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Arts North Carolina is a tax-exempt nonprofit, recognized since 1982, that reported $309,851 in total revenue for tax year 2024.

General Election

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Celebrate Arts in Education Week 2026

Governor Proclaims NC Arts in Education Week 2026

Get Ready for NC Arts in Education Week

Proposed Federal Funding Changes May Have Major Impact

State Budget: Ticket Resale Reform Included

Act Now: Performing & Visual Arts for NC K-5 Students

Act Now for the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act!

Arts NC Goes to Washington

NC Governor Stein Proclaims Arts in Our Schools Month 2026

Federal Updates: NEA & NEH Fully Funded & More

Adam Santalla Pierce

Cathy Hardison

Jonathan Burger

Justin Dionne

Liz Fitzgerald

Lizette Cruz Watko

Shannon Henry

Jamie Karolich

Jordan Lee

Andrew Nurkin

Darlene McClinton

Ingrid Keller

Jim Knowles

Tabitha Sosdian

Nate McGaha

Nealy Andrews

Carly Jones

Christine Olson

Heather Strickland

Shane Fernando

Yona Wade

Raqi Barnett

🗳️ Today is Election Day, North Carolina! Every election is an opportunity to make your voice heard and participate in shaping the future of our communities. At Arts North Carolina, we believe the arts are an essential part of what makes our state a vibrant place to live, work, and connect. From arts education and cultural organizations to local artists and creative businesses, the arts touch communities in every corner of North Carolina. As you head to the polls today, we encourage you to stay informed, learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot, and make your voice heard. Your voice matters. Find your polling place and additional voter information through the North Carolina State Board of Elections: https://www.ncsbe.gov/

Friendly Reminder 🔔 Early voting ends THIS SATURDAY. Before you head out for some spooky fun, consider stopping by the polls. #WeVoteArts

Getting ready to head to the polls early, but need a little bit more information? Head to vote411.org. 🗳️ There you can find personalized voter information to send you to the polls with confidence! #WeVoteArts

Reminder 🔔 Now is the time to cast your vote early! 🇺🇸 October 31st is the cut off date for early voting. To find more details on the midterm elections, head to the link in our bio OR artsnc.org and select “elections.” #WeVoteArts

TODAY is the last day to request your Absentee Ballot! 📨 To do so, head here: https://votebymail.ncsbe.gov/app/home

🗳️ TOMORROW! In-person early voting begins! To find your polling place, head to: vt.ncsbe.gov/pplkup/ #WeVoteArts

Do you still need to register to vote? 🗳️ TODAY is the voter registration deadline. #WeVoteArts

⏰ This is your friendly reminder that THIS FRIDAY is the deadline to register to vote! Not registered? Learn more HERE: ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register NC Early Voting Begins Thursday, October 15th Want to vote early? Learn more HERE: ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-early-person

WE VOTE ARTS! 🇺🇸 This past week, Arts North Carolina Members @artscouncilwilm and @artsasheville hosted nonpartisan candidate conversations, where citizens could hear directly from their candidates about their plans for the arts and creative communities. THANK YOU to both organizations for hosting these important conversations for their communities and the arts! Reminder! ⏰ The Voter Registration Deadline is THIS Friday (October 9th).

Where in the world is Nate McGaha?... The Southeastern Museums Conference in Winston-Salem. Nate met with other Southeastern arts and culture leaders for the conversation "Forged Through the Storm: Resilience, Recovery, and the Power of Community." This conversation reflected on Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina’s cultural community, the partnerships that emerged in its aftermath, and the ongoing work of recovery and rebuilding. Together, panelists explored what long-term recovery looks like for cultural organizations and the important role museums and the arts can play in strengthening communities. Thank you to SEMC for inviting Nate and Arts North Carolina to join this important conversation!

Every day, thousands of North Carolinians hit the road. What if every drive became an opportunity to champion the arts? The Creative State license plate is more than a new look for your vehicle. It's a visible statement that creativity matters and an easy way to support Arts North Carolina's mission and statewide arts advocacy efforts. For just $30 each year: ✅ $20 supports Arts North Carolina's mission and statewide arts advocacy. ✅ $10 benefits North Carolina's Wildflower and Visitor Center Programs. Whether you're an artist, arts educator, performer, volunteer, patron, or simply someone who believes creativity strengthens our communities, this is an easy way to show your support wherever the road takes you. Ready to drive the arts forward? Visit thecreativestate.org to order your Creative State license plate. Thank you for supporting the arts in North Carolina! 💙

