Header image: Tift Merritt (L) and Rissi Palmer (R). Photos courtesy of the artists
This Independence Day, come to downtown Raleigh to celebrate the best of North Carolina. Capitol 250: North Carolina Freedom Fest is a free all-day festival hosted by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Held on the state capitol lawn, it will offer entertainment for all ages.
Header image: A student playing a wooden percussion instrument, a fish guiro. Photo by Tibor Nemeth, courtesy of NC Arts Council.
Header image: NCAC staff at ARTS Day. Photo courtesy of Arts NC and NC Arts Council.
Happy spring! As the season unfolds, I hope you’re finding moments to enjoy the beautiful weather and the vibrant arts opportunities in your community. Spring is always a busy time at the Arts Council, highlighted each year by ARTS Day, the annual conference presented by Arts North Carolina.
Statewide organizations are presenting performances, visual artworks, and literary programs that honor the tapestry of the American experience as we approach the two-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These events are part of America 250 NC, a program created by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to commemorate the anniversary and celebrate North Carolina’s contributions.
In McDowell County, in western North Carolina, a composer and pianist, Nathan Shirley, perceived an obvious gap in his region’s primary music education. Out of the county’s eight public elementary schools, only three had music teachers.
Header image: Volunteers help children with craft at 19th Annual African American Cultural Celebration. Photo by Eric Blevins, courtesy of the DNCR
Header image: students from Mary McArthur Elementary. Image courtesy of Mary McArthur Elementary
In 1995, A+ Schools of North Carolina launched whole-school arts integration by partnering with 25 pioneering schools. Today, we’re revisiting some of those trailblazers who, 30 years later, continue to innovate with A+ Schools.
Michelle Burrows has played a pivotal role in A+ Schools of North Carolina since its inception, providing steadfast leadership as its director for more than 15 years. She launched her teaching career in Oakland, California, where she embraced interdisciplinary instruction as part of her educational foundation. After relocating to Raleigh in late 1994, she applied for a fourth-grade teaching position at Charles R. Bugg Elementary.
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: 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