Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, Calls for Participation in CenterFest 2013 – Deadline May 31, 2013

In 2013, the Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, celebrates the 39th Annual CenterFest Arts Festival. CenterFest is the longest running juried outdoor arts festival in North Carolina and the largest arts and community festival in Durham. CenterFest showcases over 190 juried visual and performing artists from across the country and provides visitors with great food, diverse entertainment, and educational activities for families.

The 2013 CenterFest will be located in the Downtown Durham City Center, including Morris, Main, and Chapel Hill Streets, Five Points and CCB Plaza. The site configuration will reflect downtown’s many exciting new retail, restaurant, streetscape and public spaces and maximize the festival goers’ enjoyment of the visual and performing arts and festival offerings as well as downtown amenities.

CenterFest historically draws 25,000+ festival visitors

Friendly and supportive festival staff

Easy load in/load out

Strong media partnerships and promotions throughout the Triangle region

Artist applications due on May 31, 2013.

The CenterFest Visual Artist Application is now available through the Zapplication website: (www.zapplication.org).

New and returning artists who wish to participate in CenterFest 2013 must submit an application on-line with images and application fee.

Convenient on-line payment and image upload. Application fee due with application. Booth fee due when accepted.

For more information on CenterFest please visit (http://centerfest.durhamarts.org) by calling 919/560-2722.

Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, Calls for Participation in 39th Annual CenterFest Arts Festival – Deadline May 31, 2013

In 2013, the Durham Arts Council celebrates the 39th Annual CenterFest Arts Festival in Durham, NC. CenterFest is the longest running juried outdoor arts festival in North Carolina and the largest arts and community festival in Durham. CenterFest showcases over 150 juried visual and performing artists from across the country and provides visitors with great food, diverse entertainment, and educational activities for families.

CenterFest Features Visual Artists working in Clay, Drawing, Fiber, Glass, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Wood, Jewelry, Sculpture, Mixed Media and more.

VISUAL ARTIST APPLICATIONS DUE May 31, 2013.

CenterFest historically draws 25,000+ festival visitors

Friendly and supportive festival staff

Easy load in/load out

Strong media partnerships and promotions throughout the Triangle region

Artist breakfast and lunch each day

Cash awards plus Citizens’ Choice Awards

Official Hotel offering special artist rates and amenities

VIP Breakfast on Saturday to draw targeted art buyers!

For full details visit (http://www.zapplication.org/public_fair_preview.php?fair_id=2404).

Abstract Artist, Don Mertz, Hangs Eight Paintings in Durham, NC, Mayor’s Office

North Carolina abstract artist Don Mertz of Cary, NC, recently loaned eight paintings to the City of Durham, NC, which are now hanging in Durham Mayor Bill Bell’s office at 101 City Hall Plaza.

Ranging from 20-inch squares to 48-inch squares, the mixed media on canvas paintings are from Mertz’s Watermark Series.

“The Watermark Series includes a group of paintings that are distinguishable by their background of watery, pastel, colorful ‘dripping/running’ sheets of color with a saturated, impasto, abstract area at the top or bottom,” Mertz explained.

The eight abstract paintings will remain in Mayor Bell’s office until mid-May.

Mertz donated “Watermarks on Lavender and Blue” to the Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, NC, for that organization’s live auction fundraiser in February.

Mertz was chosen to hang work in City Hall out of the list of artists who have had shows at the Durham Arts Council. He had a solo exhibition there in 2010.

The arts program at Durham City Hall is made possible through a partnership between the City of Durham’s Office of the Mayor and the Durham Arts Council. According to Mayor Bell, the exhibition series celebrates local artists while simultaneously giving the artists exposure to a different audience in a different venue.

“I felt this was a great opportunity to further celebrate not only these artists and their work, but to show all visitors that come to my office the caliber of arts we have in the Durham community that help to make it the special place that so many of us fondly call home,” Bell said.

Mertz moved to Cary from New York City 12 years ago. Since then, his abstract paintings have been included in many solo- and group exhibitions throughout the Triangle region and sold to numerous art collectors.

For more information, visit (www.mertzart.com).

Grant Applications are Due at the Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC – Mar. 1, 2013

Grant applications are due at the Durham Arts Council Building in Durham, NC, by 9pm on Friday, March 1. 2013.

