Hello COCA friends, 

Thanks for your warm response to the new format for the COCA Classifieds newsletter. Remember that you can add your own classified listings for free - maybe you are looking for an intern or volunteer, have studio space to rent, or are offering a professional development series. These can all be added to the Classifieds section of our website, and your listing will be included in this email that goes to over 9000 recipients. If you have questions, just e-mail Erica!

If you are the admin of an organization, venue, or have an artist profile on www.tallahasseearts.org, fall is a good time to login and make sure your info is up to date. Let us know if you have questions.

Please follow us on social media - our links are above! #TallahasseeArts

All best,

The COCA Team: KathleenAmandaEricaNick & Pre
COCA has created several RESOURCE GUIDES that aggregate ongoing and similar listings by subject. These can also be found on the sidebar of the COCA Classifieds webpage.
Click this guide to promote your organizations and events to visitors and residents. You'll find:

  • COCA's Media Guide
  • COCA Resources for Visit Tallahassee Partners
  • Visit Tallahassee Industry Resources
Click this guide for quick links to regional and national advocacy pages and information about the Black Lives Matter movement.

  • Americans for the Arts
  • Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
  • Florida Cultural Alliance
Click this guide for federal, state, and local stimulus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for:
 
  • Arts organizations
  • Non-profits
  • Individual artists
  • Arts businesses
Advocacy
New! #RedAlertRESTART - Light Up Your Venue
September 1
A national advocacy effort, led by We Make Events, is underway to implore the US Congress to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814) as quickly as possible. The act will provide economic relief to the Live Events Industry, which has been shuttered since March 2020, putting millions of people out of work.

We Make Events asks that on Sept. 1, 2020, when buildings, structures, and residences will be lit in red from 9 pm – 12 am as the event rolls across North America, that you please join us in this demonstration. More info here
New! Americans For the Arts: ArtsVote
The Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) is actively supporting bills that can address the diverse needs of the performing arts presenting, booking and touring field; Your voice and your vote are critical. Check out this list of five actions you can take to support the arts now and during this election season here.
Community (COVID-19)
PPE Resources Available
The Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) is committed to helping businesses safely reopen. They have complied a list that includes companies and organizations located in Tallahassee-Leon County that have indicated that they source, manufacture, or distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). More info here
Leon County: "It's Not Too Much Too Mask"
Leon County launched the social media campaign, 'It's Not Too Much to Mask' to encourage the use of masks and facial coverings in public. If you'd like to participate, post a masked-up selfie and share why you wear a mask and for whom using #MaskOnLeon. More info here.

Emergency Funding & Resources
New! Association of American Educators Foundation: COVID-19 Relief Scholarship and Grant Program
Deadline: August 31
Awards are available for up to $500 for educators who have been impacted by school closures or other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Awardees will be given up to $500 to spend on: professional development costs related to obtaining new skills, costs related to the implementation of distance learning during school closures, and materials, programs, or projects related to the reopening of schools after the pandemic. More info here.
Leon CARES Grant Program
Deadline: August 31

Individual Assistance – Assists Leon County households with past-due rent, mortgage and utility bills. One-time payment up to $3,000.
Small Business Assistance – Assists Leon County small businesses with COVID-19 expenses such as employee wages, vendor bills, rent, utilities, promotion, and safety costs.
One-time payment up to $8,500 based on number of employees and other supplemental criteria.
Local Human Services Agencies Assistance – Assists local non-profit organizations* that provide or will provide human services with unanticipated programmatic and operational COVID-19 expenses. One-time grant up to $20,000. 

More info here.
Americans for the Arts Coronavirus
Resource and Response Center
Find up-to-date news and resources for the arts and culture field. Whether you are an individual artist/creative worker or an arts & cultural organization/arts agency, you'll find Federal Relief information, Relief funds, helpful webinars and other resources geared towards your individual/organization needs. More info here.
Funding (General)
New! The Center for Craft: Craft Futures Fund
Interest Form Deadline: September 1
The Center for Craft’s Craft Futures Fund will support craft communities throughout the United States and their creative responses to COVID-19. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that seed resilience, foster community, and amplify impact. An interest form must be filled out first, by Sept. 1, and applicants will be notified of invitation to apply on Sept. 3. Application due: Sept. 11. More info here.
FY21 COCA Cultural Grant and
COCA Cultural Tourism Marketing Grant Info
Deadline: September 11 (CTMG) & 25 (CG)

Guidelines for COCA's FY21 Grant Programs will be available all available now. More info here.

