Three Towns in NC are Awarded “Our Town” Grants from the NEA

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded 80 Our Town grants totaling $4.9 million across the country including projects in Charlotte, Kinston and Star, North Carolina.

The Our Town program supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at the core. Projects revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods, instill a sense of place and pride in residents, attract creative workers and cultural travelers and create sustainable economic development.

Funding for the North Carolina projects total $250,000. Recipients include:

The Arts & Science Council in partnership with the City of Charlotte and the McColl Center for Visual Arts, have been awarded $100,000 to commission public artwork to help in the revitalization of the North Tryon Street Corridor in downtown Charlotte.

The City of Kinston, in partnership with the NC Arts Council, and the Kinston Community Council for the Arts, have been awarded $100,000 to finalize the African American Music Trail Park and promote connectivity around existing culturally significant African American music locations and the arts around downtown Kinston.

The STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise, the Town of Star and Central Park North Carolina have been awarded $50,000 in its effort to grow a vibrant glass arts community in the area, as well as launch a major event next spring.

“These projects show how a community with rich arts and a strong, unique sense of place can partner with state and local government and nonprofits to create economic growth,” said Wayne Martin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council. “These awards are a tribute to the vision of the leadership in Charlotte, Kinston and Star.”

The announcement from the NEA brings the total investment in creative placemaking to $11.5 million in Our Town projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The program, created by NEA Chair Rocco Landesman, started in 2011. “Cities and town are transformed when you bring the arts — both literally and figuratively — into the center of them,” Landesman said. “Communities are pursuing creative placemaking, making their neighborhoods more vibrant and robust by investing in the performing, visual and literary arts. I am proud to be partnering with these 80 communities and their respective arts, civic, and elected leaders.”

In Charlotte the grant will be used to improve the neighborhood livability of the North Tryon Street Corridor by commissioning public artwork as part of planned neighborhood revitalization initiatives, including a “green” streetscape infrastructure project. The partners will work with a selected artist and residents to integrate the environmentally based artwork into the new streetscape plan, and into a proposed urban farm project by local partners Vision Ventures and Cultivatis.

Project activities will include an artist selection process, a three-month residency for an environmental artist to work with local citizens and stakeholders, and the design, fabrication, and installation of public art. Together these projects will position the North Tryon Street Corridor as a model for sustainable initiatives in Charlotte, benefiting the entire center city area as well as approximately 2,700 residents, 562 businesses and more than 5,500 employees in the neighborhood.

“The Our Town grant and partnership with the City of Charlotte and McColl Center for Visual Art provides a unique opportunity to revitalize a central neighborhood through creative placemaking,” said ASC President Scott Provancher. “We are excited to help transform the North Tryon Street Corridor for future generations.”

In Kinston the project has three major components: Finishing the design and construction of the music park, creating a new African American Music Trails cultural district along South Queen Street; Connecting culturally significant areas that are directly related to the trails as well as other arts-centered areas around downtown Kinston; and continued planning for the development and the promotion of the music trails project.

“This is a great opportunity to put Kinston and the arts on the national stage,” said Kinston Mayor BJ Murphy. “This is further proof that the African American Music Trails is having a tremendous impact on Kinston and the region. I am proud to see a project funded that highlights the cultural contributions of Kinston’s African American community.”

The Kinston Community Council for the Arts was an early partner with the N.C. Arts Council in documenting the African American musical traditions in the region. “It is to the credit of the musicians, community stakeholders, the City of Kinston and the N.C. Arts Council to have faith in our belief that that the arts not only impact the quality of life in a community but are key catalysts in economic and tourism development,” said Sandy Landis, Executive Director of the Kinston Community Council for the Arts.

Central Park North Carolina (CPNC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an economy based on the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. The region is nestled near the Uwharrie Mountains, and the eight counties of Anson, Davidson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, and Stanly surrounding the Yadkin-Pee-Dee River.

Starworks is located in Montgomery County and is a 187,000 square foot former textile mill site converted into the Center for Creative Enterprises where there are ceramic and glass studios as well as other entrepreneurial businesses in agriculture, and alternative energy.

“Primarily, this funding will allow us to launch a major event next spring that we’re calling FireFest,” said Nancy Gottovi, executive director of CPNC. “FireFest will celebrate the role of fire in the creation of art, with a focus on sculpture.”

FireFest has been in the works for some time and NEA Funds will allow the region to grow a vibrant glass arts community in Star, Gottovia said.

“We are thrilled to have STARworks in our community,” said Star Mayor Susan Eggleston. “We are especially excited about this project that promises to bring thousands of people to our town. Growing a glass community here fits perfectly with the work we are doing to revitalize Star.”

