New Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County Initiative Empowers Regional Creatives

Fayetteville, N.C. - The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is proud to announce the launch of the 2025–26 Creative Impact Cohort (CIC), an initiative designed to strengthen the region's artistic community. This cohort-style program invites local artists to apply for up to $4,000 in project funding, coupled with mentorship, development workshops, and a culminating public showcase. Selected artists must reside in Cumberland County, work in any artistic discipline, and be 18 years or older. The CIC is the next iteration of intentional outreach to support individual artists and will replace the Mini Grant program beginning with the first CIC cohort.

This program runs over a six-month period. Selected creatives will participate in monthly professional development sessions covering topics such as: marketing, project and budget management, portfolio development, and networking. These sessions aim to foster artistic excellence, collaboration, and a stronger creative community across disciplines—including visual arts, literature, music, performance, film, dance, and interdisciplinary work.

“We believe meaningful art emerges when artists have both adequate resources and knowledge to bring their visions to life,” says Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations. “The Creative Impact Cohort provides that crucial combination of funding and professional mentorship while creating opportunities for artists to learn from each other across disciplines.”

Applicants are expected to develop and complete a new artistic project or body of work, engage in the cohort’s scheduled meetings with Arts Council staff and peers, and prepare a public presentation of their work. Projects must take place in Cumberland County. “Through this program, we're helping community based artists develop their craft and professional skills so they can present work that truly inspires and connects Cumberland County,” expresses Houck.

The application deadline is September 15, 2025. For the full CIC guidelines, visit: www.theartscouncil.com/creative-impact-cohort

For more information, contact Michael Houck (michaelh@theartscouncil.com). For regular updates on the Arts Council, follow  @artscouncilfay on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and/or YouTube.

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The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, NC that connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As the primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and history activities in the Cape Fear Region, the Arts Council and the agencies it supports are known for the core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration, and innovation. theartscouncil.com

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