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Arts Council to host “It Was All A Dream” A 40th Anniversary Exhibition of The Enrichment Center Winston-Salem, NC (July 10, 2023) -- Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host “It Was All A Dream”, a 40th Anniversary Exhibition of The Enrichment Center. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts July 14 – August 26. In a world where physical and mental disabilities often become limitations, there exists a group of exceptional artists who challenge the norm, redefine possibilities, and inspire us with their unyielding pursuit of dreams. “It Was All A Dream” celebrates these individuals who, despite their unique challenges, fearlessly embark on artistic journeys to express their innermost emotions, perspectives, and visions. These artists illuminate the innate human capacity to triumph over adversity. They use their talents as conduits to communicate their experiences, thoughts, and dreams, thereby inviting viewers to engage in a profound dialogue about disability, resilience, and the limitless potential of the human spirit. Through this exhibition, we celebrate the courage, resilience, and unwavering determination of artists who refuse to be defined by their disabilities. We invite you to immerse yourself in their art, allowing their stories to touch your soul and inspire you to embrace your own dreams, regardless of the barriers that lie ahead. It is our hope at The Enrichment Center of Winston Salem that “It Was All A Dream” inspires a shift in perspective, fostering a world that not only recognizes the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities but also values their contributions as integral parts of our shared human experience. The Enrichment Center’s mission is to enable, empower and enrich adults living with an intellectual or developmental disability, so they can grow as individuals, live with dignity, and have choices in how they fulfill their lives. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play.

ANNUAL SUMMIT JULY 18-23, 2023 Welcome to the Summit registration process! We are delighted to welcome you and 200+ other artists, administrators, educators, and funders to the Artists Thr!ve network. Artists Thr!ve helps us see where we are in our work, where we want to go, what is important to measure, and how we can improve in ways that benefit everyone involved. Artists Thr!ve is meant to be customized, adapted, and applied to many situations to support your work. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER THE “5” ROYALES MURAL APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 31, 2023 The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission is seeking artists to design and paint a full color mural of The “5” Royales, the early rock & roll band from Winston-Salem that was highly influential in the evolution and birth of rock & roll in the 1950s and ‘60s. They had two number one R&B hits in 1953: “Help Me Somebody” and “Baby Don’t Do It.” The artwork will be located on the east-facing exterior wall of the Big Winston Warehouse building at 724 N. Trade Street in the Arts District of downtown Winston-Salem. The artwork will be painted on a brick wall facing the sidewalk. The final artwork will measure approximately 34 by 18 feet. This project is being funded by the City of Winston-Salem. The budget of $19,999 is intended to pay for artist-design fees, paint and painting supplies, wall preparation, insurance, transportation, lodging, lift equipment rental, and painting the mural. Up to three finalists will be paid $1,000 to design and present a proposal. See link for more information. SOUTHERN PRIZE AND STATE FELLOWSHIP FOR LITERARY ARTS APPLICATION DEADLINE AUGUST 4, 2023 As the start of a new initiative supporting the literary arts field, writers can now apply for a total of $80,000 in awards. The genre for the 2024 cycle is Fiction. LEARN MORE AND APPLY ETHNO USA APPLICATION DEADLINE AUGUST 30, 2023 JM International (JMI) and The North Carolina Folk Festival announce a new partnership to bring the popular international musical exchange program, Ethno USA, to the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro this Fall. Ethno USA 2023 will welcome approximately 40 musicians from around the world (between the ages of 21-30 years old) along with 5 artistic mentors for a 12-day residency where the group will create a repertoire of songs from around the world played by a very unique Ethno orchestra. Ethno USA will also be inviting guest mentors Billy Two Rivers and Phil Wiggins, who will be visiting us on site and sharing their traditional knowledge and music with the Ethno USA ensemble. Participating musicians will get to experience a vast diversity of musical traditions both from the U.S. and other parts of the world. Between 12-16 songs will be shared from different countries and cultures. Participants bring with them a tune or piece of music which they teach to the other participants during the 12-day residency, creating a vibrant repertoire to be performed on stage. All teaching at Ethno is peer-led and collaborative. Besides the formal workshops, there will be plenty of opportunities to share music, traditions and jam with each other. The residency will culminate in three performances for the public that will showcase traditional, original and newly arranged songs created during the residency. Ethno USA’s public performances will take place on Thursday, September 7 (location TBA), and at the NC Folk Festival mainstage on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9. Scholarships