Culture Connects Arts
Advancing local arts by providing limited funding, resources, and support for community-centered projects.
Connecting Culture and Creativity
We empower local artists by lessening financial barriers and supporting community-driven cultural projects that celebrate diversity and creativity.
How to Donate:
The Culture Connects Arts Fund accepts donations exclusively online through our fiscal sponsor, the Community Foundation of Monroe County.
This is the only authorized donation page for the Culture Connects Arts Fund.
Culture Connects Arts Fund is a field-of-interest fund established under the Community Foundation of Monroe County, a trusted nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the region through charitable giving, philanthropy, and community investment.
Through this partnership, Culture Connects Arts Fund is able to:
Receive tax-deductible donations
Provide financial transparency and accountability
Ensure all funds are used for public-benefit, community-focused arts programming
Operate with the highest standards of nonprofit governance
The Community Foundation of Monroe County serves as the fund’s fiscal steward, meaning donations to Culture Connects Arts Fund are held, managed, and distributed through an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit framework.
What We Do
The Culture Connects Arts Fund is a community-powered arts fund created to support, produce, and uplift cultural creatives in Monroe County and the surrounding region.
The fund exists to help remove the financial and logistical barriers that prevent artists, storytellers, and cultural workers from bringing meaningful projects to life. Through donations, partnerships, and community support, the fund invests directly into exhibitions, performances, storytelling events, and creative programs that reflect the diverse cultures of our region hosted at Create & Be Studio.
Culture Connects Arts Fund doesn’t just provide funding— it provides infrastructure:
Staffing, marketing, production, and a creative home through Create & Be Studio.
Funding
Events
Venues
Our Work
Supporting artists through funding and events at Create & Be Studio
BLACK CULTURE IN THE BURG
Black Culture in the Burg is an annual community-centered celebration of Black art, music, business, and creative expression in Stroudsburg. Through pop-up markets, live DJs, visual art, and performances, this series creates a space where Black creators and community members can gather, connect, and be seen.
This initiative has helped spotlight local Black-owned brands, artists, and performers while creating a joyful, affirming space rooted in Black culture and pride.
By covering production costs, staffing, and artist fees, Culture Connects ensured that performers could focus on what they do best: creating and connecting with the community.
THE POETRY SOCIAL
The Poetry Social is a live spoken-word and poetry series that gives local writers, poets, and storytellers a platform to share their voices. From deeply personal pieces to political and cultural storytelling, this event creates a supportive environment for creative expression and connection.
Through Culture Connects Arts Fund, poets and performers were able to take the stage in a professionally produced setting at Create & Be Studio without needing to self-fund the experience.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ART EXHIBITION
The Mental Health Awareness Exhibition brought together visual artists, therapists, and community members to explore mental health through creative expression. Featuring artwork, panel discussions, and open conversations, the exhibition created space for vulnerability, healing, and honest dialogue.
Culture Connects supported this project by funding the production, performers, panelists and promotion — making it possible for important conversations around mental wellness to reach the local community.
LGBTQ PRIDE EXHIBITION
Culture Connects Arts Fund has proudly supported LGBTQ+ Pride events and exhibitions that center queer artists, performers, and community members. These events blend music, visual art, and celebration to create inclusive spaces where people can express themselves freely and safely.
Culture Connects helps ensure that queer voices and stories are visible, valued, and celebrated within the local arts scene.
Introducing the Creative Accelerator
The Creative Accelerator is a collaborative initiative, not just a funding opportunity. It is designed for artists who are interested in working in partnership with the Culture Connects and Create & Be team to develop thoughtful, community-centered projects.
Through this program, we work alongside selected artists through mentoring, planning, and collaboration to help shape projects that are both impactful and aligned with our mission.
Artists selected for the Creative Accelerator are expected to:
Be open to feedback and guidance
Commit to agreed-upon timelines and deadlines
Communicate clearly and professionally
Actively participate in the planning and execution process
Culture Connects and Create & Be reserve the right to pause or step away from a project if it no longer aligns with our mission, if commitments are not being met, or if the collaboration is no longer a good fit. This ensures the integrity of the program and protects the sustainability of the fund.
Through the Creative Accelerator, selected projects may receive partial funding and in-kind support, based on current fund availability. Support is limited and first come, first served.
Depending on the project, Creative Accelerator can provide:
Access to Create & Be Studio (based on availability and fit)
Basic event support (light staffing, setup guidance, and day-of coordination as available)
Use of existing in-house equipment (basic lighting/sound when available)
Promotion support (one featured post + inclusion in our newsletter/website/event calendar as available)
Ticketing setup (basic ticket link + door list support)
Light documentation (photo/video support when available)
Project coaching (planning guidance and timelines — not full-scale production management)
Important Notes on Funding & Support
Creative Accelerator is not a full-production house or unlimited grant program. We provide targeted support to help projects get off the ground — and each project’s support package is determined by the Culture Connects Arts fund’s current capacity, the needs of the project, and alignment with our mission.
How the Accelerator Stays Sustainable
The Creative Accelerator is designed so that funded projects can also generate revenue through ticket sales and/or sales during the event. This helps:
ensure artists can earn from their work
replenish the fund so we can continue supporting future creatives.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Local artists, creatives, and cultural storytellers are welcome to apply.
What support is offered?
We provide limited funding through the Culture Connects Arts Fund, event production help, and access to Create & Be Studio
How do I apply for the Creative Accelerator?
Applications for the Culture Connects Creative Accelerator are submitted exclusively through our official website using the application form provided.
This is the only way to apply for support. There is NO charge or submission fee to apply.
We do not accept applications through social media, email, third-party websites, or other organizations.
Please be cautious of scams or individuals claiming to represent us. We cannot be held responsible for applications submitted outside of our official website.
If you are selected or if we need additional information, you will be contacted directly by the Create & Be team via email.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, we have seasonal deadlines posted on our site for each funding round.
Are projects community-based?
Yes, projects should engage and reflect the local community’s culture.
How does venue access work?
Artists can book Create & Be Studio for performances or exhibitions at reduced or no cost if eligible.