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Haverhill-based Power of Self-Education’s COCO Brown initiative was recently named as one of 55 grassroots arts organizations across the state to receive a Catalyzing Vitality grant from the Barr Foundation.
COCO Brown, at 143 Essex St., is described as helping to sustain and expand “culturally vibrant, community-centered programming for artists and creative entrepreneurs north of Boston.” For more than six years, it has offered open mics, storytelling events, wellness workshops, youth and adult programming, civic and social events, entrepreneurial support and space for collective reflection, celebration and learning.
“POSE Inc. is a powerful example of how community-rooted creativity can spark healing, connection and opportunity,” says Francisco Torres, program officer for arts and creativity at Barr Foundation. “We’re proud to support COCO Brown through the Catalyzing Vitality initiative as it continues to build a space that nurtures artists and fosters a deep sense of belonging in Haverhill.”
Katrina “Kat” Hobbs Everett, co-founder of POSE and director/curator of COCO Brown, adds “Here we are healing from scarcity mindsets and fear of money. We are reimagining what thriving looks like for our communities, and then pursuing what we dream up!”
Catalyzing Vitality addresses longstanding disparities in arts funding by investing in smaller, grassroots organizations that have historically lacked access to long-term, flexible resources.
Founded in 1997, Barr works in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector and civic and business leaders to “elevate the arts and creative expression, advance solutions for climate change and connect all students to success in high school and beyond.”