are available for candidates that cannot afford the travel or participation fee (USD 318). Detailed information on Ethno USA. LEARN MORE AND APPLY GONDRING RESIDENCY IN WOODWORKING 2024 SAWTOOTH SCHOOL OF VISUAL ART APPLICATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 The Gondring Residency in Woodworking at the Sawtooth School of Visual Arts aims to provide an emerging or established artist or craftsperson working in wood with access to tools, facilities, and an energetic craft school environment to encourage the development of new skills, interpersonal connections, and bodies of work. The residency period runs for one year and includes a stipend of $3,000 to support the creation of a new body of work. Residents are chosen by the Director of Woodworking and a rotating jury. Selections are based on the quality of the work, its artistic merit, and the artist’s ability to bring new perspectives to our community. LEARN MORE AND APPLY

For Immediate Release TRIAD CULTURAL ARTS & ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCE EVENT CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HIP HOP WITH 9TH WONDER Winston-Salem, NC (July 6, 2023) – Triad Cultural Arts and Arts Council will present “Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop with 9th Wonder: A Master Class and Panel Discussion” on Monday, July 24 at 6:00pm at Reynolds Place Theatre. This event is free and open to the public, but advanced ticket reservations are required due to the anticipated “sell out.” Winston-Salem is known as a city of arts and innovation. Our citizens enjoy various forms of art and cultural experiences which are hosted by key organizations in our community, like Arts Council, Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, The Urban League, and Triad Cultural Arts. All of these organizations, including the Winston-Salem Police Department, are excited to partner and host a celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, which is said to be the most popular music style in America according to Billboard Magazine. 9th Wonder, a pioneer of hip-hop and “homeboy” of Winston-Salem, will present his master class as the featured artist of the event. As a graduate of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ Glenn High School and a former student of Fleming El-Amin, Board Chair of Triad Cultural Arts and former Forsyth County Commissioner, 9th Wonder is no stranger to the community. Later this summer, a mural will be revealed commemorating 9th Wonder’s legacy as a North Carolina Hall of Fame musician. As other communities across the nation celebrate hip-hop as a cultural innovation by African Americans, the citizens of Winston-Salem will, too. In addition to 9th Wonder’s master class presentation, an engaging Q&A will take place with community and guest panelists such as Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Judge Fred Adams, and Professor Bryan Turman of NC A&T. In addition to the event “Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop with 9th Wonder,” a free “Moderate Level Hip Hop Class & Brunch” will be presented on Friday, July 21 at 1pm at Carver High School. Interested parties can contact Quamekia Shavers for more information at qshavers@icloud.com. “Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop with 9th Wonder” is a sponsored project of Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and funded through ARPA supported by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Reynolds Place Theatre is located within Arts Council’s Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts at 251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Tickets are required and can be reserved at https://www.intothearts.org/campus-events. Triad Cultural Arts (TCA) was founded in 2007 as a nonprofit, community based, multi-disciplinary cultural arts organization. A leader in bringing recognition to Black American history and culture, TCA is dedicated to presenting programming that contributes to a culturally competent community so that significant and lasting improvements can be made in our society. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Cheryl Harry Executive Director, Triad Cultural Arts charry@triadculturalarts.org 336-575-8556 Katie Hall Chief Marketing Officer, Arts Council khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www: intothearts.org

LATITUDES IN AFRO-LATINX ART EXHIBIT APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 11, 2023 Latitude refers both to a place and a celestial object in relation to the equatorial mark we humans invented. It is an imaginary line around the globe. It both occupies north and south imaginations. In inviting Latitudes, we are inviting artists to submit artworks and practices that engage with the Afro-Latinx expressions in their diversities, expansions, and imaginations. Across the globe and across the skies, under and above the oceans. The exhibition is a collaboration between Casa Azul of Greensboro and The African American Atelier and will take place in The African American Atelier gallery in the Greensboro Cultural Center in September/October of 2023 in North Carolina. LEARN MORE AND APPLY ASSOCIATED ARTISTS OF WINSTON-SALEM INC – AMERICA APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 25, 2023 ($15 ENTRY FEE) Create art that is based on the word “America”. This may be landscapes, Americana art, symbols of America’s heritage. Paintings, photography, small 3D pieces may be submitted. LEARN MORE AND APPLY MAIN IN COLOR – THE ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL, JULY 15 VENDOR APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 25, 2023 Main in Color is a local Art & Design Festival operating to create an immersive art experience for the High Point community. We are proud to be working with an array of local organizations including but not limited to: The High Point Arts Council, Theatre Arts Gallery, High Point By Design and Cohab Space. It is our greatest goal to make the arts accessible and inclusive and in order to make that happen we need the participation of artists like yourself. