Pilot Grant Projects for SmART Initiative Scheduled August 23 in Greensboro
08/15/2012
Contact Info :  Rebecca Moore
Email :  rebecca.moore@ncdcr.gov
Phone :  (919) 807-6530

Raleigh, N.C. — Five communities in North Carolina will be named SmART Initiative pilot projects on Thursday, August 23 in Greensboro by Department of Cultural Resources Linda A. Carlisle. Additionally, grant funding for arts organizations around the state for fiscal year 2012—2013 will be released.

The announcements are scheduled at 11 a.m. at the Greensboro Cultural Center Atrium, downtown.

The SmART Initiative is designed to catalyze arts driven economic development in the communities of the state where the arts are the centerpiece of community revitalization. Towns and cities applied for the program earlier this year for projects that included plans for public art, a cultural district or cultural tourism development. All the projects demonstrate both private and local government support.

In addition to the SmART Pilot Projects, the Arts Council's 2012—2013 grant awards will be announced.

In the fall of 2010, Secretary Carlisle established a task force comprised of private developers, civic and government leaders, legislators, tourism and chamber of commerce directors and arts leaders. The Task Force, after a series of meetings and comprehensive reviews of successful projects, made recommendations for a program in North Carolina. Information about the SmART Initiative is available at www.ncarts.org/smart.

When: Thursday, August 23
11 a.m.
Where: Atrium, Greensboro Cultural Center
200 N. Davie St
Greensboro, N.C. 27402
Interview Options: Linda A. Carlisle, Secretary, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources
Wayne Martin, Executive Director, N.C. Arts Council
Tom Pilion, Executive Director, United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro
George Sheer, Director, Elsewhere Collaborative

The SmART Initiative Pilot Grant Program recipients will be made available at Noon on Thursday, August 23 at www.ncarts.org. For additional information, contact Rebecca Moore at (919) 807-6530.

About the North Carolina Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council works to make North Carolina The Creative State where a robust arts industry produces a creative economy, vibrant communities, children prepared for the 21st century and lives filled with discovery and learning. The Arts Council accomplishes this in partnership with artists and arts organizations, other organizations that use the arts to make their communities stronger and North Carolinians—young and old—who enjoy and participate in the arts. For more information visit www.ncarts.org.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Arts Council is a division of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, which annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State Archives.

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources serves as a champion for North Carolina’s creative industry, which employs nearly 300,000 North Carolinians and contributes more than $41 billion to the state’s economy. To learn more, visit www.ncculture.com.