Winston-Salem Business Magazine - January 2008 - (Page 19) The Arts Council to Launch 2008 Annual Fund Drive BY RENEE HONEY In February, The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County will once again launch the Annual Fund Drive that asks individuals and businesses to support projects that enrich our community. Much like the United Way supports various community non-profit agencies, The Arts Council supports more than 50 arts organizations and artists within our community. From the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Piedmont Opera to the North Carolina Black Repertory Company and the RiverRun International Film Festival, The Arts Council’s organizational support grants provide a strong base of funding for the growth of programs in our community’s top arts organizations. Ensuring the operational stability of these organizations is critical to fostering Forsyth County’s arts community. Since its inception in 1949, The Arts Council has acted as a catalyst in the community to preserve and promote arts and culture in this area. With the proceeds from the annual campaign drive, grant programs help provide arts education to schoolchildren, promote economic development and improve the quality of life in our community. For more than 15 years, The Arts Council has partnered with the 2008 Campaign Co-Chairs, Erna and Bill Womble, Jr. Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools to expose all the children in public schools to professional arts programs, exhibitions and performances. In the 2005-2006 school year, The Arts Council and some of its funded partners provided more than $65,000 to the public school system. That funding provided free concerts, arts classes, camps, workshops and special tours and performances to almost 50,000 students in every public elementary, middle and public high school as well as several private schools. Responses to the Americans for the Arts Survey confirmed that the arts are a major economic force and driver in our local economy. Based on 2005 data, the survey revealed that spending in Forsyth County – $55.7 million by non-profit arts and cultural organizations and an additional $48.1 million in event-related spending by audiences – supports 3,772 full-time equivalent jobs in our community, generates $70.3 million in household income to local residents and delivers $10.4 million in local and state government taxes. A donation to the Annual Fund Drive benefits many people on many levels. If you or your company has never donated or volunteered time, 2008 can be your year to support the arts in the City of the Arts. For more information visit www.intothearts.org or call 336-722-2585. WINSTON-SALEM BUSINESS | 19 PHOTO BY ANDREW HONEY http://www.intothearts.org
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