Music in motion in downtown Raleigh! 🥁🎷🎺🪊 What better way to wrap up Arts in Education Week? Each year, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction invites marching bands and dance teams from across the state to showcase their talent on Halifax Mall. Yesterday, Grimsley Senior High School Band from Guilford County brought the music, energy, and talent! Thank you to every student and educator whose hard work and dedication to their craft made this performance possible. 🎶 Join us in a round of digital applause for these students and educators in the comments below! 👏

🎶 "I can not imagine my life if I didn't have a music program in my school." 🎶 - Beyoncé Next up for Arts in Education Week, join us in celebrating @ncmea's distinguished music educators for the year! 👏 🎺 NCMEA 2026 Honor Administrator Award Dr. Robert P. Taylor | Superintendent, Wake County Public School System 🎷 NCMEA 2026 Dr. Lisa Adkins Runner Future Music Educator Award Annie Pinto | Gardner-Webb University 🎻 2026 NCMEA Hall of Fame Award Dr. Constance L. McKoy | Faculty Emeritus, UNC Greensboro 🥁 2026 Pat Hall Music Educator Advocate Award Kelly Jones | Arts Education Coordinator, Columbus County Schools

Arts Educator Stories During Arts Education Week! Nothing excites our team more than seeing arts advocates use the materials Arts NC prepares to create new arts advocates in their local communities! "First off, I want to say thank you to Arts NC for your many emails… On a Sunday afternoon just a week and a half ago, I was going through my email and ran into an Arts NC email about advocating during Arts in Education Week. I quickly emailed my superintendent and began the steps of having an Arts in Education proclamation passed where I teach, in Haywood County. I am happy to say that my superintendent responded promptly with nothing but full support! At last night's board of education meeting, Haywood County Schools signed the proclamation!!! So thank you, and happy Arts in Education Week." - Marna Leigh Dodson, Haywood County Educator Do you have an Arts in Education Week story to share? 💬 Message us!

Arts in Education Week continues. 🎭 Let's hear it for another round of Theatre Educators! Please join us in giving these teachers a round of digital applause. 👏 Honored by @@@nctheatreconference: 🏆 Dan Treharne | Theatre Teacher | Shelby High School | Shelby, NC | 2025 NCTC Herman Middleton Distinguished Service Award 🏆 Heather Achter |Theatre Teacher | Pine Lake Preparatory | Mooresville, NC | 2025 NCTC K-12 Theatre Arts Educator Award

Let's begin Arts in Education Week 2026 with the theatrical arts! 🎭 The North Carolina Theatre Arts Educators (NCTAE) annually honors an outstanding theatre arts educator in North Carolina with the NCTAE Educator of the Year Award. This award is presented to a theatre arts educator who has achieved a high standard of quality in their pedagogical endeavors. This person also has gone beyond the call of duty to provide an exceptional program that benefits their students and community and has shown their passion and dedication to the profession of theatrical arts. This recognition is presented at the Fall Sharing event and celebrates excellence in theatre education. Congratulations to Raqi Barnett, theatre teachers from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, NC for being named NCTAE's Educator of the Year!

🎭 🎨 Arts in Education Week kicks off NEXT WEEK! 🎶 🖼️ Join Arts North Carolina and The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction at Halifax Lawn in downtown Raleigh to enjoy the musical talents of the following NC high schools: 🎺 Grimsley Senior High School – Tuesday, September 15, 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 🎷 Scotland High School – Thursday, September 17, 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. We can't wait to see you there!

This Labor Day, we’re celebrating everyone whose work keeps North Carolina creative. Across our state, artists, educators, administrators, performers, designers, technicians, cultural workers, and countless others turn creativity into careers, and opportunities that strengthen communities and contribute to North Carolina’s economy. Today, we celebrate their work and the important role the arts play in North Carolina’s workforce and economy! Happy Labor Day from Arts North Carolina! 🎨

It's never too early to start preparing for the General Election! 🔔 Reminder: Voter Registration deadline is October 9th. 🗳️ #WeVoteArts

Whether you're an artist, performer, arts educator, volunteer, or someone who simply believes creativity enriches our communities, there's a place for you here at Arts North Carolina! Creativity needs champions and as an individual member of Arts North Carolina, you become part of a statewide community of arts advocates who believe the arts deserve a strong voice. Your membership helps support year-round advocacy, strengthens statewide and national partnerships, and ensures the arts continue to have a seat at the table where important decisions are made. We hope you'll join Arts North Carolina today and help us build an even stronger creative future for our state! Get started. Head to the link in our bio or 👉 artsnc.org.

