Round 43: Small Business/Big Change: Economic Perspectives from Artists and Artrepreneurs is one of several projects in the running for the Robert E. Gard award. This is the inaugural year of the award which recognizes and celebrates an exemplary project from 2015 that has successfully crossed the arts into community life in meaningful measurable ways.

In the Project Row Houses exhibit “Round 43, Small Business/Big Change” five artists and two entrepreneurs examine community economics and gentrification in Third Ward. Round 43 builds off of Project Row Houses’ long-standing value of economic sustainability, artistic director, Ryan Dennis, conceived this concept that utilizes art as a method and lens of social change to explore the value of small businesses. Round 43 invited viewers to actively engage with creative entrepreneurs and visual artists who address economic issues within their practice. The exhibit inspired a movement and supported individuals who are putting in the work as small business owners and those investigating ideas of economic sustainability through art.

Project Row Houses partnered with artists and entrepreneurs from the local community to make Round 43 possible. Partners include: Ryan Dennis, Artistic Director; Eureka Glkey, Executive Director; Gayle Waden, Development Director; Michael McFadden, Marketing Director; Cheryl Flores, Programs Manager; and many others.

The winner of the 2016 Robert E. Gard Award will be announced at Americans for the Arts 2016 Annual Convention in Boston, MA during the Opening Plenary session on Friday, June 17, 2016, from 12:00 pm – 2:15 pm.