FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Raleigh, NC – January 8, 2025 – United Arts is pleased to announce that 47 local artists from across five counties have been awarded a total of $68,400 in funding for 2025 through our Artist Support Grants, marking another successful year of supporting the creative community. The funding is made possible by the NC Arts Council and administered by United Arts for artists residing in Chatham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake counties. 

The funding provides vital support for a wide range of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, music, theater, film, literature, and more. This year’s recipients will use the funds to create new works, attend professional development opportunities, purchase equipment, and enhance their craft. 

County Breakdown of Funded Applications:  

• Wake County: 38 applications funded  

• Chatham County: 2 applications funded  

• Harnett County: 2 applications funded  

• Johnston County: 4 applications funded  

• Lee County: 1 application funded 

The funded artists include a range of creators such as Andrea Renee Black (Wake, Theater), who will integrate puppetry into a production of Middlegame to enhance community engagement, and Preschool Rockstar (Wake, Music), who will host an album release concert blending education and family fun. Other recipients include Carol A. Brainard (Chatham, Visual Art), who will create larger-scale ceramic works, Elyse Johnson (Harnett, Visual Art), who will paint a mural in Dunn, NC, and Clarence Heyward (Johnston, Visual Art), who will craft larger-scale figural paintings.  

“United Arts is proud to play a role in supporting our local artists, whose work contributes so much to the cultural vibrancy of our communities,” said Jenn McEwen, President & CEO of United Arts Wake County. “Thanks to funding by NC Arts Council and other generous supporters, we can provide these talented individuals with the resources they need to grow and share their creativity with others.” 

About United Arts Wake County: United Arts aims to build a better Wake County through the support of and advocacy for the arts. Through grants, educational programs, and community initiatives, United Arts helps artists, arts organizations, and communities flourish.  

For more information, including details about future funding opportunities, visit unitedarts.org or contact John Craven at [email protected].  

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Featured Image: 2024 ASG Recipient Dani Coan performing in her show Ex-Boyfriends at Burning Coal’s Second Stage Series.