75 Years Strong: The Arts Council that Shaped a City of Arts and Innovation

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Arts and Culture are the cornerstone of community life in Winston-Salem. It has transformed it from a textile and tobacco city into one of creativity, vibrant color, preserved heritage, social awareness, and community pride.

That cornerstone was first laid in 1949, when The Arts Council Winston-Salem and Forsyth County was founded with $7,200 seed money from the Junior League of Winston-Salem, established as a bridge between the community and art activities.

What Is The Arts Council?

Originally composed of representatives from twelve cultural groups, The Arts Council, a first for Winston-Salem, was also the first arts council created in the United States, becoming the model for all that followed, now totaling over 4000 organizations nationally. The council’s purpose, at that time, was “to serve those members and to plan, coordinate, promote, and sponsor the opportunity for, and the appreciation of, cultural activities in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.”

Now celebrating 75 years, the Arts Council has more than fulfilled its earlier purpose and become the chief advocate for arts and culture. They are the leader in elevating and supporting the growth and sustainability of artistic, cultural, and creative offerings throughout the region, and they promote an environment and experiences that include, celebrate, and support, in an equitable manner, the needs, perspectives, and contributions of all people in our diverse community.

Arts Council Campus

The Arts Council’s Campus is located downtown and comprises the Hanesbrands Theatre and the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. These buildings are home to:

• Hanesbrands Theatre, the premier black box theatre in Winston-Salem. Located at 209 N Spruce Street, Winston-Salem
• Sawtooth School for Visual Art, a community arts school, is located on the Marshall Street side of the Milton Rhodes Center, 251 N Spruce Street, Winston-Salem
• Reynolds Place Theatre, with state-of-the-art equipment and the ability to host almost any live event, is located on the first floor of the Milton Rhodes Center
• Mountcastle Forum, an intimate and flexible black box theatre for smaller performances, located on the second floor of the Milton Rhodes Center
• Main Gallery, which hosts art exhibitions by local and national artists year-round, is located on the main floor of the Milton Rhodes Center
• Associated Artists’ Gallery, features juried works by members of the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, is located on the main floor of the Milton Rhodes Center and extends from the vestibule of the Reynolds Place Theatre, curving around to the base of the spiral stair
• Community Arts Gift Shop, sells arts and wares created by local artisans. It is adjacent to the Main Gallery at the Milton Rhodes Center

See more about these venues at this Arts Council site.

What The Arts Council Does

The Arts Council’s work is multifaceted. They provide resources for artists, funding for organizations, artists, and education, as well as programs, exhibitions, concerts, classes, and events throughout the year. In 2024, the organization hosted 360 on-campus events with 66,000 attendees and distributed over $1.4 million in grants and programs, benefiting more than 800,000 people. They are also the largest funder of Arts In Education for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County schools. Here are some of what they offer:

Resources:

• Artist Opportunities – including available grants, programs, exhibitions, shows, etc.
• Professional Development – programs including applying for juried entry calls, and approaches to running their business
• Employment In The Arts – a listing of available positions in the arts
• Arts Council Job Openings – positions available with the Arts Council
• Engaging With The Arts – the council assists in promoting cultural art groups’ and organizations’ events by publishing their press releases
• Fiscal Agent – by acting as a fiscal agent, the council assists artists or arts organizations by accepting funds on their behalf as a nonprofit, providing donors with a tax deduction, and then distributing the funds back to the organization.

Visit the Arts Council website for resources for artists.

Funding Opportunities

• Artist Support Grant – provides direct support to individual artists, either to enhance their skills or improve their business operations.
• Arts For Everybody Community Project Grants – supports artist-led or community-based projects that foster art appreciation and improve healthier communities through arts and culture
• General Operating Support Grants – provides unrestricted support to organizations demonstrating artistic and organizational excellence through high-quality programs and services
• Multicultural Grassroots Grants – provides support to organizations demonstrating artistic excellence and have a mission that reflects African American, Asian American, Latin American, or Native American cultures
• Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grant – connects artists and arts organizations with elementary, middle, and high school students, by funding programs that awaken their intellectual and creative curiosity
• ARPA Funding – money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) earmarked for use by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, to be managed by the Arts Council and used to provide aid to the local arts and cultural sector.

Visit this Arts Council website for more information about funding opportunities.

