Mecklenburg County lands $1.2 million in state art grants

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County art-based organizations are receiving $1.2 million in state grants this year. 

The county had the state’s largest number of combined grant funds for the current fiscal year.

The North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, announced $11 million in grant awards Monday for fiscal year 2025–26. The grants range from $2,000 to $347,014, and support nonprofit arts organizations, schools, after-school programs, municipalities, and artists in all 100 counties. 

Mecklenburg County is home to the second largest grant in the state, with more than $335,000 awarded to the Arts and Science Council for arts programs and administrative support.

ASC provides advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the county’s cultural community.

“Our state’s commitment to supporting arts and culture is critical for our communities and our economy,” said DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “The N.C. Arts Council enhances lives and strengthens communities across all 100 counties. We appreciate this continued investment from the Governor and the General Assembly.” 

Several Charlotte organizations each received a $63,500 grant for administrative support: 

• The North Carolina Performing Arts Center at Charlotte Foundation
• Mint Museum of Art
• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
• Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
• Charlotte Ballot*

The Charlotte Ballot also landed a $5,500 grant for a West African dance residency. 

Funding priorities for the NC Arts Council this year include: 

• Emphasizing community outreach and audience engagement =
• Improving organizational capacity and capabilities
• Connecting K–12 students with artists in a range of disciplines, notably with the traditional arts of North Carolina
• Fostering public-private partnerships that leverage state and federal funding with local support
• Providing outreach to military service men and women, veterans, and their families
• Supporting local arts partners in all 100 counties to ensure all North Carolinians can experience the arts in their own communities

The largest grant went to United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County ($347,014). 

“This year marks the second year of our Sustaining Support Grant,” said Arts Council Executive Director Jeff Bell. “We are excited to continue to provide important operating support to arts organizations across the state. This type of funding ensures stability for the arts sector in North Carolina.”