Every day, arts organizations across North Carolina inspire creativity, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for people of all ages to experience the arts. At Arts North Carolina, we're committed to supporting that work through year-round advocacy, statewide connection, and resources that help the arts community thrive. When you or your organization becomes a member of Arts North Carolina, you're joining a network of arts leaders, educators, nonprofit organizations, creative businesses, and advocates working together to strengthen the arts across our state. Your membership helps amplify the collective voice of the arts while supporting efforts that protect funding, inform policy, share resources, and build meaningful connections across North Carolina. Whether you're a local arts council, community arts organization, museum, theater, gallery, orchestra, dance company, or nonprofit serving your community through the arts, your perspective matters, and your voice makes our collective advocacy stronger. Together, we can continue building a North Carolina where the arts are recognized as an essential part of vibrant communities, a strong economy, and a thriving future. Become a member today and join us in shaping what's next for the arts in North Carolina! Head to the link in our bio to get started or artsnc.org.

Arts North Carolina is pleased to welcome our newest board members! Please join us in a digital round of applause for these wonderful arts leaders from across our state. 👏 ✨ Liz Fitzgerald, Executive Director at @cabarrusartscouncil, Concord, NC ✨ Cathy Hardison, Executive Director at @wilsonartsnc, Wilson, NC ✨ Shannon Henry, President and CEO at @artscouncilwsfc, Winston-Salem, NC ✨ Jamie Karolich, Craft Your Commerce Program Director at @mtnbizworks

Every day, thousands of North Carolinians hit the road. What if every drive became an opportunity to champion the arts? The Creative State license plate is more than a new look for your vehicle. It's a visible statement that creativity matters and a way to support statewide arts advocacy through Arts North Carolina. For just $30 each year: 🎨 $20 supports Arts North Carolina's mission and arts advocacy efforts. 🌻 $10 benefits North Carolina's Wildflower and Visitor Center Programs. Whether you're an artist, arts educator, performer, volunteer, patron, or simply someone who believes creativity strengthens our communities, this is an easy way to show your support wherever the road takes you. Ready to drive the arts forward? Visit the link in our bio to learn more and order your Creative State license plate. Thank you for your support of the arts in North Carolina!

Big ideas are cooking at Arts North Carolina! This week was filled with meaningful conversations and a room full of arts leaders who care deeply about the future of the arts in North Carolina. Our Board of Directors gathered in Raleigh, NC, to reflect, collaborate, and begin shaping what’s next for Arts North Carolina. We couldn’t be more excited about the conversations happening behind the scenes and where they’re leading! 🎶🎹🎭🎨🖌️🖼️🧑‍🩰🎺🪕 A massive thank you to each of our board members for your support and participation, and to Armstrong McGuire for helping lead those conversations.

Today, we celebrate more than 250 years of creativity in our nation. 🇺🇸 Here’s to the visionaries who thought beyond the frame, the storytellers who gave voice to our shared experiences, the musicians who shaped the soundtrack of generations, the dancers who moved history forward, the makers who honored tradition, and the innovators who reimagined what art could be. From quilts to canvases, stages to streets, symphonies to spoken word, creativity has always been part of our American story. This Independence Day, we celebrate the artists, advocates, and communities who continue to shape our cultural landscape, one bold idea at a time! Happy Fourth of July from the entire team at Arts North Carolina. 💙

NC House of Representatives and NC Senate leaders have agreed upon and released a FY2026-27 state budget bill (SB257) and conference report. Arts NC is grateful that the budget bill includes The Real Tickets, Real Fans Act language in its entirety. In our latest blog, we break down what the proposed state budget could mean for arts funding, arts education, and creative communities across North Carolina, along with policy updates like the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act, legislation aimed at creating a fairer ticket-buying experience for fans and protecting access to live events. Head to the link in our bio or artsnc.org to read more!