Applications are now available for the Durham Arts Council’s Season Grants. These grants are designed to support arts activities occurring between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Non-profit arts organizations or non-profits planning an arts activity may apply. An applicant must have non-profit 501c(3) status or apply using a fiscal agent that has 501c(3) status. The applicant organization must be based in Durham County or produce the majority of its programming in Durham County. An applicant may request cash and/or use of space in the Durham Arts Council building. Season Grants are not awarded to support fund-raising activities.

A representative of each first time applicant organization must discuss their proposal with Margaret DeMott, Director of Artists Services, Durham Arts Council, before completing the application. Representatives of previous applicant organizations are also encouraged to ask questions or discuss application drafts. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact DeMott at 919/560-2720 or e-mail to (mdemott@durhamarts.org). An information session to introduce the program to new applicants is scheduled for Monday, January 28, at 6pm at the Durham Arts Council. The information session is free and open to the public.

Applications are available at the front desk of the Durham Arts Council, located at 120 Morris Street in downtown Durham, or may be downloaded from the Durham Arts Council web site at (www.durhamarts.org).

Season Grant cash awards are funded in part by individual, corporate and foundation contributions to the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund. For more information on giving opportunities to support the programs of the Durham Arts Council go to DAC Annual Arts Fund.

The 2012 Durham Holiday Market Takes Place in Durham, NC – Nov. 17 & 18, 2012

Produced and presented by the Durham Arts Council, the Durham Holiday Market kicks off the holiday season with live music, festive food and stress-free shopping for unique, locally made gifts. Treat yourself and your family to this free and easy Third Friday and Saturday! The Market takes place on Nov. 16, from 5-9pm and Nov. 17, from 10am-4pm at the Durham Arts Council and other downtown sites!

The work of local visual and craft artists will be on display at the Durham Arts Council, Vega Metals, The Smitten Boutique, Claymakers, Urban Durham Realty, Bull City Arts Collaborative, Through This Lens Gallery, the West Village and Rock Paper Scissors Salon and Gallery. The Holiday Market program and map will be inserted in the Nov. 11 issue of the Herald-Sun and also posted at (www.durhamartwalk.com) so you can plot your route in advance.

Third Friday activities feature a 5-7pm reception for exhibits by David Baker, Matthew Litteken and Nuno Gomes in the DAC Galleries as well as the opening of the Durham Art Guild Annual Juried Show.

Family-friendly activities including holiday films and cartoons on view Saturday at the Durham Arts Council.

Live music scheduled at the Durham Arts Council Friday evening and Saturday, organized by Kirk Ridge of the North Carolina Songwriter’s Co-Op.

Also enjoy fantastic restaurants, Durham’s delicious food trucks include Olde North State BBQ on Friday night, American Meltdown on Saturday, and Cute and Sweet Boutique baked goods during the entire event!

The event is free and open to the public. Rain or shine.

Durham Arts Council Announces Winners of CenterFest 2012 Held in Durham, NC

CenterFest 2012 (the 38th Annual) held on Sept. 15 – 16, 2012, was a great success in its new location in the heart of downtown Durham, NC. Weather on Saturday was fantastic and we didn’t let the clouds on Sunday dampen our spirits! Over 24,000 people enjoyed great art and lively performances in downtown Durham throughout the 2-day weekend!

The festival showcased 130 visual artists from 18 states, 63 performing artists and musicians on five stages, over 40 community nonprofit, civic and government groups, the new creative community exposition, a selection of locally sourced and festival favorite foods and two creative kids zones.

DAC’s Director of Artist Services, Margaret DeMott, presented four Merit Awards to outstanding artists during CenterFest’s juried art show.

Thanks to our distinguished judges:

Lee Hansley, Owner, Lee Hansley Gallery
Laura Way, Executive Director/CEO, Green Hill Center for NC Art
Jeffrey York, Public and Cultural Arts Administrator, Town of Chapel Hill

Jean Yao, a basketweaver from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, was selected by the Merit Award Judges as the Best in Show winner this year. She wins the cash award of $1,000, award ribbon, and complimentary booth at Centerfest 2013.

