Charlotte is Creative
Website: charlotteiscreative.com
Facebook: @CLTisCreative
Instagram: @CLTisCreative
Twitter: @CLTisCreative
KEY PERSONNEL
Co-Founder: Matt Olin
Email: matt@charlotteiscreative.com
Co-Founder: Tim Miner
Email: tim@charlotteiscreatove.com
ABOUT: Charlotte is Creative is a multi-faceted initiative to connect, promote, and support Charlotte’s creative sector. Programs and resources include the live events Creative Mornings/Charlotte and Queen City Quiz Show, the HUG (Helpful Unfettered Gift) micro-grant program, and the official media channel, The Biscuit.
“Everything we do is in service of fortifying creativity in Charlotte, championing the diverse people making it happen, and strengthening the mutually-enriching relationship between Charlotte’s creative and business communities.”
PROGRAMS
Creative Mornings/Charlotte Chapter: CreativeMornings/Charlotte is a free monthly breakfast lecture series that features networking, local speakers, and live music in an interactive format. Part of an international community with more 200 chapters around the world, the Charlotte chapter launched in 2015.
“Our Global Manifesto articulates our beliefs and guides our programming: Everyone is creative.
A creative life requires bravery and action, honesty and hard work. We are here to support you, celebrate with you, and encourage you to make the things you love. We believe in the power of community. We believe in giving a damn. We believe in face-to-face connections, in learning from others, in hugs and high-fives. We bring together people who are driven by passion and purpose, confident that they will inspire one another, and inspire change in neighborhoods and cities around the world. Everyone is welcome.”
Helpful Unfettered Gifts (HUG) Creative Micro-Grant Program: HUGs (Helpful Unfettered Gifts) are $250 strings-free micro-grants – aka “Love Bombs of Cash” – awarded monthly to non-profit and for-profit creative initiatives in Charlotte to help propel the project forward or remove a small obstacle to its overall success. Thanks to generous sponsors and private donations, more than $50,000 in HUGs have been awarded to 170+ Queen City creatives doing work across Charlotte in the categories below:
HUG recipients also receive coverage in The Biscuit, networking opportunities, press and PR opportunities, professional development resources, and a broader platform of awareness and support.
Queen City Quiz Show: At its core, Queen City Quiz Show is meant to present those who experience it with new information about Charlotte, to facilitate discussion, to entice people to explore and experience communities across Charlotte, and to encourage them to get involved in supporting their neighbors and addressing critical needs and issues facing our city. QCQS employs fun, humor, and creativity to empower Charlotteans to shape our city’s future.
980Fest: Charlotte is Creative hosts 980Fest meet-ups, where newcomers to Charlotte can network and learn about the city, its creatives and nonprofits, and how they can get involved.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Artists come together to paint 'BLACK LIVES MATTER' mural on uptown street - WLOS
Morning meetings inspire Charlotte ‘creative types’ - The Charlotte Observer
Matt Olin: Charlotte’s new champion of creativity - The Charlotte Observer
CreativeMornings, Days and Nights - Charlotte Magazine
Charlotte Talks Conversation with Matt Olin and Patrice Gaines - WFAE
Have a Creative Streak? - The Charlotte Post
CreativeMornings will fill your stomach and feed your soul - Charlotte Five
CreativeMornings is Coming to Charlotte - Charlotte Agenda
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