Works In Progress Louisiana has received an investment of $5,000 to distribute directly to creative professionals living in north Louisiana parishes, including: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.
The nonprofit considers creative professionals to be people and organizations who transform cultural skills, knowledge, and ideas into goods, services, and events. The core cultural segments include design, performing arts, music, film, entertainment, literary arts and humanities, visual arts, and culinary arts.
Grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to each applicant. Requests for less than $1,000 will be considered as well.
“We are thrilled to receive this donation,” said Director Debbie Hollis. “As a relatively new arts organization, we weren’t expecting to begin funding creative work this soon. This donor stepped forward with $5,000, and insisted we give it to artists immediately. We are especially thankful that the donation came at the end of the year. Most other arts grant-makers have exhausted their resources, and we are just getting started!”
Board members will review applications for funding on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no deadline for submitting a proposal, but Hollis advises applying sooner rather than later. “With the current economy, we know that cultural workers need money now. We want to get this money into creative hands as soon as possible because the need is substantial.”
Application instructions can be found at the group’s website, and Works in Progress Louisiana continues to seek donors who want to invest directly in the careers of north Louisiana’s creative professionals.
Contact Debbie Hollis at debbie@worksinprogresslouisiana.com, or (318) 751.8540 to make a 100 percent tax-deductible contribution before year’s end.
In the photo: Erich Avinger and Alan Dyson recording a live session at KDAQ in Shreveport/photographed by Debbie Lynn Hollis.