Santiago Gutierrez, a ceramics artist from Zebulon, North Carolina, receives a $600 cash award and ribbon for 1st Place.

Barbara Umbel, a jeweler from Melbourne, Florida, receives a $500 cash award and ribbon for 2nd Place.

Richard Wilson, a pastel artist from Greenville, North Carolina, wins a $400 cash award and CenterFest ribbon for 3rd Place.

Durham Coca-Cola Citizen’s Choice Award Goes to Jeweler Melissa Lowery, a jeweler from Zebulon, NC.

For further information call the Arts Council at 919/560-S2787 or visit (www.durhamarts.org).

 

 

 

FRANK: InFocus Festival Taking Place Throughout the Triangle Area of NC Adds New Events for October 2012

The FRANK: InFocus Festival taking place throughout the Triangle Area of NC (Chapel Hill, Durham, & Raleigh) have added new events to its offerings in October.

Image by Christopher Sims

On Oct. 4, 2012, at 4pm – Kids are getting in the photography action with a special workshop led by FRANK member artists Nerys Levy and Sudie Rakusin.

On Oct. 11, 2012, at 4pm – Ackland Museum Guided Tour of Hiroshi Sugimoto’s stunning “Lightning Fieldsled by museum educator, Betty Carr. Limit 10. RSVP to reserve a space with FRANK by e-mail at (info@frankisart.com) or call Torey Mishoe or Barbara Tyroler at 919/636-4135.

On Oct. 13, 2012, from 6-10pm at the Wallace Parking Deck in Chapel Hill – Guest musician Alison Weiner with Mahalo Arts and Friends to perform improvizational jazz to FRANK:InFocus outdoor slide show. Bring your slides. More information on FRANK Blog at (www.frankinfocus.tumblr.com).

On Oct. 20, at 1pm at Kidzu Museum in Chapel Hill – Parent workshop on creatively photographing your child with FRANK artist photographer Barbara Tyroler.

“Water in Our World,” UNC Water Institute sporsored international exhibition on view at the Friday Center and FRANK gallery in October

To keep up with changes or further additions visit the FRANK: InFocus Festival blog site at (www.frankinfocus.tumblr.com).

 

 

 

Durham Arts Council and Durham, NC, Awarded SmART Initiative Pilot Program Grant from North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources/North Carolina Arts Council

The Durham Arts Council has been awarded a $30,000 state grant for the SmART Initiative Pilot Program. North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Linda A. Carlisle announced today that the communities of Durham, Burnsville, Greensboro, Wilson, and Winston-Salem are the 5 cities selected, out of 18 that applied, to be recipients of the state’s first SmART Initiative grants. The SmART Initiative Program has been developed by the NC Department of Cultural Resources to focus on creating arts-driven economic development in cities and towns, leveraging arts assets and public/private partnerships.

“The SmART program will influence business development, inspire downtown revitalization and historic preservation, build community pride of place and stimulate the growth of more creative businesses,” Secretary Carlisle said.

The Durham Arts Council is partnering with the City of Durham, Downtown Durham Inc., Scientific Properties/Golden Belt, Duke University, NCCU, Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Durham Area Designers, Museum of Durham History, and American Tobacco Campus/Capitol Broadcasting. The Durham project includes using wayfinding, public art in transportation and streetscapes, lighting, green spaces to stimulate connectivity, walkability and storyline between four informal cultural hubs anchored by major cultural facilities in the downtown: the city center (Durham Arts Council, Carolina Theatre and future Durham Museum of History); the downtown south edge (American Tobacco Campus and Durham Performing Arts Center); the downtown east side (Golden Belt); and the downtown west side (Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art).

Tom Bonfield, Durham City Manager stated, “The City of Durham is proud to be a part of this exciting initiative with the Durham Arts Council and other project partners to take our downtown cultural districts to the next level. Arts-driven economic development is a key factor in making Durham an exciting place to live and work.”

“We are thrilled to be selected as one of the first SmART Initiative projects in the state. The pilot program grant provides the planning resources and initial project funding that will help DAC and all the project partners develop innovative components to enliven and connect all areas of downtown Durham through the arts,” said Sherry DeVries, Executive Director of the Durham Arts Council.