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER Public Art Call - The "5" Royales Mural APPLICATION DEADLINE JULY 31, 2023 The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission is seeking artists to design and paint a fullcolor mural of The “5” Royales, the early rock & roll band from Winston-Salem that was highly influential in the evolution and birth of rock & roll in the 1950s and ‘60s. They had two number one R&B hits in 1953: “Help Me Somebody” and “Baby Don’t Do It.” Some of their more memorable hits were brought to wider popularity by more famous musicians. “Tell the Truth” was covered by Ray Charles, “Think” was a hit not just once, but twice, when sung by James Brown, and “Dedicated to the One I Love” was wildly successful when sung by The Shirelles and the Mamas and the Papas. The “5” Royales were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. This project is being funded by the City of Winston-Salem. The budget of $19,999 is intended to pay for artist-design fees, paint and painting supplies, wall preparation, insurance, transportation, lodging, lift equipment rental, and painting the mural. Up to three finalists will be paid $1,000 to design and present a proposal https://www.cityofws.org/DocumentCenter/View/29560/RFQ-5-Royales-PDF ANNUAL SUMMIT JULY 18-23, 2023 Welcome to the Summit registration process! We are delighted to welcome you and 200+ other artists, administrators, educators, and funders to the Artists Thr!ve network. Artists Thr!ve helps us see where we are in our work, where we want to go, what is important to measure, and how we can improve in ways that benefit everyone involved. Artists Thr!ve is meant to be customized, adapted, and applied to many situations to support your work. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER SOUTHERN PRIZE AND STATE FELLOWSHIP FOR LITERARY ARTS APPLICATION DEADLINE AUGUST 4, 2023 As the start of a new initiative supporting the literary arts field, writers can now apply for a total of $80,000 in awards. The genre for the 2024 cycle is Fiction. LEARN MORE AND APPLY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Martha Bassett Show to Take the Stage at Tanglewood Park Arts Council to hold free and family friendly concert Saturday, June 10 Winston-Salem, NC (June 7, 2023) – Forsyth County Government and Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host The Martha Bassett Show at the eighth annual Parks Concert Series on Saturday, June 10 at 5pm Tanglewood Park. Martha Bassett has been making music in NC since the mid-90s as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Based in Winston-Salem, her band has included many of the region’s finest players. The Martha Bassett Show, which features national, regional, and local artists is now in its 5th season and is broadcasted weekly on 88.5 WFDD on Saturdays at 7pm and WUTC in Chattanooga Saturdays at 4pm. Joining Martha Bassett for the June 10 concert is Nikki Morgan, Kelley & The Cowboys, and Sarah Kate Morgan. ­During the concert, families are encouraged to enjoy free art activities sponsored by Publix Charities. Vendors, food trucks, and beverages will also be available for purchase at all Parks Concert Series concerts. This concert’s vendors include Shuckers Corn, Big Mouff CheeseSteaks, Dream Kreams, and All Things Fun Face Painting by Heather Yountz. 2023 marks the eighth season for the Parks Concert Series which is a collaborative presentation by Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and Forsyth County Government. In an effort to spread out the concerts for the community, these concerts will take place once a month between May-October 2023. All concerts are free and family friendly. Tanglewood Park: 4061 Clemmons Rd., Clemmons, NC 27012 Series partners include Publix Charities, Best of Winston, WFDD, WSNC, WTOB, YES! Weekly, Foothills Brewing, and Raffaldini Vineyards. Concerts and parking at both parks are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and may bring a picnic or patronize food trucks onsite. Refreshments such as water, beer and wine are available for purchase with all proceeds supporting Arts Council. No outside alcohol is permitted. Four additional concerts will take place on the following dates: 1. Sunday, July 2, 5-8pm – Nia Imani Franklin and Special Guests – Triad Park 2. Saturday, August 12, 5-8pm – Tanglewood Park 3. Saturday, September 16, 2-5pm – Triad Park 4. Saturday, October 21, 2-5pm – Triad Park Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall Chief Advancement Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www: intothearts.