Checking In: Updates on Previously-Funded Projects

by Kathy Harrison Some MDBF-supported projects take more time to come to fruition—we caught up with several organizations.

Durham Library Foundation

With the untimely death of our long-time trustee and friend, James D.B.T. Semans in December 2018, the board and staff searched for a fitting tribute to mark his 26 years of service. “Transformation Main,” the complete renovation and expansion of the Durham Library’s primary campus, provided the perfect opportunity. In recognition of Mr. Semans’ love of Durham, his respect for buildings both old and new, and his fascination with technology, the Biddle Foundation and the Jenny Lillian Semans Koortbojian Trust named the Innovation/Maker Lab in his honor. While available for all ages, the Innovation/Maker Lab is geared towards older makers, from older teens to seniors.

When the library can safely return to inperson programming, the Innovation Lab will provide space to foster innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit, helping people from ideation to creation and prototyping. The space will also have open lab hours and workshops to learn how to use the STEAM equipment. Planned programs will range from introduction to 3D printing and design on opensource operating systems, to crafting, to coding, and more. 16 Click! Photography Festival

Click! Photography is a month-long photography festival with curated exhibits and programming for all levels of photographic art. MDBF’s grant in September 2019 supported an expansion of the Programming Innovations for Click! (PIC) artist grants for innovative works to be exhibited during the 2020 festival. Click! was able to convert to a virtual festival easily, with programming addressing current issues such as racial justice and the COVID-19 pandemic. Six Feet Photography, Big Backyard, and Big Camera: Postcards for the Pandemic were the three projects selected for the 2020 virtual festival. The pop-up Camera Obscura event is shown above.

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Six Feet

Six Feet is a collaborative photography project that began as an urgent call to encourage people to share personal images during this time of social distancing. During the pandemic, the Six Feet project is a doorway to community for thousands of people. The free platform offers forums and practice groups, artist talks, calls-forengagement, and photographers of all levels willing to share their personal lives. “To be honest, our project has had an astounding impact well beyond what we could have ever imagined,’” said Susan Patrice, one of the founders. Durham Art Guild (DAG)

Durham Art Guild (DAG) is a visual arts nonprofit whose mission is to enrich and connect artists and arts enthusiasts in our community. In September 2018, the foundation gave a grant for the Art@Work program, which connects a broad range of area businesses and individuals with local artists to purchase or lease artwork. Working with the business client, DAG discusses options, evaluates the space, and curates the art, including installation. Artists receive a generous stipend for leasing their work or 100% of purchase price if bought outright. Art@Work facilitates and simplifies the process for the artist and art lover while providing sustainable revenue to DAG for the professional services offered.

Additionally, with people spending more time in their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DAG has created an Art@Home component to respond to individuals’ desire to have original art in their spaces. People will be able to browse mini-portfolios of artists, photographers, and other artisans.

Triangle ArtWorks

In September of 2018, Triangle ArtWorks received funding for ArtSwell, a collaboration with regional arts nonprofits to develop a coordinated program of high-quality professional development opportunities for artists and arts professionals. Just as they were preparing to launch these programs, the COVID-19 pandemic required them to reevaluate how to serve the needs of the art sector and develop a new plan. ArtSwell moved quickly to online training courses that focused on challenges created by the pandemic. The “Market Runner” program works with arts/crafts markets to create virtual venues and a collaborative marketplace while the monthly “Artist Entrepreneurship” explores topics such as Instagram as a sales tool. “Coping with COVID: Financial Implications for Creative Individuals,” offered guidance on money matters. They worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness to provide quality emotional support. From this collaboration, they developed “Creative Centering,” which offers morning meditation guidance, and “Conversation Café,” a bi-monthly forum for sharing and problem solving.

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September 1-15, 2020

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