The Arts Council expresses sincere appreciation to the many corporations and firms within Winston-Salem and Forsyth County that have conducted 2011 workplace campaigns in support of the arts.

The workplace division, co-chaired by Cheryl Lindsay of Hanesbrands and Steve Berlin of Kilpatrick Townsend, has seen an amazing variety of events and promotions designed to increase employee awareness of the arts. A few examples are:

• Hispanic Alliance dancers performing for United Way and Wachovia Bank
• Singers from Twin City Theatre performing for Kilpatrick Townsend law firm
• “Flash mob” from UNCSA’s theatre program singing To Dream the Impossible Dream at Wake Forest Baptist Health’s kickoff
• A celebration of the arts day held by Forsyth County Government featuring entertainment, vendors and competitions between departments.
• A “behind the scenes” tour of the Milton Rhodes Arts Center and luncheon for accountants
• A faculty/guest artist wine and painting party in the gallery at Salem College
• A silent auction of local artists’ works at the central office, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System
• A culinary arts dinner prepared by local chefs for Novant/Forsyth Medical Center leadership donors

These and many, many more events have been instrumental in helping our workplace campaign thrive during 2011!

Special kudos to Hanesbrands, which raised an amazing $145,000 — well above its goal; Kilpatrick Townsend, with 100% participation and a fundraising record of more than $28,000; the City of Winston-Salem, exceeding its goal by more than $8,000; and the WSFCS system, which raised an amazing $73,000-plus even in a year when teachers’ jobs were cut. Several divisions also reached their goals, including insurance/financial planners and lawyers.

Thank you to everyone who has “given at the office” to support the arts!