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE West End Mambo to Take the Stage at Tanglewood Park Arts Council to hold free and family friendly concert Sunday, May 21, 2023 Winston-Salem, NC (May 5, 2023) – Forsyth County Government and Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host the eighth annual Parks Concert Series beginning on Sunday, May 21 at 2pm at Tanglewood Park. Formed in 1999, West End Mambo is comprised of musicians from North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. This nine-piece band will perform a fiery mix of classic salsa from bolero and rumbas to guaracha and son montuno. Their repertoire includes original orchestral salsa arrangements which they have performed with the Winston-Salem and Greensboro Symphonies. Musicians for this concert include Cesar Oviedo - piano & vocal, Chris Velez – congas, Sendy Mendez - Lead vocal, Ramon Garcia – bass, Ramone Ortiz – timbales, Christian McIvor – Trumpet, James Armstrong – Trumpet, and Steve Blake - sax & flute. ­During the concert, families are encouraged to enjoy free art activities sponsored by Publix Charities. Vendors, food trucks, and beverages will also be available for purchase at all Parks Concert Series concerts. 2023 marks the eighth season for the Parks Concert Series which is a collaborative presentation by Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County and Forsyth County Government. In an effort to spread out the concerts for the community, these concerts will take place once a month between May-October 2023. All concerts are free and family friendly. Tanglewood Park: 4061 Clemmons Rd., Clemmons, NC 27012 The featured Community Partner for this event is Comunidad Mujer Valiosa. Series partners include Publix Charities, Best of Winston, WFDD, WSNC, WTOB, YES! Weekly, Foothills Brewing, and Raffaldini Vineyards. Concerts and parking at both parks are free. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and may bring a picnic or patronize food trucks onsite. Refreshments such as water, beer and wine are available for purchase with all proceeds supporting Arts Council. No outside alcohol is permitted. Five additional concerts will take place on the following dates: 1. Saturday, June 10, 5-8pm – Tanglewood Park – The Martha Bassett Show 2. Sunday, July 2, 5-8pm – Triad Park 3. Saturday, August 12, 5-8pm – Tanglewood Park 4. Saturday, September 16, 2-5pm – Triad Park 5. Saturday, October 21, 2-5pm – Triad Park Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall Chief Advancement Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www: intothearts.org

NEWSLETTER May 2023 ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES FORSYTH COUNTY ARPA FUNDING The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners earmarked $4.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be managed by Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County. These funds will be used to provide aid to the local arts and the cultural sector, including arts and cultural organizations and artist small businesses through new revitalization and expansion of community-based arts programming, arts workforce development programs, and technical assistance. LEARN MORE AND APPLY LEAD SCHOLARSHIP GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Applications Due: May 1, 2023 We’re happy to announce the return of the LEAD Scholarship Grant for FY23-24. North Carolina nonprofit arts organizations are eligible to apply for this grant, which will provide funding to attend the Kennedy Center for the Performing Art's 2023 LEAD Conference in Boston, MA, from August 27–31. Grant recipients will also participate in a statewide arts accessibility learning cohort hosted by the N.C. Arts Council in collaboration with Arts Access. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to Kathleen Collier, our accessibility coordinator, by email at Kathleen.Collier@ncdcr.gov. She will send you the information you’ll need to access the application portal. The deadline to apply for this grant is May 1st. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 2023 ARTS COUNCIL CAMPAIGN - VENDOR MARKET REGISTRATION SPONSORED BY FORSYTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT Registration and Fee Deadline: May 19, 5:00 PM Date: Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 Location: Bailey Park, 575 N. Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Vendor Registration Fee: $25 (Arts Council verified vendors may receive a discounted registration rate) Event Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Vendors may begin setting up at 10:00 AM) Rain Date: Friday, June 2nd, 2023 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER THE DASH WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF THE SHOW! Hosting Auditions in the Spring The Dash want YOU to be a part of the show! We are looking for local actors and dancers to be a part of the 2023 Dash season. Acting parts and performances will vary. All interested parties must fill out the application below. We will be hosting auditions in the Spring. Be a part of the fun that is Dash baseball! For more information about available positions and compensation please email Director of Promotions & Entertainment, Caela McBride, at caela.mcbride@wsdash.com LEARN MORE Annual Summit – July18-23 Financial Assistance to Attend Artists Thr!ve Due May 26 Welcome to the Summit registration process! We are delighted to welcome you and 200+ other artists, administrators, educators, and funders to the Artists Thrive network. Artists Thrive helps us see where we are in our work, where we want to go, what is important to measure, and how we can improve in ways that benefit everyone involved. Artists Thrive is meant to be customized, adapted, and applied to many situations to support your work. Financial assistance to attend this event is available here. Financial assistance requests should be submitted no later than Friday, May 26. