ArtsGreensboro today announced that it surpassed its $1 million June 30 campaign target for its 2017 community-wide Artsfund Campaign – Guilford County’s largest comprehensive annual fundraising effort to support arts organizations, initiatives, and critical infrastructure.
The preliminary campaign report shows $1,011,978 was raised by June 30 through contributions from individuals, foundations, local and state government, as well as contributions from businesses and corporations – including a commitment from Bank of America, which put the campaign over the $1 million mark on the final day of the campaign. The campaign results also represent a healthy increase of about 8.5% over last year’s total.
“Arts and culture add great value to our community,” noted Tom Philion, President & CEO of ArtsGreensboro – the city’s arts council and community catalyst. “Not only do they engage, inspire, entertain and connect us – arts & culture are also an economic engine for our community, with an incredible return on investment, both socially and economically.”
Just three weeks ago, ArtsGreensboro released new economic impact data as part of a national study conducted by Americans for the Arts. The report shows that arts & culture in Guilford County are now a $162 million-a-year industry, supporting nearly 6,000 FTE jobs across the county.
Since the arts council’s inception, it has awarded more than $22 million in grants to arts organizations, projects, teachers and artists across Guilford County – from supporting productions at Triad Stage and world-class music at the Eastern Music Festival – to the creation of the inspiring Peacehaven Sensory Space in Greensboro’s LeBauer Park, which connects children of all abilities.
“We are grateful to live in a generous community where so many people appreciate the role the arts play in education, economic development and connecting the community,” said ArtsGreensboro board member Denny Kelly, Chair of the 2017 Campaign. “Hitting our target means ArtsGreensboro will continue to support the work of so many creatives who work to transform our community, making it a vibrant and healthy place to live. ArtsGreensboro thanks the more than a thousand donors who made it happen this year.”