In the fall of 2010, Secretary Carlisle established a task force comprised of arts leaders, private developers, civic and government leaders, legislators, and tourism and chamber of commerce directors. The task force, chaired by Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon, conducted a series of meetings and comprehensive reviews of successful projects across the country, then issued a report of recommendations for a program in North Carolina. Most of the Task Force members have played key roles in arts-based economic development projects cited in the report, and all have a keen interest in the arts as centerpieces of community revitalization.

Durham Arts Council, Inc. (DAC) is a private, 501( c) (3) not-for-profit organization that“promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all the people of our community.” Each year DAC provides programs, services, and support for more than 60 arts organizations and 900+ individual artists in our region, plus more than 311,000 program participants and visitors to DAC that it serves through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grant programs, technical support, arts advocacy and information services.

As one of the oldest arts councils in the United States, and historically one of the strongest in North Carolina, Durham Arts Council fills four major roles in the region through which it carries out its mission:

DAC manages, programs and operates the Durham Arts Council building at120 Morris St., in historic downtown Durham– this City-owned facility is an extraordinary community resource for Durham and the Triangle Region. DAC develops and delivers year-round, high quality, accessible arts programs, services and information for the public and arts community. DAC is the major service provider to the arts and cultural community as the local arts agency for this region. DAC conducts advocacy for the arts and builds resources for the arts in Durham. DAC operates the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund which raises funds to support its programs and services for the community and funds its grants programs that support arts organizations and artists. DAC is a United Arts Fund and Business Committee for the Arts affiliate of Americans for the Arts.

More information about Durham Arts Council programs and giving opportunities are available by calling 919/560-2787 or online at (www.durhamarts.org).

 

 

 

Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, Calls for Grant Applications – Deadline Sept. 12, 2012

Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, is currently distributing grant applications for 2012-2013 Ella Fountain Pratt Emerging Artists Grants. The Emerging Artists Grant Program is designed to enable individual artists who have mastered the basic techniques of their art form to complete projects that will further their professional careers. Grant requests may not exceed $1,500 and must be used for a project occuring between January 1 – December 31, 2013. Criteria for making the awards include the overall excellence of the applicant’s work, accomplishment and commitment of the artist, the feasibility of the proposed project and the impact the project will have on the applicant’s career.

The application deadline is 9pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. The Emerging Artists Grant program is open to artists living in Durham, Chatham, Orange, Granville and Person Counties.To be eligible for an Emerging Artists Grant, an artist must have lived in one of the five partner counties at least since September 12, 2011, must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in their art form. Applications are available at the front desk of the Durham Arts Council building, located at 120 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701 or by calling 919/560-2720. Applications may also be downloaded from the Durham Arts Council web site at (www.durhamarts.org).

 

 

 

Durham Arts Council in Durham, NC, Offers Training for Participation on Durham Culture Website – July 24 and Aug. 6, 2012

The Durham Arts Council and Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau in Durham, NC, have partnered with EverWondr, an online events network, to enhance Durham Culture, DCVB’s website which provides listings of arts and cultural events in Durham. The new Durham Culture site now includes a Gallery and Arts Market section for individual artists in all art forms. Every artist can sign up for a free webpage where they can post contact information, upcoming events and images, audio and video clips of their work.

You are invited to attend a training session at the Durham Arts Council to learn more about this opportunity and get the training to set up your own webpage. Upcoming sessions are:

July 24, 2012, at 6pm at the Durham Arts Council

August 6, 2012, at 6pm at the Durham Arts Council

Please click here to RSVP (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C8XVYRT) and let us know if you plan to attend.

Dancers, musicians, media artists, writers, theater artists as well as visual artists can use this site to promote their work to a very wide audience. Artists also have the option to purchase a booth in the Arts Market where they can post up to 12 items for sale.

Each site on the growing EverWondr Network shares access to the same centralized database, so users can visit one site and instantly find information on thousands of venues, attractions, artists and events across the state.

EverWondr’s North Carolina network includes Asheville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Burlington, Piedmont Triad, and the North Carolina Department of Cultural resources. Outside of North Carolina, EverWondr has portals in Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Philedelphia, Nashville, Austin, Salt Lake City, Seattle and DC.

Click here for Durham Culture (www.durhamarts.org) or call them at 919/560-2787.