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About UsNorth Carolina had long been recognized for rich traditions in crafts, literature, historical drama, and music when, by executive order in 1964, Governor Terry Sanford created the North Carolina Arts Council to strengthen North Carolina's creativity, invention, and prosperity. Under Governor Dan K. Moore, the Arts Council became a statutory state agency in 1967. It operates today as an agency of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, the nation's first cabinet level state agency for the arts, history, and libraries. The N.C. Arts Council is governed by a 24-member board appointed by the Governor, a 26-member staff, and serves as the steward of state and federal funds appropriated for the arts. Arts Council Board meetings are open to the public. Our Mission: To Make North Carolina a Better State Through the ArtsAs we have for over 40 years, the N.C. Arts Council:
Our FundingThe North Carolina Arts Council is a state agency and receives the majority of its funding from the North Carolina General Assembly. The Arts Council's budget is currently going through the legislative budget process. ARTS North Carolina, the state's arts advocacy organization, keeps its members and the public up to date on the budget process. See the 2009 Legislative Update and learn more about ARTS North Carolina » The N.C. Arts Council also receives an annual appropriation from the National Endowment for the Arts. Through a competitive grants program, non-profit arts organizations, artists, schools and others receive support. See the latest grant funding statistics » Our VisionNorth Carolina's arts industry is robust and fuels the state's knowledge-based creative economy. Artists are an integral part of civic life as they stimulate creativity, innovation, and dialogue. Our cities vibrate with the energy of the arts; and our rural communities reach deep into their roots and celebrate their unique traditions. Residents in every corner of North Carolina have the chance to engage their artistic aspirations. The arts help children flourish through a complete education that prepares them for the workforce with 21st century skills. The arts build bridges where diverse communities reach across boundaries to celebrate and share their cultures. The arts are an essential ingredient in state policy, practice, and pride. View our 2009–13 Strategic Plan for Creative North Carolina » Our ImpactNorth Carolina's economy is creative at its core. Our state's rich artistic traditions have contributed significantly to the state's economic vitality since the last century. North Carolina is known for a rich cultural heritage rooted in the arts, with the first local arts council in the nation and the first state supported symphony and museum of art. Today more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations provide opportunities for citizens to experience arts in their own communities. The Arts Council supports and advocates for arts organizations and individual artists. Our diverse audiences show that the arts are relevant to the lives of North Carolinians and critical to the future of North Carolina and all of its communities. Our grant awards become a "blue ribbon stamp of approval" to leverage additional funds from foundations, businesses, and local governments, generating almost $16 in matching funds for every $1 invested. Search our grant history database » The arts industry in North Carolina provides nearly 159,000 creative sector jobs—making up more than four percent of total employment in our state. Creative industries pay more than $3.9 billion in wages each year. The arts teach our children the skills that will make them successful in the 21st century workforce—innovation, imagination, critical thinking, and collaboration. Nearly 4.3 million children and youth participate in Arts-Council funded classroom and after school arts experiences each year. |
