The Creatives Project wins the 2015 Advancing Atlanta Award

You've already voted Neda Abghari as one of http://clatl.com/atlanta/atl-neighborhood-mvps/Content?oid=13816897ATL’s Neighborhood MVPs. It comes as no surprise, then, that her initiative, The Creatives Project (TCP), has garnered the attention of her fellow Atlantans. As the recipient of the inaugural Advancing Atlanta Award, The Creatives Project will receive a cash prize of $1,000 to continue their mission of creating an “arts ecosystem.”

The project works to integrate an individualized support system for local artists with a community oriented arts outreach program. There are two main facets to the platform: the Community Arts Program (CAP) and the Creative Community Housing Project (CCHP). CCHP provides resident artists with studio space and subsidized housing in the Southwest Atlanta neighborhoods of Capitol View and Adair Park. While there, the artists receive promotional support, exhibition opportunities, and professional development. In exchange, the artists agree to participate in arts-based youth outreach through CAP, which works with programs such as Jacob's Ladder, One Love Generation, Perkerson Elementary School, VSA Arts of Georgia, and the youth of Yo Boulevard!. It’s cyclical. It’s sustainable. It’s exactly the sort of thing our communities need.

If the award isn't affirmation enough of their merit, their fellow nominees certainly are: other big name organizations such as the Atlanta Beltline, Trees Atlanta, and Wonderroot were also considered. Ultimately, the winner was decided on by a cast of community voters. TCP's ability to organize the attention and support of the community for the award acts as testament to their willingness and capacity to execute large scale goals. Advanced Aesthetics, PC, no doubt had this in mind when they created this award in the first place.

Hats off to TCP!