Hatch: A Hamtramck
For the month of December, Hatch: A Hamtramck Art Collective is competing for a $50,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project.
The grant is awarded according to popular vote, so Hatch is hoping for strong support from the local community.
Hatch, a grassroots non-profit organization that organizes and promotes the arts in and around
Hatch purchased the building in 2008 in order to convert it into a community art center.
"This grant would help us open our doors quickly," said Christopher Schneider, founder and president of Hatch.
"We have completed many major repairs.
This money would enable us to finish off the details."
The Pepsi Refresh Project allows the public to vote on which projects should be funded.
Voting is free although you have to register with an email address.
Once you register, you can vote for up to 10 projects.
Each day you can vote again.
"We are hoping that people not only vote for us, but that they vote for us every day in the month of December," said Schneider.
"That's 31 votes for Hatch!"
To vote, go to www.refresheverything.com and search for "Hatch".
To make it easier and track our progress, voters can also go to the Hatch website at www.hatchart.org.
Once completed, Hatch's art center will offer an art gallery, 12 artist studios, a gift shop, a classroom, and a community work space that will feature a darkroom, a kiln, a printing press and more. It will also keep part of its history by preserving one of its jails for visitors to see. The building's roof has been replaced and thousands of volunteer hours have helped restore the structure that sat vacant for four years prior to Hatch's purchase.
"This is your chance to give a gift to the community without costing you a cent," said Schneider.