2023 Project Grant Awards

The Gwinnett Creativity Fund Project Grants provides much-needed support for arts and cultural projects, initiatives, or programming. Projects range from one-time events (festival or cultural events), an event series (classes, arts programming) to ongoing arts initiatives (theatre seasons, film/TV training or film festivals.)  

For the 2023 Project Grant Cycle, we are pleased to announce funding for seventeen (17) organizations, totaling $109,000! Here are the “Big Check” photos for 2023 Award Recipients.

African American Culture & Arts Festival: $3,000 for the 2023 Festival. From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Andy Morgan, Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan (African America Culture & Arts Festival) and Victoria Hawkins (Explore Gwinnett).

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre: $8,000 for the Nutcracker. From L to R: Clara Rooks and Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Artistic Director, Lori Zamzow-Wire and Company Member, Sabrina Mack (Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.)

Lilburn Elementary School: $7,500 for a mural in their public playground. From L to R: Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett), Maura Goggins and Megan Suliveres (Lilburn Elementary School).

Sugarloaf Youth Ballet: $2,500 for the production of “Hansel and Gretel. “ From L to R: Clara Rooks and Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Artistic Director, Lori Zamzow-Wire and SYB company dancer: Addison Saechang.

Weird Sisters Theatre Project: $3,000 for “The Pros and Cons of Killing your Cult Leader” From L to R: Clara Rooks (Explore Gwinnett), Diane Camacho and Kelly Criss (Weird Sisters).

Aurora Theatre: $17,000 for “Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.” From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Ann-Carol Pence (Aurora Theatre) and Victoria Hawkins (Explore Gwinnett).

Fezziwig Foundation: $3,500 for the production of “Into the Woods.” From L to R: Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett) and Todd Miller (Fezziwig Foundation).

Live Arts Theatre: $2,000 for the production of “The Taming”. From L to R: Becca Parker, Andre Eaton (Live Arts) and Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett).

Suwanee Arts Center: $4,500 for Summer Art Camp support. From L to R: Cynthia Hill (Executive Director, Suwanee Arts Center) and Race Roberts (Explore Gwinnett).

Contemporary Classics Theatre: $2,000 for the production of “A Karaoke Riot”. From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Susannah Wilson (Contemporary Classics Theatre) and Victoria Hawkins (Explore Gwinnett).

The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning: $10,000 for Permanent Collection management. From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett) and Laura Ballance (Executive Director, Hudgens Center for Art and Learning).

Norcross Gallery and Studios: $3,000 for La vida através del lente (Norcross--Life Through the Lens) is a city wide photography competition. From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Anne Hall (Norcross Gallery) and Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett).

Suwanee Performing Arts: $2,500 for “Broadway in the Park.” From L to R: Victoria Hawkins (Explore Gwinnett"), Patty Etherton, Bernie Bock Davis (Suwanee Performing Arts).

Fresh Films: $17,000 for Summer Creative Cred workshops. From L to R: Lisa Anders (Explore Gwinnett), Theo Ogunyode (Fresh Films) and Clara Rooks (Explore Gwinnett).

JapanFest: $6,000 for the 2023 Festival. From L to R: Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett), Kazuko Lillie and Beth Mathews (JapanFest).

Spectrum Autism Support Group: $7,500 for Music/Art components of interactive playground. From L to R: Hailey Powell (Explore Gwinnett), Claire Dees (Executive Director Spectrum Autism Support).

Suwanee Public Arts Commission: $10,000 for Pierce’s Corner mural. From L to R: Clara Rooks (Explore Gwinnett), Denise Brinson, Chris Hardin, Tiffany Hardin (City of Suwanee).