The Durham Arts Council Inc
The Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a Durham, North Carolina–based public charity (Form 990) that supports local artists and arts organizations through grants, technical assistance, arts education, and access to arts facilities. The organization says it has served as a catalyst for Durham’s cultural development since 1954.
The Durham Arts Council Inc at a glance
In short: The Durham Arts Council Inc gave $382K across 96 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $382,218
- -17.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 96
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,981
- -31.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $1,025,241
- -13.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Durham Arts Council Inc
- How to Apply
-
Review the guidelines for the specific grant program. Requirements and eligible activities vary by program; for example, the Facility Grant Program is for short-term arts activities, while Season Grants are for ongoing operations, year-round activities, and annual events.
- Contact
Mailing address: 120 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 560-2787
Website: https://durhamarts.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Durham Arts Council Inc
Who The Durham Arts Council Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Carolina Theatre of Durham ($64K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $154K.
Grant Size Distribution
373 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 370 grants of 373 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The council’s mission and grantmaking center on Durham. The 2025 grants listed in the filing all went to recipients in North Carolina. The council’s Creative Arts in Schools Program also serves sites in Durham, Orange, Granville, Chatham, and Person counties, according to its 2023 filing narrative.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 96 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Durham Arts Council Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $83K (2020) to $590K (2021). In 2025 it made 96 grants totaling $382K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Theatre of Durham Durham, NC | Fletcher Performing Arts Fund Grant | $57,352 |
| Zenzalai Group INC(FISCAL Sponsor St Joseph's Historic Foundation) Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $9,800 |
| Empower Dance Studio LLC Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $9,800 |
| Historic Preservation Society of Durham Inc DBA Preservation Durham Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $7,700 |
| The Stagville Memorial Project Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $6,000 |
| Choral Society of Durham Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $6,000 |
| Vault Theatre Limited Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $5,800 |
| The Artisan Market at 305 Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $5,440 |
| Party Illegal LLC Durham, NC | Arpa Grant | $5,120 |
| Claymakers Arts Community Durham, NC | Arpa Participation Fees | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Durham Arts Council Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,025,241 | $3,063,229 | $3,367,507 | $382,218 | 96 | $75,978 |
| 2024 | $1,189,801 | $2,719,713 | $2,824,811 | $464,700 | 80 | $27,734 |
| 2023 | $936,482 | $2,643,344 | $2,454,530 | $267,752 | 31 | $14,468 |
| 2022 | $676,927 | $2,260,692 | $2,022,067 | $256,184 | 90 | $47,106 |
| 2021 | $657,218 | $2,110,368 | $2,005,367 | $589,883 | 76 | $22,998 |
| 2020 | $566,062 | $2,053,594 | $2,137,194 | $82,921 | 7 | $7,065 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The council’s mission is to lead, inspire, and promote excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all people in the Durham community. Its stated goals include expanding participation in arts experiences and arts education, supporting artists and arts organizations as they create and present work, and serving as a resource for Durham’s arts and cultural community.
Its grant recipients illustrate the range of supported work. The Carolina Theatre of Durham says it enriches audiences through programming that contributes to the region’s cultural, educational, and economic vitality. The Choral Society of Durham describes a focus on excellent choral performance and community cultural enrichment. Claymakers Arts Community says its mission is to nurture a thriving ceramics community through education, resources, and support. Other 2025 recipients include organizations whose stated missions involve dance-based youth development, music education, community healing, and preserving the heritage of historic Hayti and the African American experience.
Grantmaking
The council’s website lists grant opportunities for individual artists, arts organizations, and, for some facility programs, groups of artists. Programs include Emerging Artists Grants, Artist Support Grants, Season Grants, the Durham Arts Catalyst Grant, the Fletcher Performing Arts Fund, ARPA-funded grants, and Creative Spaces Grants.
In filing year 2025, the council reported 96 grants totaling $382,218. Grants ranged from $604 to $57,352, with a median award of $3,000. The largest listed award was $57,352 to Carolina Theatre of Durham for the Fletcher Performing Arts Fund Grant. Other large awards included $9,800 each to Zenzalai Group Inc. (fiscal sponsor St Joseph’s Historic Foundation) and Empower Dance Studio LLC for ARPA grants, and $7,700 to Preservation Durham for an ARPA grant.
The Facility Grant Program supports short-term arts activities in the council’s building, including projects in any art form. It is open to nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and groups of artists; applicants must be over 18. It does not fund fundraising events, gallery space for exhibits, ongoing operations, year-round activities, or annual events. The stated deadline is October 15, 2026.
The council’s website says the Catalyst Grant is intended to support arts projects in Durham and is appropriate for nonprofit organizations with limited grant-seeking experience. Its FY27 application cycle, which opened March 16, 2026, had a May 17, 2026 deadline and is past. Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of area artists and arts professionals; recommendations require approval by the council’s Board of Trustees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tabitha Concepcion as president, Geraud Staton and Adam Allegrini as vice presidents, Emric Jorgensen as treasurer, and Mike Woodard as secretary. Trustees listed on that filing are Sheila Crosby, Lori Blake-Reid, Ian Brown, Stephen Valentine, and Jose Cruz.
