories from some of our partners. If you haven’t already, we invite you to join us in our work. Together, we are Creative Greensboro.

Ryan Deal Chief Creative Economy Officer Josh Sherrick Business Services Manager Todd Fisher Performing Arts Coordinator Gina Fisher Special Events Coordinator Karen Archia Nick Helms Community Partnerships Coordinators David Cashwell Finance & Facility Operations Specialist Zizi Barhouma Marketing & Events Specialist

Meredith Gornto Programs & Operations Assistant Joy Cabador Creative Economy Specialist Kris Ferris Christine Imrick Sawyer Shafer Performance Space Assistants Miranda Macasero

India McCoy MayahWells Facility Assistants Burke Miller Student Intern

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Creative Greensboro Staff..................................................2 About Creative Greensboro. ..................................2 Creative Greensboro Programming Team....................3 Partners at the Greensboro Cultural Center.........................4-6 Partners in the Community...............................7-9 Creative Greensboro Presents.................................10-11 Cultural Affairs Commission....3

PROGRAMMING TEAM Jon Brotherton Michael Parker Choral Society of Greensboro

John Henry Jr. Matt Reid Greensboro Big Band

Index

Patty Adkins Steve Davis Keenan Harmon Tab May Randy Morris Fatou Njie AmandaWaterhouse Jini Zlatniski Drama Programming

Kiyoshi Carter Byron Grimes Susan Hunt Greensboro Concert Band David Covert Eve Hubbard Peter Perret Philharmonia of Greensboro

CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION

In October 2021, City Council appointed the first members of a new Cultural Affairs Commission to advise Creative Greensboro, promote our work, and act as a liaison to Council. The commission – created per the recommendation of the City’s 2018 Cultural Arts Plan – is comprised of people who represent the city’s demographics and offer a wide range of expertise and perspectives. At least 51 percent of members represent the creative community, including an entrepreneur, a K-12 arts educator, representatives of cultural organizations and a college or university, and a Greensboro Cultural Center tenant. In its first year, the commission successfully advocated to the City Council to include $500,000 in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget for arts grants, another recommendation of the Cultural Arts Plan. Members also served on artist selection committees, urged City leaders to fund long-standing maintenance needs of the Greensboro Cultural Center, and helped develop a program for evaluating the impact of Greensboro Cultural Center tenants.

COMMISSION MEMBERS

Douglas Bender Catena Bergevin Juliette Bianco Duane Cyrus* Mignon Elkes

Leigh Ann Little Victoria Milstein Janine Robledo Naomi Woods

*Resigned June 2022

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AT THE GREENSBORO CULTURAL CENTER PARTNERS

PROVIDING THE PLATFORM The Greensboro Cultural Center is a hub of the creative community. In 2021-2022, we built upon our efforts to expand equitable access to the space and provide a platform for diverse programs, while uplifting emerging and established creative individuals and organizations alike. The City’s 2018 Cultural Arts Plan calls for dedicated space in the center for a residency program. The plan also calls for specific initiatives that support the growth, resilience, and programmatic reach of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led and serving partners. Creative Greensboro provides two programs that bring new and diverse individuals into the center: Greensboro Residency for Original Works (GROW) and Residency at the Hyers. During 2021-2022 – the first full year for both programs – Creative Greensboro hosted 13 artist residencies, nine of which were BIPOC-led and -serving . GROW is a flexible space where artists in residence can create original works and host community programs, performances and events. This paid residency program has supported a wide range of creatives, from artist and curator Jordan T. Robinson, whose work explores ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Since my GROW residency, my work has been shared on the North Carolina Arts Council’s blog and I have served as a judge in the 2022 NC-06 Congressional Art Competition!

