ANNUAL REPORT
Connecting Community Through Culture
2024-2025
Where Community and Culture Connect!
CORE VALUES
01| MISSION & VALUES
OUR MISSION
Excellence Accountability Transparency Collaboration Innovation
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts.
IMPACT DASHBOARD
$1,096,180 Grants Distributed
13,439
Gallery visitors
25
$16,915,571
17,812
14
Community Events
Educational Participants
Economic Impact
Exhibitions Mounted
291
Artists Featured
In 2024-2025
Over 464,000 INDIVIDUALS
Were touched by the Arts Council's grants, initiatives, and services.
The Arts Council generates nearly $1.65 million annually in government revenue, underscoring the arts as a powerful driver of economic vitality in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
02 | PRESIDENT’S LETTER Robert PINSON President/CEO LUIS COLLAZO Chair
PRESIDENT/CEO’S LETTER Dear Friends and Supporters, As I reflect on this remarkable year, I'm continually inspired by our community's unwavering commitment to the arts and the resilience we've shown together. The 2024-25 season has been transformative, demonstrating once again that art has the power to heal, unite, and strengthen our shared bonds.
This past year, our exhibitions highlighted the many voices and traditions that shape Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The Latin Exhibit, Native American Exhibit, and Black History Exhibit each provided opportunities to honor heritage and celebrate culture through art. These exhibitions offered more than artistic excellence—they opened doors for reflection, conversation, and appreciation of the rich stories that live within our community. These achievements are possible because of our strong partnerships with the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and educational institutions like FSU, FTCC, and Cumberland County Schools. Together, we're building pathways for artistic discovery and cultural engagement across all ages and backgrounds. Looking ahead, we're focused on expanding community access through enhanced programming, improved accessibility, and deeper partnerships. Our vision is an arts community where creativity flourishes and everyone feels welcome to participate, create, and connect. Thank you to our donors, dedicated volunteers, visionary board members, and entire community for making art a cornerstone of life in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
BOARD LEADERSHIP A Message from Our Board Chair This year exemplifies our board's unwavering commitment to strategic stewardship and community leadership. Through careful governance and fiscal oversight, we've guided the Arts Council toward sustainable growth while maximizing community impact. The arts are fundamental to a vibrant society—they strengthen our economy, enhance educational opportunities, and build bridges across diverse communities. Our strategic direction prioritizes accessibility, innovation, and long-term sustainability to ensure the arts remain central to our region's identity and prosperity. Our board brings together leaders from business, education, healthcare, and the arts, united in our commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources. We've established clear strategic priorities that align programming with community needs while maintaining financial stability and operational excellence. This governance framework enables bold programming like our signature exhibitions and community partnerships. Every decision reflects our dedication to transparency, accountability, and measurable community impact. Thank you for entrusting us with this vital community institution as we chart a strategic course for continued growth and service.
Luis Collazo 2024-2025 Board Officers
With gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,
Robert Pinson
Walter White Vice Chair
Pavan Patel Treasurer
Betty Goolsby Secretary
03 | ARTS PROGRAMMING
Katie Crawford Whimsical Naturalist 2025
Celebrating Community Through Art The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County and Fayetteville PWC brought Fayetteville into focus as a true arts destination with the 20th anniversary Public Works Community Art Exhibition. With over 120 artworks from artists across the region, ranging from imaginative youth pieces to polished professional creations, the exhibit embodied the depth of local creative talent. Curator Beverly Henderson’s vision to spotlight both emerging and seasoned artists came alive in a display that celebrated local creativity and reinforced Fayetteville’s growing reputation as a vibrant arts hub that unites community, culture, and creativity.
Being selected for the Local Artist Spotlight Gallery gave me the confidence to continue and create more work! Joy McGugan
04 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Public Works Exhibit 2025 Sponsored by Fayetteville PWC
Community Event Collage
Over 13,000 visitors engaged with gallery shows in FY25
Educational Programs Snapshot
Arts in Education served 65 schools across Cumberland County
Accessibility Initiatives The Arts Council emphasized expanded accessibility in public spaces, including ADA-compliant entrances and free community days .
