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Project/Program <br />Summary <br />"W eave & Spin" is a high-quality performance and open mic series with a <br />focus on local community and diversity. It is a one-of-a-kind project in <br />Orange County, as well as the Triangle Area in general. The format of the <br />program includes 40-60 minutes of performance by two literary or musical <br />artists, including poets, spoken word artists, fiction and non-fiction writers, <br />folk storytellers, and musicians of all genres. The performance is followed <br />by 30-40 minutes of a community open mic, in which all types of <br />performance are welcome. In 2022, I identified in Orange County an <br />absence of poetry readings featuring members of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ <br />communities, as well as younger literary artists (under 50 years old). This <br />demonstrated a gap both in community representation as well as <br />performance opportunities for those in younger and historically <br />underrepresented demographics. I created an event that could fill this gap; I <br />believe that it has and that it can continue to do so for years to come. I <br />personally research and solicit potential performers, often soliciting advice <br />from other artists and arts coordinators in Orange County. W eave & Spin <br />primarily features performers who are well-established in their creative <br />careers and have gained some level of public recognition and accolades <br />for their work, although occasionally emerging artists are featured as well. <br />The majority of performers come from Orange and Durham Counties in <br />keeping with the mission to keep the series community-oriented, but we <br />have had a few performers from the wider Triangle and Triad areas and <br />beyond as well. The event occurs on the third W ednesday of each month <br />over the entire calendar year from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with an extra half-hour <br />before and after for setup and takedown. I have been fortunate to have the <br />ongoing support of the Eno Arts Mill Gallery, which has graciously hosted <br />the series as well as provided a stipend for myself and an honorarium for <br />the featured performers, while keeping the event completely free to the <br />public. This grant will help me to take some of this financial burden off of the <br />gallery, as well as increase the performer honorarium to what I believe is a <br />fair rate. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 30D6DAC9-A371-498B-B453-603A53C723A7