The NEA received 317 applications for the Our Town program in three primary categories: Arts engagement, Cultural Planning and design; non-metro and tribal communities.

For a complete listing of projects recommended for Our Town grant support, please visit the NEA web site at (www.arts.gov).

Media contacts for North Carolina Projects:

Charlotte: Krista Terrell, Arts & Science Council, e-mail at (Krista.terrell@artsandscience.org) or call 704/335-3035

Kinston: Sandy Landis, Community Council for the Arts, e-mail at (slandis@kinstoncca.com) or call 252/527-2517

Central Park: Rhonda McCanless, e-mail at (Rhonda@centralparknc.org) or call 910/428-9001

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).

The NC Arts Council is a division of the NC 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 NC Arts Council, and the State Archives. The NC 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).

 

 

 

SECCA Works with Students from Reagan High School in Winston-Salem, NC, to Create Large Wall Mural Made of Recycled Magazines

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, NC, recently held an artist residency at Ronald Reagan High School, located at 3750 Transou Road in Pfafftown. The residency by American paper artist Johannes VanDerBeek is part of SECCA’s ongoing educational outreach initiative called The Intersections Project (TIP).

During the 3-day program, students in Jennifer Rice’s art classes worked with VanDerBeek to create a permanent piece of artwork for the Reagan High School Media Center. VanDerBeek taught the students his method of using compressed and sanded magazines to create the large-scale work. Each student worked on smaller parts of the whole mural composition.

VanDerBeek is one of 15 international artists in SECCA’s current exhibition “paperless,” which is on view until Sept. 16, 2012. VanDerBeek has two works in the exhibition: “Ruins” and “Time Tomb”. To create his artwork, he compresses and sands magazines like “Time”, “Life” and “National Geographic” into the building blocks of his large-scale contemporary murals.

Reagan High School students in Jennifer Rice’s art classes worked with SECCA exhibiting artist Johannes VanDerBeek to create a permanent piece of artwork for the Reagan High School Media Center. SECCA photo, 2012.

The intent of the TIP program is teaching students traditional subjects in an innovative way through art. The program was developed by educators, artists, The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board. These educational experiences address learning objectives in the visual arts as well as in other disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, math, language arts and others. SECCA applied for an Arts and Education Grant from The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County to create TIP. SECCA was awarded the grant for three years for a total of $26,820 (2009-10 — $8,820; 2010-11 — $9,000; 2011-12 — $9,000).

The TIP program has also resulted in a Web site for teachers. The Web site (www.theintersectionsproject.org) includes profiles about the artists and educators who have participated, along with resulting student artwork and responses. There are additional resources relating to arts-integration, project-based learning, creativity, technology-based learning platforms, and lesson plan materials.

SECCA’s Executive Director Mark Leach says, “The objective of the TIP program overall is to connect the disciplines through the arts. The lessons can be used by teachers across North Carolina. In addition, all of the TIP lesson plans support the National Common Core and North Carolina Essential Standards in multiple disciplines and encourage project-based learning through the arts.”

SECCA is open Tuesday through Sunday for those who wish to see VanDerBeek’s work in “paperless”. Admission to SECCA galleries is free. For hours of operation, visit (www.secca.org).

To see the students’ work, please call Reagan High School at 336/703-6776 to make an appointment with the school media center.

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem is an affiliate of the North Carolina Museum of Art, a division of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.  SECCA is also a funded partner of The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Additional funding is provided by the James G. Hanes Memorial Fund.

The NC Department of Cultural Resources 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 NC Arts Council and the State Archives.  The NC 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).

NC Arts Council Slated For Cuts in North Carolina Budget

Well, it seems that North Carolina’s arts community is headed for the same kind of cuts that have been going on in South Carolina for a decade or more. It just goes to show what you get when you vote in a Republican legislature to run things – tax cuts for the rich and powerful and cuts in funding for the arts and poor.

People of NC – you better wake up and make some big changes this fall. If you like the arts you better vote BIG D – all the way. And you better let your voice be heard loud and clear right now on this issue. If they want to wage a cultural war – lets give it to them.

We just received this notice, which I’m sure is just the first of many from arts groups around NC.

We believe that substantial cuts to the North Carolina Arts Council are being considered in the House budget deliberations, including the reduction of 6 positions at the North Carolina Arts Council. While no formal vote has been taken, it is imperative that we speak for the arts before votes are taken.

Please act no later than 5pm, Monday, May 14, 2012.

You can also access contact sheets on these Legislators that include all contact information and grants that were made in their counties at (http://www.artsnc.org/action-center/key-legislators/#klc).

