ARTS Day 2023
North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art & Action
April 17, 2023 – Conference Day at the McKimmon Center, Raleigh
April 18, 2023 = 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 2023 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 | The Revolution will be Monetized… – Rissi Palmer |
| 11:40 | Performance – Rissi Palmer |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:30 | State & Federal Legislative Updates – Ken Melton, and Nate McGaha |
| 1:00 | Thoughts on Cultural Democracy and Relevance – Alan Brown |
| 2:00 | Networking Break |
| 2:20 | North Carolina Arts Council Update – Jeff Bell |
| 2:50 | Universities as Community Partners in the Arts – Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds |
| 3:10 | Arts NC 2023, Looking Back, Moving Forward – Nate McGaha |
| 3:30 | Networking Break |
| 4:10 | Art of the State – Liza Roberts |
| 4:30 | A Conversation with Ben Folds |
| 5:00 | Performance – Ben Folds |
DAY 2 – LEGISLATIVE DAY
| 8:00 | Convene |
| 8:00-1:00 | Legislative Appointments |
| 8:30 | Advocacy 101 (condensed) – Nate McGaha |
| 9:00 | Legislative Kickoff Exemplary Legislative Service Awards: Rep. Carney, Rep. Elmore, Rep. K. Hall, Rep. Saine, Sen. Newton, Sen. Sawyer, & Sen. Woodard. Speakers: Secretary D. Reid Wilson, Jeff Bell, Nate McGaha Musical Performance: Laurelyn Dossett |
| 10:30 – 1:00 | Performances 10:30 – DREAMS 11:00 – Emilie Powell, Pianist 11:30 – Theatre for All 12:00 – Royal Oaks School of the Arts 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.
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!
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 April 18.
Review the Advocacy Toolkit