Programs For The Community

• Exhibits – The Main Gallery features 5-6 exhibitions a year, and the Associated Artists Gallery showcases juried works by members of the Associated Artists, described as a “canvas of the community”
• Parks Concert Series – free monthly summer outdoor concerts held at Tanglewood and Triad Parks, featuring local and national musicians, food vendors, and interactive art activities
• Mary Alice Warren Community Center Classes – free or affordable art classes held throughout the year for families, youth, and adults, held at the Mary Alice Warren Community Center in Lewisville
• Artists’ Talks, Productions, And Comedy – are some of the events presented by the Arts Council on their Campus. See here for upcoming events
• Community Classes & Events – Free Family Art Pop-Ins, Storytimes, and Crafts, as well as Fashion Week activities
• Summer Programming offers a range of programs designed for all ages and skill levels, from music to visual arts and coding classes
• Arts Calendar – The Arts Council maintains a Calendar featuring art and cultural program listings of events throughout the area presented by various artists and organizations. See the calendar here

How The Arts Council Benefits The Community

One of the significant accomplishments of the Arts Council Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has been its ability to remove barriers so that everyone has access to, can enjoy, and participate in the arts. They have created a bridge to the arts that is welcoming and offers a sense of belonging to all, regardless of our differences, making us one as a community. As you can see below, that is one of the benefits we have derived from being an art-centered city:

• Arts Enhance And Unify Communities – Art brings a sense of belonging and pride to community members, transforming and brightening the environment and bringing people together. They enable us to have shared experiences and discussions with people of different ages, races, ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, and identities, fostering mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation.
• Arts Improve Mental Health And Wellbeing – 60% of Americans say that the arts have “helped them cope during times of mental or emotional distress.”* Art has therapeutic qualities: reduces stress and anxiety, helps process complex emotions, provides relaxation, and improves mood. The Arts also reduce loneliness and isolation, especially for older adults, which science has found can lead to serious health problems. Participation in the arts can reduce loneliness and help individuals feel more connected to their community.
• Arts Promote Creativity, Innovation, and Improved Academics – The Arts encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for analyzing and evaluating information in a logical manner, enabling us to develop creative and innovative ideas that benefit all of us. This ability is regarded as a top skill sought by employers, and students who participate in the arts tend to perform better academically, score higher on standardized testing, have fewer dropouts, and exhibit higher levels of empathy and cooperation. These findings hold for students across all socioeconomic levels
• Arts And Culture Positively Impact The Economy – The nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $151.7 billion in economic activity in 2022, supporting 2.6 million jobs and contributing $29.1 billion in government revenue.* By investing in arts and culture, the Arts Council has attracted new populations to our city, as a desirable place to live and raise families. It also attracts companies, as they can recruit and retain highly educated, high-caliber employees. Arts and culture attract tourism, bringing individuals from outside the local area to attend art events. Local businesses, including hotels, retail shops, and restaurants, generate revenue from these art patrons, which in turn creates more job opportunities. Additionally, artists can showcase their work at exhibitions and shows and sell their creations.

The Arts Council has had a profound impact on our city in numerous ways over the years.

What Is Ahead For The Arts Council?

In 2022, the Arts Council held a retreat to discuss its future and developed a Visioning Roadmap. The first step was to establish a set of values, as this defines how their mission is carried out and informs the decisions made. Here are the seven core values of Creativity, Community, Diversity, Access, Innovation, Inclusivity, and Excellence expanded into guiding principles.

The Arts Council Winston-Salem and Forsyth County…

• Champions creativity as an essential community asset (Creativity)
• Engages authentically in all corners of the community (Community)
• Celebrates fresh perspectives and diverse voices (Diversity)
• Breaks down barriers to expand human connection (Access)
• Embraces risk-taking to advance collective goals (Innovation)
• Creates a culture of belonging for creatives and all residents (Inclusivity)
• Sets an ambition to outperform expectations (Excellence)

It was also decided that the council would assume the roles of Convener, Catalyst, Conduit, and Collaborator to achieve its objectives. Visit here to access the complete PDF of information about the Visioning Roadmap, including the council’s goals and objectives.

Supporting The Arts Council Winston-Salem And Forsyth County

By supporting the Arts Council, you help them provide grants, hire artists, and champion arts education in our public schools. There are several ways to show your support:

• Donate Now – make a one-time tax-deductible donation
• Pledge – give over a period of time
• Monthly Giving – set up recurring donations
• Workplace Giving – speak to your company about company-sponsored gifts
• Stock Gifts – donate shares of stock
• Planned Giving – make a deferred gift

To give a gift, visit this website page or contact Katie Hall, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Development at khall@intothearts.org or 336-747-1421.

For more information about The Arts Council Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, visit their website.

The Arts In Winston-Salem

You can find the arts on every corner in downtown Winston-Salem’s Art District. Learn the history of the “city of art” and events you should not miss. Read all about the Art District.

Were you aware of the importance of the Arts Council? Tell us about it in the comments.

*Source: Americans for the Arts, Top Ten Reasons To Support The Arts