Bedford, PA – The creative community of Bedford County is celebrating a significant achievement as two of its local artists, Morgan Young and Jennifer Judd, each have been awarded a $2,000 Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grants. These grants, aimed at fostering the growth and sustainability of creative businesses, will support both artists in their endeavors to expand their artistic reach and impact.
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program, administered by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), recently announced $46,000 in grant funding to support creative entrepreneurs in the region.
“The grant helped my business evolve into a stronger and more professional entity,” noted Morgan Young, owner of MY Fine Art. “I purchased up-to-date electronics that aid in tracking, communicating, documenting, and running a small-scale business. This assistance allows me to continue serving my local community to the best of my ability. Getting a new business up and running to full capacity, even during a post-COVID era, is more challenging than ever. This funding allows the gift of creativity to survive and thrive in my small hometown of Bedford.”
Young is a versatile artist whose sole proprietorship provides a range of artistic and creative services. Her business encompasses one-of-a-kind fine art pieces, including custom commission-based paintings and murals. In addition to creating art, Morgan is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and passion through teaching at Allegany College of Maryland (ACM). “Art is a tool that can be utilized in many ways,” says Young. “Teaching others by broadening their skills or deepening their art appreciation has become a deeply gratifying aspect of my business—one in which I hope spreads the joy that Art can bring to others.”
Jennifer Judd, known for her abstract fine art and graphic design under Jennifer Judd Designs, LLC, will use the grant to enhance her digital illustration capabilities. With an eye toward developing pattern design collections, Jennifer plans to invest in new technology that will expand her creative possibilities and enable her to explore new markets. “This grant is a game-changer for me,” said Judd. “It allows me to invest in tools that will not only refine my artistic skills but also support the growth of my business. I am excited to see where this new technology can take my work and how it can help me reach a broader audience within different markets”
“We are incredibly proud of Morgan and Jennifer for receiving this recognition,” said Jennifer Marsh, Vice President of the Bedford County Development Association. “Their dedication to their craft and their community is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing how this grant will help them further their artistic journeys.”
Both artists will be using the grant to not only enhance their individual practices but also to engage with the local community and demonstrate that entrepreneurship and creativity can go hand-in-hand. Their success is a testament to the thriving artistic talent in Bedford and the importance of supporting local artists.
This program is an opportunity for creative entrepreneurs to access free small business consulting services as well as the chance to apply for a $2,000 grant. Both aspiring small business owners and those operating existing for-profit micro-businesses are eligible for the program, making it a vital resource for nurturing the creative economy in the region.
Contact Morgan Young at myfineart814@gmail.com or Jennifer Judd at jen@jenjudd.com. To learn more about the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Grant, please contact Program Officer Emily Wood at the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies Emily Wood at ewood@cfalleghenies.org