Arts North Carolina

10/14/2026

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

10/13/2026

Congratulations to Arts North Carolina Board Member, Shane Fernando!! Wilmington Biz named Shane on its 100 List as an "Influencer." We are so honored to have so many amazing arts leaders on our board, including Shane!!

Congratulations and THANK YOU 💙 for everything that you do for the arts in NC!

Congratulations to Thalian Hall CEO, Shane Fernando, who was named once again to the WilmingtonBiz 100! 🏆💯

This recognition is no surprise to us at Thalian Hall, who are well aware of Shane’s dedication to using excellence in the arts as an economic driver. 📈🔥

Each year, the Business Journal recognizes the top 100 Power Players, Influencers, Innovators, Connectors, and Rising Stars impacting Southeastern North Carolina’s business landscape.

Thank you, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, for recognizing the leadership Shane brings to our region.🙌

10/09/2026

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

10/06/2026

⏰ 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

10/05/2026

WE VOTE ARTS! 🇺🇸 This past week, Arts North Carolina Members Arts Council of Wilmington and Arts AVL 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).

09/30/2026

Do you work in theatre, dance, or live music?

Researcher Annie Dorsen wants to hear from you. Share your experience with generative AI and help inform future policy, advocacy, and support for artists.
💡⤵
Take the survey here:https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8855295/3102026.

GenAI Usage in the Performing Arts.

09/29/2026

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!

09/27/2026

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! 💙

09/26/2026

Disaster preparedness may not be the first thing that comes to mind when building a creative business, but having a plan can make a critical difference when the unexpected happens.

Arts North Carolina Board Member Jamie Karolich recently spoke with the National Endowment for the Arts about disaster preparedness and recovery for artists and creative entrepreneurs.

Drawing from lessons learned in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, Jamie shares practical steps artists can take to protect their work, strengthen their businesses, and prepare for the unexpected.

We’re grateful to have Jamie’s experience and perspective represented on the Arts North Carolina Board of Directors.

Read the full Q&A and learn how to build a more resilient creative practice. ⬇️

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, we spoke with Craft Your Commerce's program director about the particular challenges disasters pose for artists and craftspeople, the practical steps creative entrepreneurs can take to protect their businesses, and how planning ahead can help them recov...

09/18/2026

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! 👏