ARTS Day 2025
North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art & Action
April 22, 2025 – Conference Day at the McKimmon Center, Raleigh
A recently released legislative calendar shows that the NC House and the NC Senate will be on break during the entire week of ARTS Day is scheduled this year. As a result, we will not be hosting a Legislative Day on Halifax Mall this year, though we will have Conference Day on April 22nd at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh.
This will not hinder our voices from being heard! We will spread our advocacy over a several weeks and work with our County Captains and local arts leaders to schedule in-person meetings in home districts or virtual meetings online. We will also be discussing opportunities for separate “drive-in” advocate delegations to come to Raleigh or arts focused events to be held for elected officials closer to home.
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 conference.
ARTS Day 2025 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, Katie Cornell – Arts NC Board Chair, Jeff Bell – Executive Director NC Arts Council |
| 11:20 | Pam Breaux – President and CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies |
| 11:40 | ShaLeigh Comerford – Artistic Director, ShaLeigh Dance Works |
| 11:55 | Performance – ShaLeigh Dance Works |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 12:45 | State & Federal Legislative Updates – Ken Melton, and Nate McGaha |
| 1:15 | David Holland – Deputy Director, Creative West |
| 2:30 | Networking Break |
| 3:00 | Artist Spotlight Video |
| 3:05 | North Carolina Arts Council Update – Vicki Vitiello, Deputy Director |
| 3:25 | Performance – Donna Ray Norton |
| 3:40 | Networking Break |
| 4:10 | Keith Knight – Comics Creator and Cartoonist |
| 4:30 | Larry & Joe – Musicians |
| 4:45 | Performance – Larry & Joe |
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.
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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!
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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 23.
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.
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