The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts is excited to announce that it has been awarded $1,105,041 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Initiative. The funding will support a transformative three-year project titled “Establishing the Creative Network WV Arts Entrepreneur Ecosystem”, designed to bolster the creative community in West Virginia by expanding resources and opportunities for artists across the state.
This project, which represents a significant evolution in the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts’ mission to support West Virginia’s creatives, will enable artists to connect with essential resources, foster collaboration, and reach new audiences. The project will provide artists with greater access to tools and services tailored to their career stage and needs through enhancements to the existing Creative Network. Upgrades to the website will also introduce advanced search functionality, allowing artists to be found based on their medium, location, and projects. The project will establish a multi-vendor platform, expanding the reach of West Virginia artists statewide and opening new avenues for creative expression and entrepreneurship.
“We are extremely grateful to the Appalachian Regional Commission for recognizing the importance of this work and supporting our vision for a thriving creative economy in West Virginia,” said Renee Margocee, Executive Director of Tamarack Foundation for the Arts. “This funding will allow us to embrace innovation, empower our artists, and foster a more interconnected and sustainable creative community.”
The award is part of ARC’s $68.2 million package to support economic diversification projects in coal-impacted communities. As part of its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, the ARC is investing in 65 projects across 188 counties, aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and developing infrastructure in regions affected by the decline of coal industries.
“ARC’s POWER initiative supports coal-impacted communities’ preparation for the next phase of Appalachia’s economy, while ensuring that residents have a say in the course of their own futures,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The investments announced in this round of POWER will help train workers, advance new industries, and build upon the progress already being made toward a brighter future full of economic opportunity for our region.”
Since the POWER Initiative’s inception in 2015, ARC has invested over $484.7 million in 564 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties, helping create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs and preparing approximately 170,000 workers and students for opportunities in growing industries such as entrepreneurship, tourism, and broadband infrastructure.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission:
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a federal and state government partnership that works to strengthen economic growth across 423 counties in the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and foster socio-economic parity with the rest of the nation. Learn more at www.arc.gov.