Arts Davidson County Calls on Community to Help Sustain Local Arts Space and Programs
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Arts Davidson County Calls on Community to Help Sustain Local Arts Space and Programs
Lexington, NC — Arts Davidson County (ADC), the officially designated arts council for Davidson County, is inviting residents, businesses, and community partners to help sustain and strengthen the local arts programs and creative space that serve people throughout Davidson County.
“Every community deserves a place where creativity is encouraged and shared,” said Amanda Feliciano, executive director of Arts Davidson County. “We have worked hard to reestablish this space for Davidson County, and we are asking our community to help us sustain it so these opportunities remain available locally.”
Reestablishing a Dedicated Arts Space
After operating for several years without a permanent facility, the organization reestablished a dedicated arts space in Lexington in 2022. For the first time since the closure of the county’s previous arts center in 2004, Arts Davidson County could again provide a central location for exhibitions, performances, and arts education.
The space was initially developed in partnership with other local arts organizations. Today, Arts Davidson County serves as the sole organization responsible for operating, maintaining, and programming—an expanded role that has increased both opportunity and financial responsibility.
Since late 2025, ADC has made significant improvements to the space, enhancing its ability to host performances, exhibits, workshops, and community events while better serving artists, students, and local organizations. These upgrades have allowed the facility to grow into a more versatile and accessible cultural resource for the county. However, Arts Davidson County needs community support to continue.
A Space Built by the Community, for the Community
As the county’s designated arts council—recognized by Davidson County Government and the North Carolina Arts Council—Arts Davidson County has ensured public access to the arts for more than 50 years through student exhibits, arts education programs, community events, and partnerships with local organizations.
In addition to presenting its own programs, Arts Davidson County serves as a local partner in distributing state arts funding, supporting community arts programming, education initiatives, and cultural projects throughout the county.
Beyond cultural enrichment, arts programming plays a practical role in strengthening communities. Events hosted by Arts Davidson County bring residents and visitors to Uptown Lexington, support nearby businesses, and provide constructive, positive opportunities for young people.
Today, Arts Davidson County offers year-round programming that benefits residents of all ages, including:
Student art exhibits celebrating young artists across the county
Educational workshops and classes for youth and adults
Performances, open mic nights, and community events
Partnerships with schools, civic groups, and local nonprofits
A welcoming venue where artists and community organizations can host events and share their work
In a rural community where access to arts opportunities can be limited, maintaining a dedicated local arts space ensures that residents do not have to travel outside the county to experience live performances, visual arts, and creative learning.
A Call for Financial Support
Like many nonprofit organizations, Arts Davidson County relies on community support to maintain both the facility and programs that take place within it. Since assuming sole responsibility for operating the space, the organization has experienced increased financial pressure associated with rent, utilities, maintenance, and programming costs.
“Community participation through memberships, donations, sponsorships, and simply attending events plays a direct role in keeping this space open and these programs active,” Feliciano said.
Because Arts Davidson County also administers grant funding from the North Carolina Arts Council to support local artists, schools, and nonprofit organizations, the sustainability of the council is essential to the health of the county’s broader arts community.
To strengthen long-term sustainability, Arts Davidson County has launched its 50 for $50,000 Campaign, an initiative designed to establish a core circle of community supporters committed to ensuring that the arts remain accessible in Davidson County.
The campaign seeks 50 individuals, businesses, or community partners to contribute $1,000 each to collectively raise $50,000 in essential operating support.
Rather than serving as a one-time appeal, the initiative is intended to build a reliable foundation of leadership-level supporters whose investment helps stabilize facility costs, sustain year-round programming, and allow the organization to plan confidently for the future.
“This campaign is about more than reaching a financial goal,” Feliciano said. “It is about building a core circle of supporters who believe in the long-term value of the arts in our community and want to ensure this space remains here for future generations.”
Community members and businesses interested in supporting Arts Davidson County are encouraged to get involved through memberships, sponsorships, charitable contributions, and participation in upcoming events. Community support ensures that this space and the opportunities it provides remain available for the people of Davidson County.
About Arts Davidson County
Arts Davidson County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the officially designated arts council for Davidson County, recognized by both county leadership and the North Carolina Arts Council. In addition to presenting its own programs, the organization partners with the state to distribute grant funding that supports local arts education, exhibitions, performances, and community initiatives across the county.
