Why the arts?

Rural Counties with performing arts organization have three times more population growth, attract more workers and jobs, provide higher incomes, and recover more quickly from recessions. 

The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $2.12 billion in direct economic activity in North Carolina, supporting almost 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $201.5 million in revenue for local governments and the State of North Carolina.

Students who are involved in the arts throughout four years of high school score 100 points higher on their SATs and are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.