NC Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council, established in 1964 as the state's official arts agency, operates on the principle that the arts are essential to the vitality of every community. Its founding ethos is rooted in public service, equitable access, and the belief that creative expression should be supported across the state's diverse geographies and populations. The Council administers grants, fellowships, and initiatives that span visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and folk and traditional arts, with a particular emphasis on underserved regions and emerging artists. Its core mission is to nurture the artistic heritage of North Carolina while fostering new work that reflects the state's evolving cultural landscape.