Rockingham County Arts Council in Wentworth, NC, Offers Several Opportunities – Deadlines in February 2012

The Rockingham County Arts Council in Wentworth, NC, is offering several opportunities including the following:

Penland School of Crafts is pleased to announce its annual scholarship for residents of Rockingham County, NC. The Glass/Apple Scholarship fund provides one work-study scholarship for a summer class at Penland for a student who resides in Rockingham County. This endowment fund was established by Ed and Sue Glass of Cornelius, NC and the Apple Foundation. A schedule of summer classes, scholarship information, and applications are available on Penland’s website at (www.penland.org). If you have questions about the scholarship or the application process, call 828/765-2359.

If you are applying for the scholarship, be sure to mention in your application letter that you are a resident of Rockingham County. Scholarship applications are due at Penland by Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. The minimum age for Penland students is 18.

Rockingham County Arts Council announces a second round of grant applications for Grassroots Funds. Applications are due to the Arts Council on Feb. 20, 2012.

NOTE: This is not a postmark deadline; Applications and all attachments must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for funding. Information and forms can be found on the Arts Council website at (www.artsinrockingham.org).

Submit Grants to Rockingham County Arts Council, P.O. Box 83, Wentworth NC 27375 or in person to Rockingham County Arts Council, 1122 NC Hwy 65, Wentworth NC 27375 by 4pm.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBGRANTS:
All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations operating in Rockingham County with a 501(c)3 Federal tax-exempt status. (School projects are covered through their school’s status.) An organization without tax-exempt status may receive indirect funding for its arts project by having a 501 (c) 3 serve as its fiscal agent. It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that a copy of its (or its Fiscal Agent’s) IRS tax-exempt status is on file with RCAC.

All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Rockingham County. Organizations that receive general support funds through the NC Arts Council are not eligible for Grassroots funds. Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds. Applications and support materials must be complete and received by the grant deadline.

WHAT THE GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM FUNDS:
Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs, or to operate an arts organization. Examples of arts programs commonly funded with Grassroots funds include: performances, festivals, art exhibitions, after-school arts programs, artist residencies in schools, arts camps, classes, workshops, art walks and studio tours. Typical uses of Grassroots money include: Program expenses such as artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and equipment rental or purchase. Operating expenses such as salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance and equipment rental or purchase.

MATCHING REQUIREMENT:
All subgrantees are required to match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. Other North Carolina Arts Council funds cannot be used as a match.

GRANT EVALUATION CRITERIA: Subgrant applications are reviewed by a panel of community members including artists, county and public officials and board members of ACMC among others. The panel evaluates each application based on the subgrant guidelines and the following criteria: Artistic quality of proposed project or programs; Community impact of project or programs; Ability to plan and implement project; Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization.

Panelists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The subgrant panel’s funding decisions are then presented as recommendations to the RCAC board of directors, who vote and give final approval to the panel’s recommendations.

For 2011 -12 Subgrant Reports, due May 30, 2012. All projects must be completed before May 30, 2012. Grant applications can be found at (http://www.artsinrockingham.org/grants.shtml). Please call 336/349-4039 or e-mail at (info@artsinrockingham) with questions.

The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (NC) coordinates the Regional Artist grant program on behalf of a consortium of five counties: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham. Funding is provided by the North Carolina Arts Council and matched locally by participating counties. A limited number of grants are offered annually to residents of these counties to further their development as professional artists at any stage in their career.

Grant funds may not be used for tuition in degree programs. Eligible artistic disciplines are music (both classical and contemporary), dance, visual arts and crafts, film/video, drama, and literature. Applicants must submit samples of their work and provide a narrative description of their career development plans. Grant recipients are required to sign a contract and file an evaluation at the completion of their project. This Grant deadline is Feb. 15, 2012, at RCAC by 4pm. The grant, guidelines and evaluation form may be downloaded on the RCAC website at (www.artsinrockingham.org). Please contact the Arts Council by e-mail at (info@artsinrockingham.org) and by phone at 336/349-4039 for more information.

I Heart Art- a celebration of Art that is close to your heART! Reception Thursday, February 16, 5-7pm at Dan River Art Market &  Gallery, 1122 NC Hwy 65, Wentworth, NC. All RCAC members are invited to submit artwork and fine craft, poetry, film, music and sculptural items for our February exhibit, I <3 Art. Deadline for entries is Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, or by special appointment.
For more information visit (www.artsinrockingham.org).

RCAC is the focal point/umbrella organization for the arts and information about the arts in Rockingham County. Our mission is to nurture and enrich the cultural life in Rockingham County.

Rockingham County Arts Council in Wentworth, NC, is Accepting Grant Applications for Grassroots Grant Funds for FY 2011-2012 – Deadline Feb. 20, 2012

The Rockingham County Arts Council in Wentworth, NC, announces a second round of grant applications for Grassroots Funds. Applications are due to the Arts Council Monday, Feb. 20, 2012. NOTE: This is not a postmark deadline; Applications and all attachments must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for funding. Information and forms can be found on the Arts Council website at (www.artsinrockingham.org).

ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBGRANTS:
All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations operating in Rockingham County with a 501(c)3 Federal tax-exempt status. (School projects are covered through their school’s status.) An organization without tax-exempt status may receive indirect funding for its arts project by having a 501 (c) 3 serve as its fiscal agent. It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that a copy of its (or its Fiscal Agent’s) IRS tax-exempt status is on file with RCAC. All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Rockingham County. Organizations that receive general support funds through the NC Arts Council are not eligible for Grassroots funds. Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds. Applications and support materials must be complete and received by the grant deadline.

WHAT THE GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM FUNDS:
Grassroots Arts Program funds may be used for expenditures to conduct quality arts programs, or to operate an arts organization. Examples of arts programs commonly funded with Grassroots funds include: performances, festivals, art exhibitions, after-school arts programs, artist residencies in schools, arts camps, classes, workshops, art walks and studio tours. Typical uses of Grassroots money include: Program expenses such as artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and equipment rental or purchase. Operating expenses such as salaries, telephone, office supplies, printing, postage, rent, utilities, insurance and equipment rental or purchase.

MATCHING REQUIREMENT:
All subgrantees are required to match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. Other North Carolina Arts Council funds cannot be used as a match.

GRANT EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Subgrant applications are reviewed by a panel of community members including artists, county and public officials and board members of ACMC among others. The panel evaluates each application based on the subgrant guidelines and the following criteria: Artistic quality of proposed project or programs; Community impact of project or programs; Ability to plan and implement project; Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization; Panelists discuss and score the grant using an established rating system. The subgrant panel’s funding decisions are then presented as recommendations to the RCAC board of directors, who vote and give final approval to the panel’s recommendations.

For 2011 -12 Subgrant Reports, due May 30, 2012.
All projects must be completed before May 30, 2012

Submit Grants to Rockingham County Arts Council, P.O. Box 83, Wentworth NC 27375 or in person to Rockingham County Arts Council, 1122 NC Hwy 65, Wentworth NC 27375

RCAC is the focal point/umbrella organization for the arts and information about the arts in Rockingham County. Our mission is to nurture and enrich the cultural life of Rockingham County. Celebrating 43 years of Arts in Rockingham County.

Grant applications can be found at (http://www.artsinrockingham.org/grants.shtml). Call 336/349-4039 or e-mail to (info@artsinrockingham) with questions and to receive a printed copy of the grant.

Advocacy Workshop at the NC Pottery Center in Seagrove, NC, Has Been Rescheduled

Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Offers Fun Activities that Encourage an Interest in Art During November 2010

The Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, will host a number of events including  family fun, holiday shopping, and a reception in November.

The museum is in the Fine and Performing Arts Center on the WCU campus. All events are free and the public is invited to attend.

Family Day takes place from 10am-noon on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 – Parents and children are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt and other activities that encourage children’s interest in art. Enjoy popcorn and prizes at the event, which is sponsored in part by the WCU School of Art and Design’s art education program and the Jackson County Arts Council through support from the NC Arts Council.

A Handmade Holiday Trunk Show takes place from 2:30-6:30pm on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010 – As part of its 3rd Thursdays at the FAM series, the Fine Art Museum will host the Handmade Holiday Trunk Show, an opportunity to buy directly from artists including WCU students and staff and community members. All items are priced at less than $100 and include silk scarves, jewelry, knitted wear, soaps, note cards and more. Coffee and tea will be available, with wine and cheese served from 5-6pm.

A reception for an exhibit by graduating students will begin at 4pm on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 -  Titled, Oh Sweet Pestilence, the exhibition will include a mix of ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture by 12 students who are part of a class taught by Marya Roland, associate professor of art, that prepares students for entry into the professional art world. Participating students, all earning bachelors of fine arts, are Christine Cady, sculpture; Michael Dodson, sculpture; Lisa Erato, painting; Allyson Greer, printmaking;  Rachael Griffin, painting; Lauren Hill, printmaking; Alexandra Kirtley, printmaking; Sarah Lovell, painting; Michelle McAfee, sculpture; Constance McCormick, ceramics; Janine Paris, drawing; and Traci Pierce, ceramics. The exhibit will run through Friday, Dec. 3, 2010.

The Fine Art Museum’s hours are 10am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 10am to 7pm on Thursdays. The museum also is open one hour before Fine and Performing Arts Center Galaxy of Stars performances.

For more information about these events, contact Denise Drury, the WCU Fine Art Museum curatorial specialist, at 828/227-3591; e-mail to (ddrury@wcu.edu) or visit (http://www.wcu.edu/museum/).