Arts Council Announces 1st Thrive Program Grant Recipients

• 3-year program provides sustainability for arts organizations led by and serving people of color

The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) has announced the three recipients of the first Thrive grant awards—All People Arts, Maroon Arts Group and State of the Arts Productions.

Designed in 2019, the program intends to address disparities in inequitable funding for arts and cultural organizations led by and serving people of color. The program acknowledges that organizations of color historically have experienced barriers to capital and resources.

“We are proud of our Thrive grant, which is a three-year engagement program. This is the most tangible outcome of the cultural equity work the Arts Council began in 2018,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Arts Council.

“Our hope is that providing unrestricted funding, coupled with access to expert resources to build capacity in essential nonprofit areas such as board development, financial forecasting and strategic planning, will enable these three organizations to build a firm foundation to help them grow and dream.”

Each of the three funded organizations works to increase access to the arts for the community, support learning and provide living wages for artists.

Thrive will provide an unrestricted $10,000 grant in year one with the option to apply for a second $10,000 grant, and also the opportunity to work on a capacity-building effort with a consultant (paid for by the Arts Council, up to $5,000) in year two, and mentor an incoming Thrive organization and receive a $5,000 stipend for their time in year three.

Agnes A-Danso launches album Oct. 17

Ohio, Columbus-based gospel singer, Agnes A-Danso will launch her album “Abrabo” with the theme “Peniel: For I have seen God face to face” on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Jesus Power Assemblies of God on Cleveland Avenue, Columbus at 6pm.

“New Music is booming all over Columbus, Ohio. Looks like Columbus is becoming the city of music and not Nashville,” said music producer James Quartey.

He said, “I’m excited to introduce another wonderful minister who serves in our music Ministry. We all call her Shabo lady. Her style is very unique if you love authentic Ghanaian music, you can’t go wrong with her. Her voice is one of a kind.”