The Falls Church Economic Development Authority Board of Directors approved a $6,000 grant yesterday to F.C.’s Creative Cauldron, a non-profit that provides performance and visual arts programs for children and adults, the City announced in a press release today. The vote was unanimous following a presentation by the Cauldron’s executive director Laura Hull and Meg Wiant.

EDA member Phil Duncan said of the Creative Cauldron, “You all are doing terrific stuff. Your programs spread Falls Church’s name far and wide, bring new people into the City, generate customers for other local enterprises, and of course, enhance the City’s arts and culture scene.”

The grant is expected to be used to expand the arts organization’s exposure to Washington, D.C. metro area audiences and arts patrons. “This is a big commitment of funding support that will pay year-round dividends in business activity generated by visitors drawn to Falls Church by their interest in the arts,” noted David Tarter, chairman of the Economic Development Authority (EDA).

Located in ArtSpace Falls Church, at 410 S. Maple Ave. in the Pearson Square Building, Creative Cauldron has been offering year round theater productions, music performances, art classes, workshops, and camps for youth and adults since opening in June 2009.

The goal of Creative Cauldron in the next year is to attract 12,000 participants and patrons to ArtSpace from throughout the D.C. region. The organization will expand its marketing campaign to target 10,000 households by direct mail, access lively arts listings in The Washington Post, place ads in the Falls Church News Press, and will use social networking and other strategies to boost attendance and interest.

In 2008, the EDA joined the City of Falls Church and Transwestern Investment Company to provide funding support to cover expenses for the build out of ArtSpace.