— Jonathan Vizcuña Visual Artist

systemic challenges artists of color and trans people face, to visual artist Jasmine Best, who used the residency to create large-scale textile pieces. GROW proved to be a launch-pad for visual artist Jonathan Vizcuña. His GROW installation – a tri-dimensional experience on the wonder and fragility of life on Earth – prompted GreenHill Center for NC Art to include him in its Winter Show. The Residency at the Hyers offers rent-free use of the center’s Stephen D. Hyers black box theater and technical and marketing support for dance, theater, music, film or poetry programs and productions. It provided $22,500 worth of in-kind space last year to programs like Royal Expressions Ballet Company and Actors of All Abilities, an inclusive theater company.

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AFFORDABLE SPACE

To further support equitable access to the center, Creative Greensboro provided low-cost rental options to more than 150 creative individuals and organizations for their programming . Creative Greensboro took over management of the Van Dyke Performance Space, a flexible theater with a special sprung wood dance floor. We significantly increased the use of the space, hosting 101 performances and events with 42 partner organizations. The Creative Activation Partners (CAP) program rents dance studios, music classrooms and other spaces for as low as $6. Priority consideration is given for rentals that are programmatically diverse when compared to activities already occurring in the center and those with specific intent to engage communities of color, low-income residents and people who are disabled. More than 100 individuals and organizations presented their programs at the center through CAP in 2021-2022 – 59 percent of these partners are BIPOC-led and -serving groups. CAP is giving unique organizations and creative entrepreneurs an affordable way to reach new audiences, earn money and create art. More than 8,000 participants engaged in their programs. Experiences include Japanese martial art Kendo, West African drums, ukulele jam sessions, music therapy, dance lessons in Irish, Cuban salsa, Montagnard, and Afro-fusion styles, and more.

Teaching flamenco dance classes at the Greensboro Cultural Center has been a dream come true! Thanks to participating in the CAP program, I have been able to do what I love

and share the art of flamenco dance with the community.

— Velmy Trinidad Dance Instructor

The Residency at the Hyers made building programming accessible and affordable for us. We’ve always dreamed of running a show multiple times but due to funding limits have never had this opportunity (before).

Creative Greensboro’s management of the Van Dyke Performance Space has allowed The Poetry Cafe to expand its audience and the quality of the show, from lighting and presentation to the ability to book months in advance, which assists in marketing efforts. The space is affordable and flexible - enabling us to invite both vendors and sponsors in a way that greatly helps our bottom line.

— Princess Johnson Royal Expressions Contemporary Ballet

— Josephus Thompson III The Poetry Café Founder

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The Greensboro Cultural Center isn’t just a space of cultural enrichment. It’s an economic engine and a job-creator. The City of Greensboro’s long-standing commitment to providing free office and gallery space to nonprofit organizations has helped sustain many cornerstone arts and culture organizations in our city. Last year, Creative Greensboro provided more than $1 million worth of free space to 17 arts organizations, ranging from galleries like the African American Atelier to performance-based groups like Greensboro Opera. The broader community and granting organizations further supported these groups with an additional $12.5M ($6.7M in donations and $5.8M in ticket purchases, class and camp registration fees, and the like.) In turn, those 17 organizations alone supported 925 full-time, part-time and contract jobs and provided $6.3 million in wages to local residents. GROWING THE CREATIVE ECONOMY

CULTURAL CENTER NONPROFIT PARTNERS

17

PARTNERS

925

JOBS CREATED

4,291 536K

DONORS/ GRANTORS

PARTICIPANTS/ EVENT ATTENDEES

$1M

IN-KIND RENT VALUE

$6.3M $5.8M $6.7M

TICKETS/SALES REVENUE

WORKFORCE COMPENSATION

DONATIONS/ GRANTS REVENUE

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IN THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS

ART EVERYWHERE

The City’s Cultural Arts Plan calls for Creative Greensboro to enhance our environment through public art and creative place making. To do that, in 2021 2022 we launched the Downtown Arts program. A selection committee of City Communications and Marketing staff and Cultural Affairs Commission members chose pieces from 10 visual artists to be featured throughout the center city on 11 digital kiosks (see art on report back cover). Each artist received an honorarium. The works – including textile art, watercolor, digital design, photography, Sharpie illustration – will rotate through the kiosks until early 2023. So far, the first four pieces have been showcased for 5,678 hours, an in-kind promotional value of more than $17K . One artist, Raman Bhardwaj, was commissioned to create an original work based on his reflections of Greensboro in 2021. The digital piece, “Moving Forward with Hope, Joy, and Harmony,”was enlarged to 10 feet by 20 feet and installed in the Melvin Municipal Office Building (see art on report cover). It will be on display there through early 2023. A smaller version of the work will become part of the City’s permanent art collection.