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Arts Council to host International Artist Exhibition with Namrata Mitra 5 ½ Yards: The History and Heritage of the Indian Saree Winston-Salem, NC (April 19, 2023) -- Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host international artist, Namrata Mitra for an exhibition titled 5 ½ Yards: The History and Heritage of the Indian Saree. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts May 19 – June 30, 2023. An opening artist reception is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 5-7 PM. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, Arts Council began engaging artist Namrata Mitra in the fall of 2022 for the exhibition 5 ½ Yards. The art of Namrata Mitra comes alive in the carefully curated products sold under the brand “Namrata Weaves.” As a female entrepreneur in India, she started the company modestly in her family's apartment in Kolkata, India. Namrata nurtured the company, working with numerous weavers and artisans who belonged to various diverse communities in India. As a result of these relationships, she developed a fraternity by offering a path forward to a better life for her creative colleagues. Simultaneously, she offered customers unique experiences such as presenting fabric in special designs with each saree having a distinctive name so that the customer knew that there is only one of that saree - a piece of art - that the customer can claim as the only one ever made. The 5 ½ Yards exhibition will feature the expanded way in which the work of Indian artisans and weavers can be creatively applied to fabric to bring alive the artistic sensibility of Namrata in a variety of products - from the traditional saree to keepsake “potli” bags that fit in with home decor products now available from Namrata Weaves. “The work of Namrata is much more than the length of fabric,” said Shannon Stokes, Director of Community Impact and Programs at Arts Council. “It is about the inspiring journey of Namrata and how her creative vision bridged communities together and redefined her role in Indian society as a social entrepreneur.” A portion of all sales will support artisans and weavers in India. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. They provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play. (END) For additional information, please contact: Katie Hall Chief Marketing Officer khall@intothearts.org 336-747-1421 www: intothearts.org

Arts Council Opens Call for Annual Awards Nominations Deadline for submission is February 15 at 5:00pm Winston-Salem, NC (January 26, 2023) – Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is accepting nominations for its 2023 annual awards, and members of the public have until 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 15, to submit a nomination. Nominations and self-nominations are welcome. Award recipients will be announced in early March and honored at Arts Council’s Annual Meeting and Celebration on March 21. “Each year, Arts Council looks forward to highlighting some of our community’s most dedicated arts and cultural partners,” said Chase Law, President and CEO of Arts Council. “Last fiscal year, we exceeded our annual fundraising goal to further our mission of lifting up the arts in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. It is our hope that by recognizing individuals and organizations that make Winston-Salem and Forsyth County a city of arts and innovation, we will inspire others to make an impact through their commitment to the arts.” Summary descriptions of the six annual awards to be made for 2023 are set forth below. More information and the nomination form can be found online at intothearts.org/annual-awards. Arts Council Award The recipient of the Arts Council Award will be an individual who has exhibited a strong commitment to volunteer service and has made a significant and lasting impact on the arts in our community. R. Philip Hanes, Jr. Young Leader Recognition Award The recipient of the R. Philip Hanes, Jr. Young Leader Recognition Award will be an individual under 40 years of age, whose time, talent and energy have furthered the mission of supporting and promoting the arts and culture of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, leaving a legacy of service for future young leaders and for the future development of the arts in our community. Arts Educator Excellence Award The Arts Educator Excellence Award will recognize an educator or teaching artist who has enriched the education of our community’s youth and inspired the next generation of artists, patrons and creative individuals. Business Leader in the Arts Award The Business Leader in the Arts Award recognizes a local business, non-profit or government workplace (1,000+ employees and Under 1,000 employees) for its exemplary efforts to integrate the arts into its workplace culture and employees’ lives. Community and Arts Impact Award The Community and Arts Impact Award recognizes an organization or group that uses arts and culture to positively engage with our community in impactful and innovative ways to elevate local artists. Arts Partner Award The Arts Partner Award will recognize an arts or cultural organization that is of high artistic quality and serves to enhance life in our community through the arts. This award pays special attention to both long-standing programs and organizations that have played a consistent role in the community and new organizations and programs that meet a previously unmet community need or focus areas. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play.

