[Fayetteville, North Carolina] – The awards cycle for the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County’s (Arts Council) 2022-2023 fiscal year showed a 17% increase in the Cultural Organization REsource (C.O.RE.) Grant and Project Support Grant funds to Cumberland County organizations. With total requests for the 2022-2023 fiscal year amounting to more than one million dollars, the Arts Council awarded twenty-one nonprofit organizations a total of $759,930 for Cumberland County cultural arts programming.
“Increasing support to organizations impacting our community with engaging cultural arts programs is vital to the mission of the Arts Council, especially as we edge closer towards a ‘post-COVID’ era,” says Michael Curtis Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations for the Arts Council. “The arts are a proven economic force in Cumberland County, and it’s exciting to see new programs emerge this year and to see other programs that have been dormant for two years spring back to life.”
Funding for C.O.RE. Grants and Project Support Grants come from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the Cumberland County Occupancy Tax. State funds are provided through a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council. This year, Project Support Grants are also supported through federal funds provided through an American Rescue Plan Act Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funds are provided through the generous support of individual donors to the Arts Council through routine support and annual memberships.
“Based on the strength of our programs and to support our goal of reaching out to assist previously underserved populations, the Arts Council was one of only sixty-six organizations nationwide to receive additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts,” says Bob Pinson, Interim President and CEO of the Arts Council. “I believe we are reaching this goal through our grant programs.”
Cultural Organization REsource (C.O.RE.) Grant
C.O.RE. Grants provide general operating support to nonprofit arts, science, or history agencies in Cumberland County whose programs are considered vital to the cultural life of the community and whose organizations have reached a size and maturity that assure their long-term sustainability. Awards range from $100,000 to $250,000. C.O.RE. Grants help strengthen major cultural institutions so they may deliver high quality cultural services to the citizens of Cumberland County.
2022-2023 Recipients:
Cape Fear Botanical Garden (CFBG)
CFBG’s mission is to transform people’s relationship with plants and the natural world; create and sustain a national caliber institution with gardens and programs of exceptional quality; and to be the premier destination in the region for people to connect with nature and to expand their horizons through educational and cultural programs.
Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT)
CFRT believes in the power of storytelling and the visceral impact of live theatre; strives for the highest standards of excellence in their artistic work, educational offerings, and outreach efforts; and provides the region a place to come together to laugh harder, think deeper, share experiences, and grow as a community.
Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO)
FSO’s mission is to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, NC region as a leading musical resource; provide artistic excellence, vibrant education programs, and active community partnerships; and remain a cultural leader of arts programming in the city and surrounding communities.
Project Support Grant
Project Support Grants increase opportunities for access to cultural arts programming in Cumberland County. Awards range from $3,000 to $30,000 for project specific programs. This year, eighteen organizations were awarded, funding twenty-five unique cultural arts programs.
2022-2023 Recipients:
Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation (ASOM)
ASOM Foundation brings Courage and Compassion: The Legacy of the Bielski Brothers to Fayetteville, NC with a Cultural Tourism Grant.
Cape Fear Studios (CFS)
CFS is the recipient of two grants. CFS provides a variety of programming, including an exhibit series, classes, and lessons in 2022-2023. Further, CFS will bring professional artists to Cumberland County for a new, four-part masterclass series to provide opportunities for the community to learn from regional and nationally recognized artists.
Cape Fear Valley Medical Foundation (CFVM)
CFVM Foundation provides art therapy sessions in group settings at the Behavioral Health Care Inpatient Unit.
Community Concerts of Fayetteville
Community Concerts of Fayetteville will produce its 87th season and continue to bring internationally recognized artists and entertainers to the Cumberland County region.
Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD)
CSDD is the recipient of two grants. CSDD will expand its Can-Do-Cultural-Trolley tours, offering themed trolley tours to coincide with national celebrations, featuring local artists, musicians, and comedians. Further, CSDD will produce a four-month long concert series during 4th Fridays on the new 4th Friday District Vibe Stage.
Crossroads Outreach Alternative Program Ministries (COAP)
COAP Ministries provides after-school programming open to students K-12. Students rotate through five arts experiences including: music theory, piano instruction, poetry and drama, seasonal themes, and painting on canvas.
Culture and Heritage Alliance (CHA)
CHA is the recipient of two grants. CHA will produce the 6th annual African World Peace Festival in Downtown Fayetteville with the theme “One People, One Community.” Further, CHA will produce Step Into The Rhythm, a West African Drum Exhibition with workshops and masterclasses.
Cumberland Choral Arts (CCA)
CCA is the recipient of two grants. CCA will produce its 2022-2023 annual concerts series themed Common Threads. Further, CCS will produce its 2022-2023 Campbellton Youth Choir series for young singers.
Cumberland County Public Library (CCPL)
CCPL will produce its 2023 March Storytelling Festival “Rhythm of a Story” featuring headline performers, library programs, and storytelling programs led by youth services staff at each of eight library locations.
Ellington-White Community Development Corporation (EWCDC)
EWCDC is the recipient of three grants. EWCDC will produce its annual exhibit series with regional and national guest curators. EWCDC will engage youth through a new program, “Art On My Mind.” EWCDC will create a cohort of emerging artists of color for a series of masterclasses for professional and entrepreneurial artistic and creative development.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation (FCPR)
FCPR will partner with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra to produce the annual July 4th celebration in Festival Park.
Gilbert Theater
Gilbert Theater will produce its 29th season in addition to outreach and educational programs in 2022-2023.
Groundswell Pictures
Groundswell Pictures will produce its 7th annual Indigo Moon Film Festival. The festival is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s sole film festival, bringing national and international films and filmmakers to Downtown Fayetteville each fall.
Longleaf Press
Longleaf Press will create a writing mentorship program for under-resourced and at-risk youth, concluding the mentorship program with a publication of young Cumberland County based writers.
Methodist University: Friends of Music
Methodist University: Friends of Music will produce its Guest Artist Series, including masterclasses, elementary school engagements, and public performances.
The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex (MCF)
MCF is the recipient of two grants. MCF will produce its 2022-2023 History Live! Program, which includes Halloween Trick or Treat, Halloween Night Tours at the Poe House, and Holiday Jubilee. Further, MCF will continue the COVID-19 initiative History-To-Go Boxes, historical informative DIY craft boxes for students.
Sweet Tea Shakespeare
Sweet Tea Shakespeare will produce its 2022-2023 season of plays, musicals, and special events throughout the community and will continue its Green Tea youth education program for students.
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is the recipient of a salary support grant to fund the Special Projects Coordinator. This position will assist with the production of The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival’s Fall and Spring Dogwood Festivals in addition to the Fayetteville After Five summer series.
REQUEST FOR INTERVIEW
If you have questions regarding the C.O.RE. Grant or Project Support Grant, contact:
Michael Curtis Houck
Director of Grants and Allocations
910-460-5725
ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF FAYETTEVILLE | CUMBERLAND COUNTY
The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development, and lifelong learning through the ARTS. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify our 5 core values: Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, Collaborations, and Innovation. theartscouncil.com
In the year 2020-21, the Arts Council distributed $1.1 million in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture non-profit organizations, artists, and municipalities.
Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. ncarts.org