It’s time to get into the holiday spirit and #shoplocal to support our North Carolina communities! Artists and artisans work hard all year but at the holidays, they really show up to share their beautiful work. Visit events across the state in November and December to enjoy and support the arts!
Topics Related to Arts Across NC
Header image: Santos de palo figurines.Photo courtesy of the Mint Museum
Header image: Multimedia artist Jenny Pickens. Photo courtesy of the artist.When disaster strikes, it disrupts life in ways that overshadow everything else. For Jenny Pickens, a multimedia artist based in Asheville, Hurricane Helene was just one of several challenges she faced last fall.
Header image: Photo by Sara Ridings, courtesy of A+ Schools of North Carolina / North Carolina Arts Council. As A+ Schools celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, we’re highlighting the voices of those who experience its impact every day. Teachers, administrators, and students shared what they love about A+ and how this transformative model has enriched their teaching and learning environments.
Header image: Students working together on a class project at Royal Oaks School of the Arts in Kannapolis, N.C. Royal Oaks is part of the A+ Schools of North Carolina network. Photo by Tibor Nemeth.We know that exposure to the arts positively impacts a child’s school experience, boosting retention, empathy, and overall satisfaction. Yet, convincing parents, administrators, and the public of the arts' importance to student performance can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. When it’s time to educate others about the value of the arts, here are five fast facts to share:
This summer, we welcomed Adrianna Long, a student intern from Durham and a recent graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She participated in a 10-week paid summer internship administered by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for students from the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHEs). Adrianna graduated from the visual arts program and has a special interest in arts administration.
Header image: Teachers at the 2025 A+ Schools of North Carolina summer conference at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Photo by Peter Shanahan
This past spring and early summer, the North Carolina Arts Council partnered with Triangle ArtWorks to present a new professional development program, ArtsCore. Over the past five years, senior leadership in arts organizations has turned over because of retirements and the pressures of COVID. Consequently, younger and new leaders are stepping into these roles and seeking guidance, mentorship, and an understanding of the state's arts landscape.
Header image: Ken Sedberry working on rabbit sculpture in the studio (L) and Galen Sedberry in front a wood kiln (R). Photos by Galen Sedberry
Header image: Secretary Pamela Cashwell (L) with Al Strong (R), a Grammy-nominated trumpet player, composer, recording artist, and educator. Secretary Cashwell wears a t-shirt from Come Hear NC, a Department of Natural and Cultural Resources initiative celebrating music in North Carolina. Photo by Holly Nelson