Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta

Jennifer Long is the new Executive Director for The Creatives Project, the city of Atlanta's first non-profit to support the creative class through affordable housing programs. The Creatives Project (TCP) is focused on continuing to generate a “circle of giving” through strengthening and uniting arts, education, community, and commerce by creating an arts eco-system that empowers eager citizens to recognize Atlanta’s potential.

Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta article image

The Creatives Project in Atlanta

TCP emerged from the fundamental need to connect available resources to Atlanta’s diverse yet separated communities.  Through the implementation of crucial and deliberate arts and culture initiatives and leading arts-based education, this non-profit organization strives to change the face of Atlanta by giving voices to those in historically minoritized and marginalized communities that lack an outlet for creative expression.

Long received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism – Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Strategic Management and Marketing from Pepperdine University.

She has over 20 years of entrepreneurship, non-profit, and corporate experience and has held management positions in network distribution for several entertainment brands.  On the weekends, she is an on-air radio personality “Shea Love” on Atlanta’s Kiss 104.1 Radio Station and is a host for the Georgia Lottery on WSBTV Channel 2. 

Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta article – Creatives Project image

Can you tell us about your role as Executive Director for The Creatives Project?

I manage the operations of the organization which includes, strategy, marketing, communications, programming and all of the strategic components to ensure that they are running smoothly and aligned with kind of our bigger vision which is to support Atlanta-area creatives through affordable housing programs.

The Creatives Project celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022.  They will hold their 11^th Annual Exhibition, ASCENSION, starting February 12 through March 13. This event will showcase the aesthetic exploration of their 2020-22 resident artists and their works and selections from their tenure with the non-profit organization. – Jennifer Long 

What is the meaning of this year’s exhibition theme – ASCENSION?

ASCENSION is about taking The Creatives Project to the next level.  This involves expanding who the program is available to and ultimately increasing the number of artists that can be impacted by affordable housing. We are also looking into opening the program to creatives in various industries where in the past we have mainly focused on visual arts. I am excited about growing our outreach and continuing to build and strengthen relationships in the both the business and residential communities.  There so many opportunities to expand the work that we're doing and connect with other creatives. – Jennifer Long 

The non-profit organization currently has two programs for creatives – The Creative Community Housing Project (CCHP) and the CCHP Artist-In-Studio Long Term Studio Space.  Applications for both programs are reviewed and selected by a panel of judges.

The Creative Community Housing Project is a two-year residency program supporting emerging, practicing, and mid-level artists by providing spacial subsidies to provide affordable housing and studio spaces, professional development, and teacher training. The works of all artists participating in this program are showcased at the annual fall exhibition.  Following participation in the program, the artists give time to underserved communities through outreach organized by TCP’s Community Arts Program.  Over the past 10 years, this program has supported more than 40 artists and more than 200 young people have had one-on-one mentorships with these artists.

CCHP Artist-In-Studio Long Term Studio Space program provides up to six visual artists with studio spaces and exhibition opportunities for two years. Over the past ten years, the studio space has been located at The Goat Farm Arts Center and exhibitions have been hosted in partnership with developers across town.

Artist-In-Studio Fellows

This year’s Artist-In-Studio fellows include two filmmakers – Crystal Jin Kim and Artemus Jenkins.  Crystal is an award-winning Filmmaker and Visual Artist.  Several of Crystal’s short films have been screened at US and international film festivals. Artemus is an award-winning Filmmaker and Documentarian. Artemus created the first and only documentary detailing the lives and history of black tattoo artists titled Color Outside the Lines.

The Creatives Project’s ART-FORCE at the Academy Lofts at Adair Park is the first concept of its kind in the city of Atlanta.  It is a symbol of inclusionary neighborhood revitalization and community engagement through the establishment of a live/work atmosphere for artists and creative enthusiasts from throughout the region.  The Academy Lofts is a historic renovation project, the location was formerly the George W. Adair Elementary School.

Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta article – Artists in Studios Fellows

Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta article – Artists in Studios Fellows

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We hope you loved Simply Amazing Living's “Jennifer Long and The Creatives Project in Atlanta” article written by Autumn Murray. The article originally appeared in the Georgia Hollywood Review.