Watch the recording from the 11 AM August 5 workshop here - use password ?7j$xq4t

Watch the recording the 5 PM August 5 workshop here - use password 2W7!KwLV 

Consultations through Sept. 18, 2020 (CTMG grants are due September 11, so you'll need to book a consultation before the grant deadline)

Make an appointment to meet virtually with COCA staff for individual assistance. Even if this is not your first time applying for a grant, we urge you to take advantage of these consultations. Email info@tallahasseearts.org or contact Kathleen, Amanda or Erica at their email addresses above.
New! A Community Thrives Grant
Deadline: September 11
Gannett, the parent company of the Tallahassee Democrat, will be launching their annual grantmaking and crowdfunding program. Supported by the Gannett Foundation, the program offers an opportunity to share your great ideas for how to improve your community. They provide a national platform, a way to get your neighbors, friends, family, and peers excited to support your ideas, and most importantly a chance at $2,000,000 in grants to get them off the ground running. More info here.
COCA Arts Education Grant
Deadline: September 18
The goal of COCA's Arts Education Grant is to remove financial barriers for arts educators to access resources and arts experiences for their students, materials and equipment for their classrooms, and arts specific professional development opportunities for their own continuing education.

This grant supports creative instructional approaches by funding arts related projects not supported by school budgets. This program is not intended to supplant other funding sources. Its purpose is to support arts teachers who have innovative ideas for enhancing their curriculum or allowing students access to supplemental learning experiences in and through the arts. More info here.
USArtists International Grant Program
Deadline: October 1
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF) is committed to the presence of U.S. artists on international stages. The USArtists International program (USAI) supports performances by U.S. artists at impactful international festivals and performing arts marketplaces outside the United States and its territories. USAI funds the engagements of exemplary solo artists and ensembles across all performing arts disciplines including dance, music, theater, multidisciplinary work, and folk/traditional arts. MAAF is pleased to announce that the 2020 – 2021 guidelines are now available. The application will open on August 21, 2020, and the first deadline to submit applications is October 1, 2020, at 11:59 PM ET for projects taking place between January 5, 2021, and June 30, 2022. More info here.
$1,000 Grants - All Media Eligible
Deadline: November 17
The Hopper Prize is offering 5 individual artist grants in the amount of $1,000 USD awarded through an open call art competition juried by leading contemporary curators. The Hopper Prize was established in order to increase the recognition of artwork created by artists and photographers. Their aim is to advance artists’ careers by providing them with unrestricted financial support that is coupled with a platform for increased visibility. They are currently accepting submissions for the Fall 2020 Grant cycle. More info here.
Professional Development

Non Profits Invited to "Collaborate Big Bend"
Facebook Group
Collaborate Big Bend is dedicated to providing a forum for nonprofits in Tallahassee-Leon County area to break down existing silos and build toward new synergy through collaboration. They aspire for this group to support and engage in this work, as well as to participate, interact, build relationships, and foster opportunities to create a community like no other. More info here.
Promotional Opportunties
Add Events, Classes, Lessons, and Workshops
to the Tallahassee Arts Guide

If you're planning any type of event, be sure to post it on the Tallahassee Arts Guide - COCA's official interactive web calendar for arts and culture. 
Submit a "Behind the Scenes with COCA"
Social Media Album

"Behind the Scenes with COCA" photo albums showcase artists at work in their studios. We love to see the creative process and learn more about how our artists of all genres make their artistic magic happen. Enjoy these social media albums below, and submit your own album here.

