ARTS Day 2024
North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art & Action
May 21, 2024 – Conference Day at the McKimmon Center, Raleigh
May 22, 2024 = Legislative Day at the NC General Assembly, Raleigh
ARTS Day is a gathering of artists and arts leaders from across the state to convene as peers and prepare for action, then meet with their elected representatives at the NC General Assembly to deliver a message about the ARTS that is simple, inclusive, and positive. But ARTS Day is more than a collection of speakers and meetings with lawmakers, it is the annual culmination of a movement. The mission of Arts NC is to unite people and communities to strengthen and celebrate a creative North Carolina, an idea that is embodied in our annual two-day conference.
ARTS Day 2024 Schedule
DAY 1 – CONFERENCE DAY
| 9:00-11:00 | Registration and Networking |
| 9:30 | Advocacy 101 – Nate McGaha, Executive Director, Arts North Carolina |
| 11:00 | Welcome – Nate McGaha, Rhonda Bellamy, Arts NC Board Chair |
| 11:20 | Seizing Your Opera-tunities – Taylor Loyd, Miss North Carolina and Arts Advocate |
| 11:40 | Performance – Taylor Loyd |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:30 | State & Federal Legislative Updates – Ken Melton, and Nate McGaha |
| 1:00 | Claim Your Impact: Building a Healthier North Carolina Through the Arts – Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts |
| 2:00 | Networking |
| 2:20 | Artist Spotlight Video |
| 2:25 | North Carolina Arts Council Update – Jeff Bell |
| 2:45 | Navigating the Intersections of Difference: Nourishing Community Through Creative Unity – Jordan Lee, LEEVILLE – Musician, Arts Educator, Community Builder |
| 3:05 | Performance – LEEVILLE & Friends |
| 3:25 | Networking |
| 3:45 | Artist Spotlight Video |
| 3:50 | Local Arts Council Panel Discussion |
| 4:20 | Getting to Know Charly Lowry – Charly Lowry, Musician, Artivist |
| 4:40 | Performance – Charly Lowry |
Conference Day Interactive Art Activity
Teaching Artists Jeannette Brossart and Maria Geary invite you to explore our deep connection to color. How does a specific color make you feel? Is it connected to memory? Do you experience color via senses other than sight? With a few options for you to participate, both personal and collaborative, join us in this creative art activity.
DAY 2 – LEGISLATIVE DAY
| 8:00 | Convene |
| 8:00-1:00 | Legislative Appointments |
| 8:30 | Advocacy 101 (condensed) – Nate McGaha |
| 9:00 | Legislative Kickoff D. Reid Wilson, Secretary of the NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources Jeff Bell, Executive Director of the NC Arts Council Arts Caucus Chairs |
| 10:30–1:00 | Performances: 10:15 – Poetry Out Loud 10:45 – Jordan Matthews High School Mixed Advanced Choir and Dance 2 Ensemble 11:30 – Leela School of Dance 12:00 – Surry County JAM 12:30 – NCGA Member Singalong |
| 11:30 | Lunch (Included in Ticket Price) |
NEXT STEPS
Follow these steps to make sure you’re connected and prepared to make the most of ARTS Day. The steps will be updated so check back for more information.
1
Connect with your County Captain
County Captains will make legislative appointments for folks in your area. See if your county has a leader, and if so, let them know you’re coming!
2
No County Leader? – DIY
You can make your own appointments with your legislators—it’s easy. We are suggesting that ARTS Day in-person appointments should be set for the morning of May 22.
3
Review the Advocacy Toolkit
This section will be updated periodically as we get closer to ARTS Day. Keep checking back for the latest information.
4
Know Where To Go