The Durham Arts Council Inc is led by Sherry Devries, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 20 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sherry Devries
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$114K (2020) → $125K (2025)
Tabitha Concepcion
President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chandra Guinn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Constanza Gomez-Joines
Trustee
Past President → President, 2023
President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Blake-Reid
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Wiener
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Hinton
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie Pierson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wade Walcutt
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Ellison
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maryah Smith-Overman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ian Brown
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jose Cruz
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea Cook
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Crosby
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Valentine
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam Allegrini
Vice President
Treasurer → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emric Jorgensen
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Geraud Staton
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Woodard
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Heidi Cartner (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Rick Grant (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Mark-Anthony Middleton (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Amey (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Baron Tymas (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Eugene Brown (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Janene Tompkins (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Nancy Clapp-Channing (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Antonio Arce (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Wooldridge (2022) — Vice President
- Former: Charlie Reece (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Mesecar (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Woodard (2021) — Past President
- Former: Elizabeth Weiner (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Rhonda Parker (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Rick Jorgensen (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Hill (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $125K, to Sherry Devries (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Durham Arts Council Inc
How much does The Durham Arts Council Inc give each year?
The Durham Arts Council Inc gave $382K across 96 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $465K across 80 grants.
What is The Durham Arts Council Inc's typical grant size?
The Durham Arts Council Inc's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,981, across 96 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Durham Arts Council Inc give grants?
The Durham Arts Council Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Durham, NC (89 grants), Rougemont, NC (3 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does The Durham Arts Council Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 96 grants with a stated purpose on The Durham Arts Council Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Season Grant" (37 grants), "Arpa Participation Fees" (30 grants) and "Arpa Grant" (26 grants).
Who are The Durham Arts Council Inc's largest grantees?
The Durham Arts Council Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Carolina Theatre of Durham ($63,541 across 3 grants), Zenzalai Group INC(FISCAL Sponsor St Joseph's Historic Foundation) ($12,800 across 2 grants) and Shaleigh Dance Works ($11,250 across 3 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Durham Arts Council Inc?
The Durham Arts Council Inc reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What does The Durham Arts Council Inc fund?
The council’s mission is to lead, inspire, and promote excellence in and access to the creation, experience, and active support of the arts for all people in the Durham community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Durham Arts Council Inc?
Review the guidelines for the specific grant program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Durham Arts Council Inc's EIN?
The Durham Arts Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-0599829. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 7, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Durham Arts Council Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Durham Arts Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Triangle Community Foundation Inc
Durham, NC
The foundation supports nonprofits in cultural arts, education and youth, nonprofit capacity building, and sustainable communities, with grants also benefiting fields such as health, conservation, and human services. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000 and ranged from about $5,000 to $1.39 million; it primarily serves Durham, Orange, Wake, and Chatham Counties in North Carolina. It accepts applications for competitive discretionary programs during open grant cycles; donor-advised fund grants are also made.
Assets
$335.8M
Grants
599
Total Given
$26.7M
The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation
Durham, NC
The foundation funds arts, arts education, and PreK–12 education, primarily for organizations in North Carolina’s Triangle region; its PreK–12 program focuses on Chatham, Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties. Recent awards ranged from $2,500 to $275,000, with a median of $15,000; program materials list multiyear grants of $15,000–$50,000 for arts education and $20,000–$50,000 for the arts. It accepts requests by contacting the executive director, who provides application materials upon request.
Assets
$43.0M
Grants
51
Total Given
$1.5M
Devonwood Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Devonwood Foundation supports a varied mix of charitable organizations, including education, youth development, literacy, arts, and community programs; its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $110,000, with a median of $5,000. Funding was concentrated in New York, North Carolina, and Maine, and the foundation accepts no unsolicited requests, giving only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$14.3M
Grants
88
Total Given
$1.4M
Durham Merchants Association
Durham, NC
Durham Merchants Association funds North Carolina charities addressing needs such as homelessness, food insecurity, health, youth services, and education. In 2024, grants ranged from $250 to $15,000, with a median of $4,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
39
Total Given
$168K
Fox Family Foundation Inc
Durham, NC
The Fox Family Foundation supports arts and culture, education, health, and human services, including operating support, capacity-building, and program work, for organizations serving Durham, Orange, or Wake counties. Its 2024 grants ranged from $750 to $40,000, with a median of $18,750; organizations may begin with an inquiry or meet-and-greet, but the board invites selected groups to apply.
Assets
$9.5M
Grants
30
Total Given
$523K
United Way of the Greater Triangle Inc
Durham, NC
United Way of the Greater Triangle funds locally driven efforts addressing poverty and economic mobility, including housing stability, food access, health, education, and workforce needs, primarily in Durham, Wake, Orange, and Johnston counties. In 2025, its 97 grants ranged from $5,510 to $427,548, with a median of $25,051; it also offers a specific Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund for eligible residents and nonprofits. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests generally.
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
97
Total Given
$4.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Durham Arts Council Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-durham-arts-council-inc-morg_3799be85402f4fc5a35cf137263df2c4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_560599829_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Durham Arts Council Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-durham-arts-council-inc-morg_3799be85402f4fc5a35cf137263df2c4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Durham Arts Council Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Durham Arts Council Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?