United Arts Council

A woman on a stage with three children is telling a story.
The Artists in Schools Expo in 2023

Empower a School


By contributing to our Empower a School program, you can bring the transformative power of the arts to students in high-poverty and under-resourced schools in Wake County. Your support will fully fund three to four arts programs throughout the school year, making an immediate and lasting impact.

Why Empower a School?

The arts are a vital part of a well-rounded education, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. However, many schools in our community lack the resources to provide these enriching experiences to their students. With your help, we can move closer to our goal of ensuring that every student in Wake County has equal access to arts education, regardless of their school’s funding.

Our Empowering a School program allows us to intentionally work with the school administration to program an entire year of cultural programs for an under-resourced school in Wake County. The philosophy is to be specific to the needs of each school in programming content as opposed to a one-size-fits-all model.

Artists in Schools Program

Our nationally recognized Artists in Schools program places professional teaching artists in over 150 schools annually, reaching more than 130,000 students across Wake County. These artists engage students through dynamic performances, interactive workshops, and in-depth residencies, opening doors to creativity and self-expression that last a lifetime.

Your Impact

Your generous donation of $5,000 will:

  • Fund 3 arts programs at a selected Title 1 school*, including performances, workshops, or artist residencies.
    • $7,500 will fund 4 arts programs
  • Provide students with enriching arts experiences they may not otherwise have access to.
  • Support professional artists who are passionate about bringing the arts into classrooms and making a difference in students’ lives.

*Donors can choose from a list of eligible Title 1 schools in Wake County to empower a school of their choice!

Ways to Engage

  • Exclusive Access: Your leadership team will receive invitations to attend the arts programming you’ve sponsored, giving you a firsthand view of the impact you’re making.
  • Sponsorship Recognition: Your support will be prominently recognized across our platforms, including our annual report, Artists in Schools materials, and social media.
  • Team Engagement: As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to host a professional teaching artist for a creative or team-building activity with your staff, via Zoom, bringing the arts directly to your organization.

Interested in sponsorship? Contact Lee Posey Pike at [email protected]



Sep 11

BOB MARLEY’S Three Little Birds

8:00 am–5:00 pm

A jammin’ musical featuring Bob Marley's timeless music and lyrics and based on the book by his daughter Cedella, Bob Marley's Three Little …

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