I enjoy the diversity of Greensboro and see it as a melting pot of various cultures. Here, I not only see various cross-culture friendships and partnerships, but I also witness businesses and city government creating growth and opportunity for people of differing identities. I have attempted to capture the love and peaceful co-existence of diversity in this artwork.

— Raman Bhardwaj Visual Artist

Programs like Downtown Arts are important to give local artists visibility. As a working artist and a teacher, I appreciate having these opportunities to show my work and to model for my students how artists participate within the community and develop relationships.

— Steven Cozart Visual Artist

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Also launched in 2021-2022, our Neighborhood Arts Residency Program connected working artists and their neighbors to beautify and honor the vibrancy of three neighborhoods identified for reinvestment in the Housing GSO plan - Glenwood, Kings Forest, and Dudley Heights. The program was made possible with support from federal Community Development Block Grants, Kenan Institute for the Arts and HealthTeam Advantage. The six-month residencies accomplished far more than originally imagined – in the breadth of programs offered, work created, and relationships built. Neighborhood members selected Artists in Residence Sunny Gravely-Foushee, of the TAB Arts Center, Darlene McClinton, and Harry Turfle, who then created community-based art activities and worked with neighbors to envision and create public art projects. They brought in another 31 professional artists to support the work. Throughout the residencies, neighbors and artists worked as co-leaders. Programs included skills-based workshops like drawing and T-shirt printing, dialogue sessions about neighborhood identity, and paint-in the-park afternoons. Between the three neighborhoods, they designed 16 murals on sidewalks, crosswalks, and basketball courts. A picnic table, benches and a bus shelter were transformed with each neighborhood’s distinct vision. The historically-Black King’s Forest neighborhood honored six people who lived in their neighborhood, highlighting their unique history. More than 900 people participated in the three neighborhoods . In total, they created 20 new pieces of public art . And they set a new standard for how to work with and in the community. CONNECTING COMMUNITIES WITH CREATIVITY

— Zanzella Savoy Kings Forest Neighborhood Leader to this neighborhood and stayed all those years. It is one of the best things I’ve been a part of in the city – and I’ve done a lot! This project was the true meaning of art. It brought people together. It reminded me of why my mother and father moved

Glenwood is my home, so the residency program gave me an opportunity to more deeply connect with my neighbors and other artists in our community, and I have formed friendships because of it. The work of the residency has also acted as a catalyst, bringing people together who are continuing with more community-based projects afterward. It has demonstrated how powerful artists and creative projects are in building community.

— Harry Turfle

Glenwood Artist in Residence

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SPECIAL EVENTS

The City’s Special Events permitting office is also part of Creative Greensboro. Each year, a small staff coordinates across City departments to help a wide range of event producers run concerts, festivals, and other community events. We partner on large-scale events like the NC Folk Fest and produce the annual Aggie Fan Fest during NC A&T’s homecoming.

Working with Creative Greensboro was such a pleasure. The staff was responsive, kind and fun to collaborate with. They assured my team had everything we needed to have a successful event.

