ARTS Day 2026
North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art & Action
May 12, 2026 – Conference Day at the McKimmon Center, Raleigh
May 13, 2026 = 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 2026 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 |
| 11:20 | Jamie Bennett |
| 12:00 | Performance – Paperhand Puppets |
| 12:20 | Lunch |
| 12:50 | State & Federal Legislative Updates – Ken Melton, and Nate McGaha |
| 1:40 | Hannah Hassan |
| 2:00 | Performance – Hannah Hassan |
| 2:20 | Networking Break |
| 2:50 | “We Lift Each Other” Trailer |
| 2:55 | Panel Discussion on the State of Funding in a Changing Environment |
| 3:35 | Performance – Africa Unplugged |
| 3:55 | Networking Hour & Ice Cream Social |
DAY 2 – LEGISLATIVE DAY
| 8:00 | Convene |
| 8:00-1:00 | Legislative Appointments |
| 8:30 | Advocacy 101 (condensed) – Nate McGaha |
| 9:00 | Legislative Kickoff Speakers TBA Musical Performance: Laurelyn Dossett |
| 10:30 – 1:00 | Performances TBA |
| 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 13.
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