It’s not often that someone says “I have money and I would like to spend it on you,” but CreateHere located at 2601 Broad Street, Chattanooga, is doing just that in a very special way through two new programs: ArtsReach and ArtsMove. These programs greatly benefit both Signal Mountain residents personally as well as other people throughout the Chattanooga area.

ArtsReach “is a gift from CreateHere, to the neighborhoods in Chattanooga and on Signal Mountain," Helen Davis Johnson, Creative Strategist at CreateHere said. “CreateHere takes the arts to the front doorstep of the community with this program by bringing performance, public art, theatre and more, directly to people where they live. As a creative collective rethink project in Chattanooga, CreateHere has access to the best there is to offer in the arts. This program acts as a channel for getting that art into the community. We want to help build each neighborhood community’s strength through various arts programs”

At present, three neighborhoods are receiving the benefits of this program: Signal Mountain, Highland Park, and East Brainerd. Past events funded for Signal Mountain residents by Allied Arts included a Houston Museum Tea Party, CTC’s “Puss in Boots,” Family Day at the Hunter, Boys Choir Kid Sing, and a concert by the Ripe and Ready Players. These events took place at MACC and Allied Arts is open to residents’ suggestions for both future arts programs they would like to see in their area, and where residents would like any future events to take place.

ArtsMove is a “neat incentive program offered to artists both local and otherwise by CreateHere in partnership with the Lyndhurst Foundation and Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE)” said Johnson. ArtsMove is an “artist relocation program open to visual artists, performing artists, writers and artists of any discipline who will make a commitment to live in Chattanooga and enthusiastically contribute to the cultural vitality of our community in one of five qualifying neighborhoods: Cowart Place, Jefferson Heights, M L King District, Fort Negley, and Main Street. A homebuyer incentive is being offered to each approved artist. “It’s been proven that artists have a strong impact on the economy. We envision these artists sharing a sense of excitement throughout the communities and promoting an enriched atmosphere throughout these selected areas. The incentive is an up to $15,000 five-year forgivable mortgage which requires no pre-payment and accrues no interest, provided the artist purchases property in one of the qualified neighborhoods and the property remains owner occupied for the full five year term. Grants of $2,500 will be offered to cover relocation expenses for out-of-area artists and $1,000 for artists within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga. Artists new to Chattanooga will be featured in “In the City Magazine” and a dedicated website space will promote new artists as well. As our mission states, ‘The arts are for everyone, everywhere!’ We look forward to hearing from you!” Johnson said.

For more information, e-mail Helen Johnson at helen@createhere.org or reach her by phone 423-304-7603.