“Solstice: A Winter Circus Experience” Coming to Winston-Salem Family-Friendly Spectacle to Plunge Audience into World of Nostalgia WINSTON-SALEM, NC (January 25, 2023) Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and The Activate Entertainment Project are excited to announce the first contemporary circus production to be produced in the Triad. Solstice: A Winter Circus Experience will blend dance, theatre, music, and circus into a storytelling experience about self-discovery. Seven performances will take place at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts February 10th-19th, 2023. This family-friendly show is 75-minutes long and includes interactive and immersive elements to plunge the audience into the world of nostalgia. The show will feature eight talented artists, with a mixture of local and international performers including Dom Sebastian, LeDarius Parker, Jaleel Cheek, Toni Cannon, Sierra Rhoades Nicholls, Kevin Flanagan, and Liam Bradley. Acrobatic acts will include Chinese pole, hoop diving, b-boying, handbalancing on canes, and more. "We're so excited to create this first-of-its-kind show in Winston-Salem,” said Houston Odom, artistic director of Solstice. “We want to redefine what "circus" means to our community through a surreal and poetic experience aimed at tapping into the nostalgia of seeing snow fall for the first time." “Winston-Salem is ripe with opportunity to help develop one of the only contemporary circus companies in the region: The Activate Entertainment Project,” said Chase Law, president and CEO of Arts Council. “When UNCSA graduate Houston Odum approached us about this project, we were inspired to help bring this unique form of art to our community. This project is special as it brings together audiences through a visual medium and creates a shared experience of nostalgia. The arts have the power to bring people together.” Tickets start at $39 and are on sale now at https://www.intothearts.org/campus-events/solstice. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness, and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work, and play.

Arts Council to host “Straw Into Gold” Exhibition A Photographic Journey featuring Rosa “Malikia” Johnson Winston-Salem, NC (January 20, 2023) -- Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County will host exhibition Straw Into Gold: A Photographic Journey featuring Rosa “Malikia” Johnson. The exhibition will be on view in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts January 27 – March 11. An opening artist reception for the community is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 5-7 PM. Straw Into Gold: A Photographic Journey highlights the cultural legacy of African Ancestral Hair Sculpture through creative visionary Rosa “Malikia” Johnson. Known as “The Queen Mother of Braids,” Malikia’s unique, stylistic hair designs of intricate braiding and elaborate bead work have been showcased on notable icons such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Cicely Tyson, Beah Richards, and Abbie Lincoln to name a few. The exhibition features more than one hundred photographs including three dimensional objects and artifacts that represent a fraction of Malikia’s rich historical archive spanning the 1970s through the early 2000s. The artistic influence of Malikia’s sculpted hairstyles set a trend for American society to embrace a culturally rich legacy from across the African diaspora. “I am honored to share this traditional, cultural expression of glorious artistic African art,” said Johnson. “I have spent over forty years immersed in the exciting discovery of African traditions and adornment of which hair sculpture plays a vital role. The beauty expressed in traditional African art excited my imagination, propelled me into this art form, and enabled me to travel the world and raise my four children, of which I am grateful.” This exhibition is presented in partnership with Forever Nubian Productions. Forever Nubian Productions curates unique “Afric-Chic” events highlighting artists of the African diaspora through fine art, film, and performance art. Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Arts Council’s goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain the arts and cultural offerings throughout our region, ultimately bringing our community together and making it a great place to live, work and play.