Despite a denied funding request from New Hanover County earlier this year, an arts council will be launched in Wilmington next month. After a three-year effort, the North Carolina Arts Council made the announcement this week.
NOTE: A previous version of this story stated that the City of Wilmington denied funding to the arts council earlier this year. The city did deny an initial request but eventually donated funds.
WHQR’s Michelle Bliss reports that the organization will be launched early next month and the first order of business is hiring an executive director.
The search for a leader will begin in the New Year. The director will be charged with organizing a fundraising campaign to secure private sector support.
North Carolina Arts Council Deputy Director Nancy Trovillion says her agency and the steering committee have worked to diversify funding resources for the council.
“So, we at the state are investing some funds to help with the start-up cost. We are going to be able, through the Brooklyn Arts Center and an endowment that was created with some City funds, to get some support locally.”
The committee also received donated assets from a previous arts organization, Creative Wilmington.
“This initial investment will pay off with incredible benefit to help spur growth in the arts community which will also spur the creative economy and sustainable economic development.”
Of the ten most-populated counties in North Carolina, Wilmington is the only one without an arts council.
Back in 2002, the Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear shut down after serving the area for 30 years.
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