— Anthony “AJ”Morgan

Juneteenth Mural Concert & Block Party Organizer

EVENTS 128 ATTENDANCE 353K

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CREATIVE GREENSBORO PRESENTS

Creative Greensboro is the place to create and experience live theater and music. As pandemic restrictions lifted, we expanded our live and in person drama and music opportunities, building new partnerships and growing long-running programs. YOUR HOME FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES In 2021-2022, nearly 300 people participated in our drama programming to experience all aspects of live theater, including auditioning, casting, rehearsals, stage management, and performance. As part of our commitment to supporting creative organizations, we co-produced the children’s theater show“Don’t Sleep Under the Mapou Tree”with Scrapmettle Entertainment, “The Tempest”with Shared Radiance Performing Arts Company and “Finding Shakespeare”with Goodly Frame Theatre. DRAMA

Our collaboration with Creative Greensboro was a wonderful opportunity for Scrapmettle to develop and train some of its staff in directing, production management and stage management. Scrapmettle has its foundation in educating others about the arts and entertainment industry. This type of collaboration not only gives children the chance to experience the myriad of wonderful life lessons that come with their exposure to theater and performing arts, but also educates adults simultaneously.

— Kerri Mubaarak

Scrapmettle Co-Founder

Being part of ‘The Sound of Music’ with Creative Greensboro’s drama programming has probably been one of the best things that has happened to me! It was my first production, so I didn’t know what to expect and was super nervous about the unknown. The cast and director really helped me have an amazing first experience. We also continued our long tradition of supporting local writers through the 29-year old Playwrights’ Forum. And, we produced members’ original plays as part of our long running children’s theater program“Short Tales for Children”, a partnership with UNCG’s School of Theater Education, and “Evening of Short Plays No. 40.” Performances are free or low-cost , to expand access to theater to all community members. More than 4,600 people attended the shows.

— Julian Fields

Performed the role of “Rolf”

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The music ensembles of Creative Greensboro are an important part of our community. Not only do they provide opportunities for music making, but they provide an opportunity to fellowship with those who have a common goal of playing great music together that warms the hearts of our audiences.

— John Henry Jr.

Greensboro Big Band Director

I have so much love and respect for MUSEP! I’m always impressed by its ability to provide artists with a professional sound engineer, fair pay and complete transparency during the booking process. MUSEP understands what it means to truly care for and collaborate with its community.

New friends and music – two of the greatest things I could have! I have improved my music reading ability and my performance confidence has gone up. Our leadership offers inspiration and guidance! I am proud of our group and it has been a fantastic thing for me all around.

—MarkWagoner

Greensboro Concert Band Member

— “SunQueen”

Kelcey Ledbetter Singer

MUSIC MAKERS

Nearly 15,000 people attended our 23 Opus and MUSEP (Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park) concerts . The long-running programs feature Creative Greensboro’s community music ensembles and put an additional 64 artists and bands to work, spending $55,125 on artists’ fees while providing free access to music to the whole community. 2021-2022 MUSEP SPONSORS • Fox8 • HealthTeam Advantage • Melissa Greer Inc. • Moore Music • UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts 11

Live music was back in a big way. Some 327 musicians and singers joined our community ensembles – Greensboro Concert Band, Greensboro Big Band, Philharmonia of Greensboro and the Choral Society of Greensboro. Big Band transitioned to a new director, Dr. John Henry Jr. Part of NC A&T’s Music Department, Henry serves as the interim chairperson for visual and performing arts in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Top Row (left to right): “Red Hat Ladies Share a Secret” (watercolor) by Alexis Lavine; “Brittany Howard Portrait” (digital art) by Brendan Bresnan; “Green Swamp” (permanent marker) by Olivia Kellogg; “Dichotomy” (digital art) by Vernon Ingram; “Pawn in the Game: Targeted” (mixed media) by Steven Cozart. Bottom row (left to right): “Mouth Piece” (fiber arts) by Jasmine Best; “In Bloom” (mixed media) by Jessica Dame; “Mama Braiding” (mixed media) by Kym Cooper; “Samyoga” (painting) by Raman Bhardwaj; “Untitled” (photography) by RJ Hooker.

www.CreativeGreensboro.com 336-373-2026 Greensboro Cultural Center, Suite 101 200 N. Davie St. @CreativeGreensboro