Grants Awarded to Support the Work of Artists in a Five-County Triad Region

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Grants Awarded to Support the Work of Artists in a Five-County Triad Region

Counties include Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph

Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C. (January 7, 2026) – The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (The ACGG) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Artist Support Grant. A total of $51,700 has been awarded to 31 artists across North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant Region 11, which includes Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph counties. These grants support the professional and artistic development of local artists and are funded annually by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as part of a statewide initiative to foster artistic growth. Additional funding for the program was provided by Wells Fargo and The ACGG Corporate Affinity Program members.

This year’s awards support a wide range of creative work across visual art, craft, writing, film, music, and dance, reflecting both artistic excellence and community engagement. Funded projects include photography, sustainable craft and book arts, new stage works and poetry reclaiming overlooked histories, locally produced film and digital media, and music projects that blend cultural storytelling with collaboration and fair artist compensation. Additional projects span sculpture, large-scale textile installations, iron casting, festival infrastructure, children’s book illustration, functional design, dance works and films exploring ancestry and transformation, digital collage, and streetwear design. Together, these projects strengthen the region’s creative ecosystem while expanding access, reflection, and shared cultural experience.

"The ACGG, in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County, remains committed to empowering artists in their creative journeys and entrepreneurial endeavors," says Laura Way, President and CEO of The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. “Artists fuel the cultural spirit and creative economy of our region. The Artist Support Grant honors that impact by providing direct investment in their growth and their ability to keep creating,” said Shannon B. Henry, Interim President & CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.

A total of 133 applications were received, with awards ranging from $634 to $2,000 in the disciplines of visual arts and crafts, literature, film, dance, music, and performing arts.

“My creative storytelling always comes back to one core value: community,” said Yakira Muhammed, grant recipient for writing and literature. “Through my play Lucille Blues, I aim to honor overlooked artists and give voice to stories erased by history. This grant allows me to move forward with a staged reading, gather feedback, and strengthen the work through collaboration and shared experience.”

The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County administered the grant process and convened review panels to determine award recipients. More information about the grant recipients is available on both organizations’ websites.

The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro is dedicated to fostering creativity and enriching the cultural lives of all residents. The ACGG supports, promotes, and elevates local arts and cultural organizations to make a lasting community impact. www.theacgg.org

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the lead advocate for the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, working to grow and sustain arts offerings that bring the community together and make the region a vibrant place to live, work, and play. www.intothearts.org

The North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, builds on the state’s long-standing love of the arts and serves as an economic catalyst for a thriving nonprofit creative sector generating $2.23 billion in annual direct economic activity. www.ncarts.org

For additional information, please contact:

Lindsay Emery, Marketing Director The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro lemery@theacgg.org | 336-279-7086 | www.theacgg.org

Alisha Gaskins, Director of Marketing and Strategic Engagement Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County agaskins@intothearts.org | 336-747-1421 | www.intothearts.org

FY26 Artist Support Grant Recipients

Individual Award and Amount:

Janice Lancaster, $2,000

Jamilah Muhammad, $1,847

Daniel Brooks, $2,000

John Ray, $2,000

Spencer Bang, $2,000

ShLanda Burton, $1,995

Adam Fagin, $2,000

Yakira Muhammad, $1,700

Sara Charles, $2,000

Allison Daniel, $2,000