Exemplary Legislative Service to the Arts Awards
On April 18th at ARTS Day 2023 Arts North Carolina presented our first Exemplary Legislative Service to the Arts Awards to seven Members of the NC General Assembly that had championed the arts and arts education at the state legislature. These representatives continued to support the arts throughout the legislative session and were instrumental in the historic funding and policy in support of the arts and arts education in the state budget. The recipients of the Arts NC Exemplary Legislative Service to the Arts Award were Rep. Becky Carney. Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, Rep. Kyle Hall, Rep. Jason Saine, Sen. Paul Newton, Sen. Vickie Sawyer, and Sen. Mike Woodard. Please take a few minutes to review the accomplishments of these legislators in service to the arts.
NC House of Representatives
- Arts Champion in NC House for over two decades, and previously on Mecklenburg County Commission.
- Joint Caucus on the Arts and Arts Education Chair since 2018.
- Five-time primary sponsors of Arts High School Graduation Requirement.
- Filed bills this session for $3.5 million in NCAC Grants and K-5 Music and Visual Art Requirements.
- Primary sponsor the Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement: H136
- Filed a total of five bills for NC Arts Council grants funding in last three years.
- Secured $2.5 million recurring funds to Grassroots Arts Program and $1.5 million to A+ Schools of NC.
- Joint Caucus on the Arts and Arts Education Chair from 2018 through 2022.
- Three-time primary sponsors of Arts High School Graduation Requirement.
- Filed the Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement and ensured it became law.
- Primary sponsor this session of bills for $3.5 million in NCAC Grants and K-5 Music and Visual Art Requirements.
- Primary sponsor on five bills for NC Arts Council grants funding in last three years.
- New Joint Caucus on the Arts and Arts Education Chair this session.
- Secured $2.5 million recurring funds to Grassroots Arts Program and $1.5 million to A+ Schools of NC.
- Champion for arts funding on AgNER Appropriations subcommittee since 2016.
- Essential to $9.4 million allocation of CARES funding to arts organizations through NC Arts Council.
- Crucial to securing $15 million in ARPA funding to arts organizations through NC Arts Council.
- Primary sponsor this session of bills for $3.5M in NCAC Grants, the Arts Proficiency HS Diploma Endorsement, and K-5 Music and Visual Art Requirements.
- Secured $2.5 million recurring funds to Grassroots Arts Program and $1.5 million to A+ Schools of NC.
- Essential to $9.4 million allocation of CARES funding to arts organizations through NC Arts Council.
- Crucial to securing $15 million in ARPA funding to arts organizations through NC Arts Council.
- Served on the board and was Board Chair of the Arts Council of Lincoln County.
NC Senate
- As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, worked to ensure that nonprofits were included in state pandemic relief programs with other small business.
- Long-time champion for nonprofits working closely with NC Center for Nonprofits.
- Arts supporter in corporate life prior to taking public office.
- Joint Caucus on the Arts and Arts Education Chair since 2021 Session
- Worked to ensure all counties without a direct CARES Act appropriation received Arts Relief from $9.4 million in CARES Act funding.
- Office adorned with rotating collection of local art from her district.
- Joint Caucus on the Arts and Arts Education Chair since 2019 Session
- Secured $2.5 million recurring funds to Grassroots Arts Program and $1.5 million to A+ Schools of NC.
- Filed bill for Arts High School Graduation Requirement in 2019
- Worked for all counties without a direct CARES Act appropriation to receive relief from $9.4 million in CARES Act funding.
- Has been a long champion of nonprofits working closely with NC Center for Nonprofits
- Served on the board and was Board Chair the of Durham Arts Council