🎻 250 Years of Creativity: The Sound of the Mountains Long before recordings, radio, or streaming, stories were passed from generation to generation through song. In the mountains of Western North Carolina, traditional Appalachian ballads carried the history, culture, and voices of communities for centuries. These songs, rooted in the traditions of early Scottish, Irish, and English settlers, found a lasting home in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and continue to be preserved today. One of the most celebrated keepers of this tradition is Sheila Kay Adams, a seventh-generation ballad singer, storyteller, and musician from Madison County. Through her music, storytelling, and dedication to preserving Appalachian heritage, she has helped ensure these centuries-old songs continue to inspire new generations. Thank you to artists like Sheila Kay Adams who remind us that our history is not only written in books, but carried in the songs we sing. 💙🎶 Sources: @neaarts Also featured: @donnaraynorton

It may be summer, but soon enough, the new school year will be upon us, and that means new NC CAE swag! Stop by the Arts North Carolina store and grab yours. 🥤Shop Now → https://artsnc.mlswebstores.com/

Arts North Carolina joined friends and colleagues at @americans4arts AFTACON in Albuquerque, New Mexico this week. There, we learned about all of the amazing new initiatives and moments of activation for the arts throughout the nation! Stay tuned for more on what we discovered along the way. Pictured 📸 in order: 1. Nate McGaha with future, current, and past Arts NC board chairs - Jazzmone Sutton @nafme, Katie Cornell @artsasheville, and Rhonda Bellamy @artscouncilwilm 2. The Creative States Coalition 3. North Carolina Arts leaders who lunch! 4. Erin Harkey - CEO at Americans for the Arts 5. Jamie Bennett on a panel discussion 6. Jazzmone Sutton joins a panel discussion

Arts North Carolina had the privilege to be back at @thepourhouse for a press conference with @repdeborahross to discuss The Protect Working Musicians Act (PWMA). This Act “empowers artists by allowing them a market-based path to protect and be compensated for their work when large digital platforms and AI companies use it. The bill provides a narrowly tailored antitrust safe harbor so that sole-proprietor musicians can band together to negotiate fair licensing terms.” - protectworkingmusicians.org Thank you to Representative Ross for your support of this act and of musicians throughout North Carolina!

Arts Advocates, this is your call to action! 📣 The K-5 Performing and Visual Arts Requirement is currently included in the version of the NC state budget passed by the House of Representatives last year, as part of a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Kyle Hall, Rep. Becky Carney, and Rep. Erin Paré. That bill has bipartisan support with 26 total sponsors. Arts North Carolina helped craft this legislation in partnership with Rep. Carney and Arts Education Leadership Coalition member organizations. Specifically, this would direct school boards to provide all kindergarten through grade five students in NC public schools to receive: ✅ Standards based instruction in both Performing and Visual Arts, 🧑‍🏫 By subject-licensed educators in standard sized classes, ✏️ or 30 minutes once every 5 instructional days for each subject. Please help by urging your NC General Assembly representative to support a K-5 Performing and Visual Arts Requirement to empower every NC student’s constitutional right to a sound basic education. Get started here: https://artsnc.org/advocacy/action-center/ OR head to the Action Center in the link in our bio. Thank you for everything you do to support the arts in North Carolina!

"Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future." - Elie Wiesel To those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and to those who continue to serve, thank you! 🇺🇸

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect Legislative Day and our attitude of gratitude just continues to grow! ☀️ THANK YOU to each of the Representatives that took time to meet with our Arts Advocates this past week, THANK YOU to every Arts Advocate and Arts Leader that dedicated their morning to these crucial arts policies, THANK YOU to all of the performers that shared their mission and craft with us, and THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors that makes both days of ARTS Day possible!

What happens when artists, advocates, educators, performers, and creative leaders from across North Carolina gather in one space? ✨ Connection. Inspiration. Momentum. Action. ARTS Day 2026 reminded us that the arts are not just something we experience… they are something that strengthens communities, fuels local economies, supports education, and brings people together across our state. To every attendee, speaker, performer, sponsor, volunteer, and advocate who joined us this year: thank you for making this year’s Conference Day so impactful and energizing. Your voices, ideas, and passion continue to move the arts forward in North Carolina.

When fans buy tickets, they deserve transparency, fairness, and confidence that their tickets are real. 🎟️ That’s why Arts North Carolina is proud to support S849: the “Real Tickets, Real Fans Act,” bipartisan legislation designed to protect North Carolinians from deceptive ticket resale practices that hurt audiences, artists, venues, nonprofits, and our state’s creative economy. This week, we joined legislators, venue leaders, artists, and advocates for a press conference in support of this important bill and the people it protects: the fans. The Real Tickets, Real Fans Act would: 🎟️ Increase transparency for ticket resellers 🎟️ Ban deceptive resale practices and fake affiliation claims 🎟️ Stop speculative ticket sales for tickets sellers do not actually possess 🎟️ Help prevent bots from bypassing ticket restrictions Thank you to Senators Jay Chaudhuri and Vickie Sawyer for joining us at the press conference and for championing this legislation. We also want to recognize and thank Tim Moffitt for his support of the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act. We are also deeply grateful to Heather LaGarde, Laurelyn Dossett, and Justin Dionne for sharing their experiences and perspectives during the press conference and helping highlight why this legislation matters to venues, artists, and audiences across North Carolina. Learn more about the Real Tickets, Real Fans Act by visiting the artsnc.org Advocacy Center. @senatorsawyer @jay_chaudhuri

