Funded Partner Spotlight: Cultivate the Creative
Founded in 2020, Cultivate the Creative (CTC) is a nonprofit organization created to remove socioeconomic barriers to art programs and art supplies for youth in underserved communities. The group received two capacity-building grants from the Foundation in 2023 to strengthen infrastructure and develop programming for kids.
With one of their $10,000 grants, focused on mental health and wellness, the group partnered with local experts and artists to build their Elevate Creativity curriculum for high school students. The incorporated sections on nutrition, movement, relationships and conflict resolutions, financial management and more. After laying that groundwork, CTC launched the first iteration of the program this past spring, bringing together a core group of seven South St. Pete high school students for 9 weeks.
“It was really awesome to finally get it off the ground,” said CTC Founder and Director Kristen Kerr. “There were more challenges than we thought and there are a lot of ways we want to adjust it, but it was successful and definitely something we’ll do again.”
CTC used their second $10,000 capacity-building grant to improve their website and create a community resource guide for the families they work with, including youth in the foster care system. Since inception, CTC has supported more than 50 youth living in a group home with expressive art, movement, and mindfulness practices.
This past year, CTC applied for an additional Foundation capacity-building grant as they’re interested in expanding and developing their board and creating a strategic plan.
“I’d love for us to put some systems in place so that we’re more sustainable and not as reliant on volunteers and part-time staff. We also want us to have a strategic plan that clearly lays out the goals we’re all working toward,” Kerr said.
CTC is currently looking to expand its board. If you’re a local entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone with marketing experience who wants to get involved with an arts-focused nonprofit that works with underserved youth, email or visit their website at cultivatethecreative.org/.