05 | IMPACT & PARTNERSHIPS
ARTIST SUCCESS STORIES INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS DISTRIBUTED Bobbe Garcia Bobbe Garcia used funding for EMBODIED, a layered mixed-media exhibit inspiring healing, feminine strength, and connection.
Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County awarded more than $120,000 in individual artist grants to support projects that enriched the
community, elevated local talent, and created
experiences that drew new audiences to discover the arts in Fayetteville & Cumberland County.
These grants provided artists with the resources
to bring creative visions to life, from mixed-media
JaLisa McCullough Artist JaLisa McCullough used our Local Artist Spotlight Gallery to display her exhibit ICONS, a body of work inspired by themes of pop culture icons and her love for [the now defunct] Word Up! Magazine.
exhibits to cultural storytelling, and they reinforced the Council’s commitment to cultivating a thriving arts scene.
Other funded artists presented work that
expanded representation and introduced
unique cultural perspectives into Fayetteville’s arts landscape.
By empowering individual artists, the Arts Council not only supported creative growth but also
positioned Fayetteville as a destination where community stories are told, celebrated, and
John Scrudder Artist John Scrudder used our Local Artist Spotlight Gallery for his exhibit MENTAL TENSION, which explored the intersection of art, mindfulness, and mental health, inviting viewers to slow down, reflect, and engage.
preserved through diverse artistic expression.
06 | ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Revitalizing Downtown Fayetteville
Cultural Destination Branding
The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County anchored its gallery on Hay Street and offered consistent programming, helping transform downtown into a lively arts district that draws residents and visitors alike.
By consistently investing in community events and artist support, the Arts Council positioned Fayetteville as an arts destination in North Carolina. Its initiatives brought recognition beyond the region and made cultural tourism a key part of downtown’s growth.
Public Works Community Art Exhibition
Gallery Foot Traffic and Local Economy
The long-running PWC-sponsored exhibition gave a platform to more than 120 artists in spring 2025, highlighting voices from students to professionals. It demonstrated how public-private partnerships advance arts accessibility and strengthen Fayetteville’s reputation as a cultural hub.
Exhibitions and public events increased foot traffic downtown, boosting nearby restaurants, shops, and small businesses. The gallery became a destination, making the arts a driver of both culture and commerce.
Partnerships with Local Businesses
Veteran Artist Support
The Arts Council of Fayetteville & Cumberland County strengthened ties with downtown businesses by coordinating events that merged art and commerce. Initiatives such as gallery crawls and collaborative promotions created a stronger connection between the arts and Fayetteville’s local economy.
Veteran artists received direct opportunities to showcase their work, sharing personal stories and healing journeys through creative expression. These efforts emphasized inclusivity while honoring the military population that shapes the region.
07 | FINANCIAL OVERVIEW | Forward Look
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY We remain committed to financial transparency and careful stewardship of community resources. Our funding comes from a balanced mix of public and private sources, including grants, city and county support, earned revenue, and generous donations. These resources allow us to deliver impactful programs, maintain our gallery, and invest in initiatives that expand access to the arts. Looking ahead, we will continue aligning our funding priorities with community needs to ensureevery dollar strengthens creativity, connection, and cultural growth.
2025-26 Strategic Priorities Our focus for 2025–26 is on expanding educational opportunities, deepening community engagement, and elevating Fayetteville’s identity as an arts destination. Each priority reflects our commitment to fostering collaboration, supporting local artists, and welcoming diverse voices into the cultural conversation. Together, these strategies position us as a catalyst for creativity and a champion for inclusive, accessible arts experiences.
2024-2025 Board of Trustees Andrew Henrickson
Juelle McDonald
Caitlyn Barnett
Karlyn Shawn McManus
Callie Farmer Dominique Womack Jayden McRae Joshua Choi
Connect with us!
Ray Thomas Ricardo Morgan Sheila Cuffee
www.theartscouncil.com | (910) 323-1776 | 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301