From staff reports
Prince Brooks of 32 Productions is a 2022 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program grant recipient.
Brooks is a native of Clarion and a 2020 graduate of Clarion University with a degree in computer information systems.
“Photography and videography are what I am truly passionate about,” said Brooks. “Last year, I began freelance photography and videography and at the beginning of this year rebranded as 32 Productions.”
“Along with the rebrand, it was important for me to be well equipped for any future projects and the CEAP grant funding has helped me to upgrade my computer, lighting and audio equipment,” said Brooks.
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and theRegion 13 Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, United Way of Clarion Countyis pleased to make available the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program.
This program is designed to pair access toexisting small business consulting services with financial resources up to $2,000 for creative entrepreneurs whoaspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, and Indiana Counties.
Last year, United Way of Clarion County was named the Pennsylvania Partner in the Arts for Region 13 and was recently awarded continued funding for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
United Way of Clarion County is tasked with administering the state-wide program to the five-county region.
“We work with the Small Business Development Centers, PA Wilds, and other organizations that support small businesses and assist in their creation,”explained Melissa Fulton, United Way of Clarion County’s executive director.
“The SDBCs provide business owners and potential business owners with access to so many supports and educational opportunities.They are helping entrepreneurs create a solid foundation and setting them up for success from the very beginning.Our collaboration with them has been great so far.
“Creative entrepreneurs are an invaluable asset to our communities. They lead innovation, deliver creative products and services, generate economic opportunity, and contribute to a unique community identity,” continued Fulton.
Additionally, this program prioritizes the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts’ overarching value of diversity, equity and inclusion and investment in creative entrepreneurs who identify as black, indigenous, or persons of color or those located in and whose work benefits low-income communities.
To apply for the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program grant, individuals must be at least 18 years of age, be a current resident of Pennsylvania for at least one year and must have gross revenue less than $200,000.
Under this program’s definition, creative entrepreneurs intend to form a business or operate a for-profit micro business in Pennsylvania within one or more of the following creative industry areas:
- Marketing advertising and marketing agencies and professionals
- Architecture architecture firms and architects
- Visual arts and crafts galleries, artists, artisans and makers
- Design product, interior, graphic, and fashion design firms and designers
- Film and media film, video, animation, TV and radio businesses
- Digital games companies, programmers and individuals producing games
- Music and entertainment producers, venues, musicians and performers
- Publishing print or electronic businesses and content creators, editors and writers
Anyone interested in applying for this grant should reach out to United Way of Clarion County at (814) 226-8760 or through email at m.fulton@uwclarionco.org.
More information is available on United Way of Clarion County’s website at www.uwclarionco.org under the Region 13 tab.