Arts Council Invites Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Residents to Celebrate Its 65th Birthday Will kick off 2015 Arts Council Campaign

"The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County celebrates its 65th birthday this year and is inviting residents of the community to be a part of the festivities. “Join us as we raise a glass at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 22,” said Jim Sparrow, Arts Council President and CEO. “We are gathering at Hanesbrand Theatre at the Milton Rhodes Center for two reasons:  To celebrate this milestone and to kick off the 2015 Arts Council Campaign. It’s going to be fun and demonstrate the sort of imagination and energy that will make the campaign a success,” he said.  The reception and program are free and open to the public
Two Winston-Salem businessmen and arts advocates, Anc Newman, Senior Vice President at AON Corporation, and Stuart Parks, Managing Principal at The Arden Group, are co-chairing the campaign.  The Arts Council has adopted a theme of “engagement” for the year, encouraging residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and arts and cultural organizations to find new ways to team up and demonstrate that Winston-Salem is, in fact, a City of Arts and Innovation.  “We have a vision,” the co-chairs said, “and we invite you to come celebrate with us and see how you can invest in this vision in ways that will help drive progress and innovation in our city and county.”

“The arts have the unique ability to bring together disparate people or perspectives and focus them on a shared experience or common belief,” said Parks.  “Likewise, The Arts Council has the unique ability to create a forum for the exchange of ideas and unite our community in support of a common goal.” 

Throughout 2015, The Arts Council will host conversations that explore how Forsyth County’s arts community can serve as a catalyst for future prosperity and align to create efficiencies that are self-sustaining.  “Beyond giving people a voice in the process through these conversations, we are getting people directly involved through several hands-on engagement opportunities,” said Newman.  “It is more important than ever to connect people and get them personally involved in shaping the future of our community.”


The co-chairs will announce the 2015 campaign goal at the January 22 reception and some key members of their campaign cabinet. Winston-Salem’s robust arts community enriches the lives of area residents every day and accounts in large part for the recognition it continues to receive as a great place to live, learn, work and play.  It raises funds and advocates for the arts, sponsors events in conjunction with other arts organizations, promotes and funds arts education, creates cultural and learning opportunities, develops social capital and aids economic development.  The Arts Council has made a total of 76 grants totaling $1,845,000 for 2015.  Organizational Support Grants, $1,615,000; Wells Fargo Arts-In-Education Grants, $100,000; Duke Energy Regional Artist Grants, $30,000; Innovative Project Grants, $100,000."

- A Press Release

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