The Arts Council Inc
The Arts Council Inc, also known as the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1949, the organization serves as the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in the region. The Arts Council owns and manages various arts complexes and theatres located on approximately seven acres in downtown Winston-Salem, including community event spaces, offices for nonprofit charitable organizations, activity rooms for children and adult programming, and related facilities. The organization operates with a staff of 55 employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.1M
-5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+38.9% YoY
Grant Count
44
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+26.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Arts Council's mission is to create an environment in which the arts flourish and enrich the quality of life in Forsyth and surrounding counties. The organization accomplishes this by efficiently and effectively raising funds and making grants, strengthening its broad array of arts resources and offerings, and promoting the arts.
Primary focus areas include:
- Arts in Education: The organization is the largest funder of the arts in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Schools.
- Venue Accessibility & Programming: Providing subsidies to arts organizations and offering free or subsidized access to facilities including the Main Gallery, Reynolds Place Theatre, Hanesbrands Theatre, and Mountcastle Forum. The organization also offers venue programming such as monthly comedy shows.
- Artist Funding and Support: Providing grant funding, fiscal sponsorships, artist opportunities from external funders, and in-kind marketing support to arts partners.
Grantmaking
The Arts Council makes grants to arts and cultural organizations across multiple disciplines. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Arts Council primarily funds organizations and artists in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina, with some activity extending to surrounding counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $12,738,849
- Total Revenues: $3,345,650
- Total Expenses: $4,795,140
- Total Liabilities: $4,150,000
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,059,455
- Total Giving: $2,774,715
The organization maintains a strong financial position with a Four-Star rating reflecting excellent accountability and financial management practices.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,059,455 | $12,738,849 | $13,960,396 |
| Revenue | $5,498,748 | $3,345,650 | $3,229,060 |
| Expenses | $6,181,158 | $4,795,140 | $3,960,249 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $17,836 | $-33,744 | $4,768 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from The Arts Council Inc
Artist Support Grant - North Carolina Arts Council Region 11
THE ARTS COUNCIL INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Express Grants (South Arts)
THE ARTS COUNCIL INC
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
National Emergency Grants for Dancers (Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grant)
THE ARTS COUNCIL INC
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Triad Cultural Arts Inc ($111,941), 1 Love Festival ($88,750), Center for Creative Economy ($84,341).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 LOVE FESTIVAL WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $88,750 |
| APERTURE WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $42,194 |
| ACTION4EQUITY WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $53,287 |
| ARTS DISTRICT OF WINSTON-SALEM WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $30,554 |
| ART SHAC INC WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $12,500 |
| AUTHORING ACTION WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $46,408 |
| CASHMERE BABY EXPO JACKSONVILLE, FL | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $27,980 |
| CENTER FOR CREATIVE ECONOMY WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $84,341 |
| COMMUNIDAD MUJER VALIOSA WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $25,512 |
| CREATIVE CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA WINSTONSALEM, NC | OPERATING ASSISTANCE | $41,145 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Mrs. Chase Law
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHASE LAW END 21624 | PRESIDENT & | 60 | $186,793 |
| HOWARD UPCHURCH BEG 2124 | INTERIM PRES | 40 | $46,239 |
| ROBIN MILLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR ROSA OTERO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KENNETH PETTIGREW | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRACY PRESTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| IRIS COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| AMY REYNOLDS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CLAIRE TUTTLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TALITHA VICKERS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JACINTA WHITE END DECEMBER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PEGGY REINGOLD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHANNON HENRY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JASON KAPLAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFF LINDSAY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAKE WHARTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR LYNN ANTHONY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TODD BANKHEAD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| COURTNEY PAYNE BENFIELD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEPHAN DRAGISIC | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CLARE FADER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LINDA GASKINS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RICH GEIGER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DREW GERSTMYER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CAMILLE KLUTTZ-LEACH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SUE HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHAD CHEEK | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MIKE LANCASTER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| STEVE BERLIN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Arts Council Inc fund?
The Arts Council's mission is to create an environment in which the arts flourish and enrich the quality of life in Forsyth and surrounding counties. The organization accomplishes this by efficiently and effectively raising funds and making grants, strengthening its broad array of arts resources and offerings, and promoting the arts. Primary focus areas include: • **Arts in Education**: The organization is the largest funder of the arts in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Schools. • **Venue Acc…
How do I apply for a grant from The Arts Council Inc?
The Arts Council makes grants to arts and cultural organizations across multiple disciplines. Recent grant activity includes: **Recent Grants Made (2023-2024):** • Twin City Stage: $107,599 (Operating Assistance) • Winston Salem Symphony: $83,004 (Operating Assistance) • North Carolina Black Repertory Company: $82,004 (Operating Assistance) • Sawtooth School for Visual Art: $68,889 (Operating Assistance) • Twin City Stage: $19,405 (Operating Assistance, 2024) **Grant Program:** The organization…
Where does The Arts Council Inc make grants?
The Arts Council primarily funds organizations and artists in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina, with some activity extending to surrounding counties.
What size grants does The Arts Council Inc award?
In 2024, The Arts Council Inc awarded 44 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Arts Council Inc's EIN?
The Arts Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0526856. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Arts Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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