Please join us in welcoming our featured presenters at day 1️⃣ of ARTS Day tomorrow! 👏 @iamhannahhasan - An Award-Winning Poet, Speaker, Playwright, and Theatre Producer Jamie Bennett - works with nonprofits, philanthropies, and government agencies through a partnership with @lordculturalresources. Olivia Tarpley - Public Policy Manager at Americans for the Arts Ken Melton - Principal/Owner of Ken Melton & Associates Donovan Zimmerman - Executive and Artistic Director of the @paperhandpuppet

ARTS Day kicks off in just 3️⃣ days and we cannot wait to see you all, and experience these amazing, North Carolina artists! Joining us on Conference Day are... Paperhand Puppet Project 🎭 and 🪘 @africaunpluggedmusic! Can't make it to ARTS Day? That's okay. Stay tuned to our social media channels to experience ARTS Day from wherever you are!

Thank you to our Supporter Sponsors this year! Everything you do advances creative communities across the state!

Thank you so much to our Presenter Sponsors of ARTS Day! Your support is advancing the arts advocacy in North Carolina. Thank you for what you do daily in your local communities to help the arts thrive! 💙

Arts North Carolina had the pleasure of meeting with fellow arts leaders for the @neaarts National Council on the Arts Public Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. There, we discussed art communities recovery from disasters like Hurricane Helene, and visited areas like Marshall, NC to see that recovery in action. It is a beautiful thing to see arts councils, like @madisoncountyarts, and studios, like @marshallhighstudios open back up their doors! A special thank you to @southartsorg, @artsasheville, @ncartscouncil, and @neaarts for making this meeting a reality.

⏰ ARTS Day 2026 registration will close tomorrow (May 5th) at 5PM! This is your chance to join artists and arts leaders from across the state to prepare for action for the arts, and then meet with their elected representatives at the NC General Assembly to deliver a message about the ARTS that is simple, inclusive, and positive for North Carolina! Register NOW. ➡️ artsnc.org/arts-day/arts-day-registration/ We can't wait to see you next week, on May 12th & 13th!

Thank you to the @ncsymphony for your support of ARTS Day this year!

Thank you to the @ncdeo for your sponsorship and support of ARTS Day 2026!

Thank you, ARTS Day Grand sponsor, @kenaninstituteforthearts! We are so grateful for your support!

Join us in celebrating our Grand Sponsor, Mary Duke Biddle Foundation! Your support is moving arts advocacy forward in North Carolina!

Thank you to our Grand Sponsor @wilson.center.arts! Thank you for your support of arts advocacy in North Carolina!

Join us in celebrating our ARTS Day Grand sponsor, Koka Booth Amphitheater! We are so thankful for your support of the arts throughout NC!

Thank you @artsncstate for your continued support of the arts in North Carolina!

Join us in celebrating @uncsa as an ARTS Day Grand Sponsor this year!

Thank you to Wyrick Robins for your support of ARTS Day this year!

Thank you so much, our ARTS Day Grand Sponsor, @durham_arts! Your support is moving the arts forward in NC!

Only ONE WEEK left to register for ARTS Day! Will you join us? Arts advocacy matters!! Join artists and arts leaders from across the state to convene as peers, prepare for action, and then meet with their elected representatives at the NC General Assembly to deliver a message about the ARTS that is simple, inclusive, and positive for North Carolina! Register NOW. ➡️ Head to the link in our profile. We can't wait to see you on May 12th & 13th!

Thank you to our Champion Sponsor, @asccharlotte! 👏 Your support makes an impact on artists and creative throughout North Carolina.

Join us in celebrating Champion Sponsor, Carlyle Adams Foundation! 👏 We are so appreciative of your support for arts advocacy in North Carolina.

Join us in celebrating our Champion Sponsor, @artscouncilwilm. 👏 Thank you for your generous support of ARTS Day 2026!

Thank you so much to ARTS Day Champion Sponsor, the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland Co. for your support of ARTS Day this year! Your sponsorship is helping drive arts advocacy in North Carolina forward. ❤️

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