View all the "Behind the Scenes with COCA" albums here.
Calls to Artists: Musicians
New! Auditions - The New Black Fest's Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments
Deadline: September 1
The FAMU Essential Theatre are currently accepting audition videos for our virtual performance of The New Black Fest’s Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments that will performed this Fall. The deadline to submit the audition videos will be on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. With callbacks on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. They are looking for talented actors from the age range of 18 – 35 (6 Men and 1 Woman). More info here.
Calls to Artists: Theatre
New! Musicians' Recorded Feature Series
Tallahassee Live Music Community (TLMC) established a Musicians’ Recorded Feature Series. Artists perform a 25-45 minute set of original music, to be professionally recorded. Only required staff members and band members are present. Bands are interviewed prior to performing, and receive professionally edited videos and image stills for their own marketing. TLMC markets the feature online, and accepts donations for a two-week period. Donations are split 50-50 to the band and to TLMC. The entire feature is provided free. More info here.
Calls to Artists: Visual Art
7th Annual 6x6 Exhibition & Sale
Deadline: August 31
Old School Square in Delray Beach, FL is excited to announce its 7th Annual 6x6 Exhibition & Sale. All artists, aspiring, professional and hobbyists, are invited to submit original artworks – any medium – in the 6″ x 6″ format for this all-inclusive art experience. All pieces will be featured in a virtual exhibition and will remain on view from September 21-28, 2020. More info here.
LeMasque at LeMoyne
Deadline: September 4
LeMoyne Arts is calling all mask-makers - ceramic, glass, plaster, fabric, papier-mâché, or wooden, as well as artistic creations celebrating the art of disguise & costuming - for their 'Le Masque at LeMoyne' exhibit. They would also love to include masks of cultural heritage, spiritual, or dance inspired origins. The exhibit will culminate with a special evening "masked" & costumed soirée at the gallery on Halloween. More info here.
New! Artisans in the Garden Virtual Event
Deadline: September 30
Tallahassee Nurseries is excited to announce their first-ever online, Artisans in the Garden Virtual Event. For the full month of November, they will be celebrating you and directing as much traffic as possible to your personal website. From social media to a dedicated Artisans page on the Tallahassee Nurseries website to the opportunity to have a Featured Artist Spotlight – they are prepared to brag on you all month long 75 virtual spaces available and 14 Artist Spotlights available. Each vendor must fill out this year’s online artisan registration, and the fee is $35 for each participant. More info here.
35th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition (CIFAC)
Deadline: October 6
The 35th Chelsea International Fine Art Competition (CIFAC) is an exciting opportunity for visual artists from all over the world and at any stage in their career to submit their work and win the chance to exhibit in New York City. Selected artists will also receive valuable promotional benefits and cash prizes. All awards aim to provide the winners with valuable exposure and help accelerate their art careers and encourage future productivity. More info here.
2021 Chain of Parks Art Festival
Deadline: October 31
The annual Chain of Parks Art Festival is a multi-day Fine Art Festival with a two-day outdoor exhibit held in a group of city parks known as the ‘Chain of Parks’ in downtown Tallahassee, Florida. The Festival awards over $10,000 in cash prizes with 165 juried artists competing. The Chain of Parks Art Festival has been recognized as a Legacy Event by Visit Tallahassee due to the 40,000+ visitors and patrons it attracts. All proceeds from this juried Fine Art festival benefit LeMoyne Arts, a non-profit community-based art center. More info here.
Calls to Artists: Writers
Lunch Ticket Call for Writers & Artists
Deadline: August 31
Lunch Ticket publishes work from new, emerging, and established writers and artists, in balance with conversations about social justice and community activism. They seek to give a platform to underrepresented voices that reflect diverse experiences.
They are currently accepting submissions for their contests; Diana Woods Memorial Fund for Creative NonFiction & Gabo Prize for Literary Translation. Winners of these contests will receive a $200 award. Submissions are open until August 31st. More info here.
Calls to Artists: Youth
The Bardlings Community Connection Project
September 9 - November 12
This new online Fall program was developed as a way for Middle and High School students to continue their theatre education, exercise their performance talents,
and connect with their community through Southern Shakespeare Company’smission of inclusion, diversity, and community engagement. With a focus on theatre and social change, the Community Connection
Project will teach students about the power of art to tell stories, create hope, and inspire change. More info here.
Student Online Short Film Contest
Deadline: September 30
The Northeast Leon Society for Arts & Culture (NELSAC) is conducting a Student Online Short Film Contest for students residing in Leon County, so they may demonstrate their film making skills, while coping with the Covid-19 pandemic. Students attending kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high schools in the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to participate in the Contest. More info here.
Submit Your COCA Classified
Click here to submit information for the weekly COCA Classifieds email. Deadline for submission is 5:00 pm on the Wednesday of each week. COCA reserves the right to include or exclude any listing at its discretion and to determine the content and placement of all listings. Items will be listed for a maximum of two editions.

COCA does not endorse any artists, organizations, or programs listed herein, nor imply stature through their inclusion in this newsletter. While we have made every effort to ensure that this information is correct, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information.  
COCA's programs are sponsored in part by the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.  

COCA does not endorse any artists, organizations, or programs listed in this newsletter. While we have made every effort to ensure that this information is correct, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information.