USO of NC, NC Arts Council partner to deliver dynamic and creative programming for NC’s military families

The USO of North Carolina and the North Carolina Arts Council are excited to partner together on a new arts, entertainment and education content series that will connect North Carolina artists with North Carolina’s military community. This partnership brings together two high-impact nonprofit organizations who believe in the transformative and restorative power of the arts for veterans, active duty service men and women, and their families

Over the last two months artists across our state are shifting to online platforms to stay connected, build community, and generate income. Simultaneously, civic groups and service organizations like the USO of NC have also pivoted to virtual program delivery to nurture and keep their communities connected during this unprecedented time.

“During this time of hardship and isolation, North Carolinians have turned to the arts for comfort and for a sense of connection to others. Because of our strong, ongoing partnership with the USO of North Carolina, we have the opportunity to expand the reach of our virtual arts programming, ensuring that more military members and their families can engage and benefit,” said Wayne Martin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arts Council.

“The USO of NC has been using arts in its resiliency programs since the beginning. We can think of no better way to continue to bridge gaps for military families than through increased access to the arts through virtual programming. The NC Arts Council has been vital to our ability to connect families across the state to a wide variety of artists,” said Heather Rossi, Program Operations Manager for the USO of NC.

This partnership was made possible by the NC Arts Council’s Military and Veterans Healing program, which provides grants that support arts projects focused on serving North Carolina’s military servicemen and women, veterans, and their families. Projects are founded in collaboration with arts and military organizations like the USO of NC.

An array of art projects and content with an emphasis on serving military and veteran audiences are currently available on the USO of NC Facebook page and NC Arts Council Facebook page and more are being planned:

• Hobey Ford - Internationally renowned puppeteer and award-winning performer with Loyd Artists, performs World Tales, with an upcoming Art in the Shadows - Shadow Puppet Theater Workshop July 7th 2020.

• Jaki Shelton Green – Awarding winning NC Poet Laureate and Duke University instructor, hosts ‘Building our Life’s Museum,’ Webinar, July 14, 2020.

About the North Carolina Arts Council The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. www.NCArts.org