AFCC Capacity Building Grant Program Benefits Local Artists

Four local artists are among those recently selected by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) to participate in its Capacity Building Grant Program.

Photographer Filipe (Lipe) Borges of Brewster, filmmaker Amy Davies of West Harwich, writer Gemma Leghorn of Orleans, and visual artist, painter and illustrator Amy Mason of Brewster were chosen, along with 11 others from across the Cape, to receive six months of one-on-one coaching in the development of a business plan; to be given priority access to a series of professional development workshops aimed at strengthening their creative practice; and to receive a $2,000 grant towards achieving their artistic goals.

Nearly 70 artists from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket applied for the program, which is now in its second year. In January, the 15 selected artists began to work with AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake as well as with artist Laura Shabott of Provincetown and psychotherapist, author, and public speaker Rick Miller of Truro on the creation of their business plans. In 2022, the AFCC received 51 applications for the first cohort; 12 artists, including Shabott, were selected and spent eight months growing personally and professionally.

Lipe Borges describes himself as an independent photographer who puts his camera to work on documentary and portrait projects. He said he loves photographing other artists and learning from their creative processes.

“The discipline and passion they dedicate to their art inspire me greatly,” Borges said. “One of the projects I'm super excited about currently is about Capoeira. It's an Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends fighting and dance. It's the only martial art conducted by music.”

Borges arrived on Cape Cod in 2020, and in 2021, he moved to an artistic community in Brewster, where he said choreographers, capoeiristas, dancers and martial artists share a culturally diverse and rich lifestyle.

“I still remember the first time I arrived on the Cape and felt the vibrant energy of the place. On that day, I knew I was entering a special space,” Borges said. “With the support and guidance of my mentors from AFCC, I understood and accepted the mission of telling the story of Capoeira on American soil. It's a privilege to be able to unite two great passions in my artistic work.”

Filmmaker Amy Davies knew about the AFCC Capacity Building Grant Program through some of last year’s recipients.

“What really attracted me to this grant was the support, not just the funding,” Davies said. “To have access to the workshops and to be a member of this cohort of people who are also interested in learning more about the business side of an art practice. It’s an opportunity to be able to talk about our creative pursuits together.”

Davies has worked professionally in video and media for over 20 years, and has recently turned her focus to more creative film projects. She had her first coaching session through the AFCC program a few weeks ago, and said the experience was encouraging and validating.

“What I am doing now is more experimental, something without a narrative, and a big part of this new direction is collaboration with artists of other disciplines to make films together,” Davies said. “The films are about an emotional reaction to our location here on the Cape, and not necessarily a narrative, but more exploring imagery and sound for short films. The AFCC is an incredible organization. They are so supportive of local artists. I knew the workshops, the mentors and the whole program would have that stamp of quality from the AFCC.”

Writer Gemma Leghorn is currently at work revising her first novel. She said was familiar with the AFCC through her many years of work with another local cultural organization, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.

“I've always admired the work the AFCC does to connect and tangibly support local artists,” Leghorn said. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen for the Capacity Building Grant. The Cape has so many deserving and talented artists, and I'm grateful to be part of the artist community here.”

Leghorn said she has already benefited from the program’s professional development workshops as well as the coaching. She said her writing process can feel solitary, and it is always so energizing to be reminded of the artistic undercurrent that flows all around.

“It's also really affirming to be part of a program that takes artist livelihoods so seriously, and celebrates all of us while giving us resources aimed to help us grow,” Leghorn said. “I hope to learn as much as possible from the other artists in the cohort. One of the best things about this grant, in my mind, is that we are moving through the program with fellow artists who have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.”

Artist Amy Mason said she was thrilled, honored and happy to be chosen for the AFCC Capacity Building Grant Program. Mason has recently begun to move from the colorful, whimsical digital illustration work she uses in her card business toward an old love — black and white pen and ink drawings on paper.

“I always gain something uplifting and helpful through the AFCC,” Mason said. “I work alone a lot. It’s nice to be around other creative people. I wanted the opportunity to be around all types of artists. You never know, you might get a nugget of inspiration from someone who writes music, from a dancer, you don’t know. The AFCC has always been a source of community for me. If I have a question or I’m unsure about something, or need a boost, especially Julie (Wake, AFCC executive director) is always willing to meet with artists, and she is always interested and kind.”

Mason has had one coaching session so far, and described the coaches as fantastic.

“They really saw and heard how I lit up when I talked about this part of my art, and they really got excited about that,” Mason said. “I showed them some illustrations I have been working on, and they loved it. They encouraged me to go with my heart.”

For more information about the AFCC visit artsfoundation.org.