Orange Co. Arts Commission

Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina

New Year – New Outlook for the Arts


The stage is set for 2016 to be a great year for the arts! In case you missed Americans for the Arts’ fabulous recap of 2015 arts policy wins, ARTS North Carolina pulled together a few highlights for North Carolinians:

1. NC Public Funding for the Arts

…Saw an increase for the 1st time in 8 years! Over the next 2 years,

  • Grassroots Arts programs will receive an additional $300,000,
  • and A+ Schools will receive $715,000.
2. The National Endowment for the Arts

…Just received a federal funding increase of almost $2 million instead being leveled for the 5th year in a row.

3. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

…Finally replaced the testing-heavy and narrow-focused No Child Left Behind Act in our schools! Where No Child Left Behind often systematically pushed the arts aside, ESSA…

  • Brings the Arts into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Programs—now recognized as STEAM on a national platform.
  • Seeks to provide all students with a “Well-Rounded Education,” the definition of which includes the arts.
  • Keeps arts eligible for Title I funds (the primary source of federal funding for schools)
  • Includes specialized funding opportunities through “Assistance for Arts Education”

So What?

These developments in policy and funding signal that:

  • the government is starting to see the arts as a priority,
  • we’ve made progress in building relationships with policy-makers,
  • legislators will likely be willing to talk to us about additional measures in the upcoming short session.

Arts North Carolina thinks that all of this warrants optimism that NOW is the time to make moves to ensure arts education in our state and to ensure significant, stable funding for arts opportunities for all.

Stay tuned, and Happy New Year!

ARTS North Carolina is North Carolina’s statewide advocacy organization for the arts; a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a statewide Board of Directors. ARTS North Carolina calls for equity and access to the arts for all North Carolinians, unites and connects North Carolina’s arts communities, and fosters arts leadership.