I have just returned from two days in Kinston attending the NC Arts Council Board Meeting.  Bravo! to Sandy Landis who put on quite a two day spread of hospitality, content, and on-the-ground testimony about the value of arts in the east.  It was a productive and content rich two days, and I will be [...]

As the 2011 General Assembly draws to a close, the staff and Board of Arts North Carolina send a hearty thank you and congratulations to all arts advocates  who helped move our industry forward in the toughest of environments.  Among the key achievements you accomplished are: •             Grants funding to the North Carolina Arts Council [...]

Dear Senators,   On behalf of my Board, our 250 organization members and their Boards, and the arts industry of North Carolina, we respectfully request that you pass H289 in Senate Finance on Wednesday WITHOUT AMENDMENT.  It has come to our attention that Committee leadership intends to amend the bill to prohibit specialty plates from [...]

what happened…We had an amazing Arts Day.  On the same day, the House General Government Chair proposed a budget that cut grants programs of the North Carolina Arts Council by 23%.  Arts advocates were outraged and wrote/spoke in record breaking numbers.  Representative John Torbett supported partial restoration to arts grants and historic sites.  General Government [...]

The following is a re-posting from New Hampshire.  This state is fighting the elimination of their Department of Cultural Resources and State Arts Council.  Substitute the words “North Carolina” for New Hampshire.  We are all connected in our advocacy. by Christine Dwyer, Portsmouth city councilor, former chair of Art-Speak, recipient of the 2011 Governor’s Arts Award [...]

Your advocacy is working.  The Legislature has been overcome with calls and emails asking for restoration of the General Government proposal to cut grants funding to the North Carolina Arts Council by 23%.    Several key items: The Call has been extended to 5pm on Monday.  If you were not able contact your Legislator before [...]

The House General Government released its budget recommendations that include a 23% cut in the grants program for the North Carolina Arts Council ($1,500,000) and a 15% overall Department of Cultural Resources reduction.  IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED.  This unfair recommendation can be changed by the Appropriations Chairs and Republican members of the House General Government [...]