Milwaukee's VIBEZ Creative Arts Space Receives $10,000 Beyoncé Grant
Chrishella Roché, Founder of Vibez Creative Arts Space. (Picture by Glenda Ruth of Gm.Photography)
The Queen B—Beyoncé—has always been known to give back to the Black community and COVID-19 has been no different. Beyoncé teamed up with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) through her nonprofit BeyGOOD to award $10,000 grants to small Black-owned businesses. During 2020 on the 15th of every month, businesses were selected and Milwaukee-owned VIBEZ Creative Arts Space was one of those grant recipients.
According to VIBEZ Founder Chrishella Roché, the grant came at the perfect timing and made a positive impact on the business. Her and the team had already invested in updating their POS system, but didn’t have enough funds to finish out the job. Yet, with their new grant, they were able to complete the update, along with putting money towards going completely virtual.
“It was around the holidays [when] things were slowing down and we weren’t really getting corporate business as much as we’ve done in the past,” said Roché. “I was kinda like ‘what are we going to do?’ and then I got the email.” The VIBEZ’s team was notified in November of 2020, but the public wasn’t informed till a few weeks later.
As an in-person space that provides an art experience, Roché and the team had to think of ways to bring that authentic feel online, which meant getting new equipment. After doing some research, the team purchased a laptop, a video camera, tripod, editing software and lights.
VIBEZ painting kits. (Picture by Chrishella Roché)
As a team of three, VIBEZ is providing online art classes. Participants can purchase paint kits that contain hand-drawn canvases, paint and brushes to paint live during VIBEZ’s virtual classes. The kits can also be shipped for those outside of Milwaukee.
“We’ve been able to pivot and find new ways to engage with people,” she said. “We definitely appreciate the love and support from the community. People have been very patient with us as we navigate this new normal.”
“Thank you for helping us through this pandemic,” Roché added.
VIBEZ’s classes were broken into different sessions while in person, including family time and ladies night. Now, VIBEZ has been offering virtual kid sessions to give parents a little time to themselves.
As a hub for artist and culture, Roché wants to showcase Milwaukee’s artists on a monthly basis. The space is already doing this quarterly, but she wants to expand it.
“I know that we have many artists in Milwaukee [and] I want them to be able to share their art with the world,” said Roché.
Paint virtually with VIBEZ Creative Arts Space. (Picture by Chrishella Roché)
Roché thanks her team for helping her push forward. Going into quarantine, it was just Roché and artist CannedBeatz, who would host virtual sessions.. Now, VIBEZ has an art assistant named Zhané, who helps run the social media and pack the painting kits.
VIBEZ also offers customized art for clients.
Roché has been taking business classes at a number of Wisconsin organizations, including the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin to make sure she stays ready for whatever comes her way business wise.
“When it comes to art just try. We’ve been trying and it’s been working for us,” said Roché.
To support and find out more information about VIBEZ Creative Arts Space, click here.
VIBEZ Creative Arts Space is located inside the Sherman Phoenix at 3536 W. Fond Du Lac Ave., Milwaukee, WI.