Wilson Arts distributed $28,203 in Grassroots Arts Subgrant Awards for the 2025/2026 fiscal year to organizations that use the arts to further their missions in the Wilson County community. A total of $38,281 was requested from 8 organizations.
Congratulations to the following organizations for their outstanding work and contributions to the arts!
Casa Azul de Wilson - $6,000
Casa Azul de Wilson is proud to present the fifth annual Me Siento Muy Excited Festival—a vibrant celebration of Latino culture, art, and community that has quickly become one of the most anticipated cultural events in Eastern North Carolina. The festival aims to elevate Latino visibility and provide a culturally affirming space in Wilson through art installations, live music, cultural contests, and traditional cuisine, fostering unity and pride among more than 3,000 anticipated attendees.
Eyes on Main Street - $3,240.60
Eyes on Main Street will present four lecture series led by international photographers as part of its 2026 Photography Workshops — a program now in its 11th year. Each lecture, attended by 60–80 participants, offers free, high-quality education that exposes the Wilson community to global perspectives while deepening appreciation for their own. The workshops inspire young local photographers, and participating artists will be selected from among 100 new photographers featured in the 12th edition of the Eyes on Main Street exhibition, debuting in Wilson in May 2026.
Foundation YMCA of Wilson (Y-Gig) - $3,240.60
The Y-GIG after-school program at Wilson’s Foundation YMCA serves middle school students through a wide range of academic, arts, health, and STEM activities designed to foster curiosity and lifelong learning. The program provides free transportation and scholarships to ensure accessibility for all Wilson County students. Each year, Y-GIG offers 48 arts programs — including sewing, painting, jewelry making, and sculpting — and serves more than 300 middle schoolers. With a focus on social and emotional learning, Y-GIG partners with local artists to provide diverse creative experiences and hosts public showcases to celebrate student achievements.
Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and African-American Museum- $3,240.60
The Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and African American Museum’s mission is to preserve and promote African American history, art, and culture through engaging programs. This year, the museum will present a new series showcasing diverse musical genres performed by North Carolina artists. With more than 200 attendees expected each weekend, the program aims to foster greater understanding and appreciation of African American contributions to society while strengthening community unity.
Playhouse of Wilson - $4,240.60
Playhouse of Wilson presented Company in November 2025 and will Bridges of Madison County in May 2026, both musicals, as well as the play Little Women coming this March to the Kennedy Family Theater at Barton College. Each production will feature a diverse cast and crew, with musical talent also reflecting Wilson County’s cultural richness. The project aims to promote inclusivity and representation across all aspects of the shows, from casting and production staff to audience engagement.
The Spot - $5,000
“The Art of Readers Theater” is a community-based theatrical initiative that empowers SPOT participants to share their stories, explore social issues, and collaborate with multicultural artists. Through weekly sessions, workshops, and performances, the project fosters empathy, creativity, and community connection. Approximately 75–100 youth, ages 5–15, from Wilson’s diverse schools will participate, with targeted outreach to African American, Latina, Asian, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Family engagement events are expected to reach an additional 50–75 friends, educators, and community members.
Imagination Station Science & History Museum - $3,240.60
The Imagination Station Science & History Museum will launch Community Art in Motion, a series of four collaborative art projects led by local artists working alongside the Wilson community. Visitors will be invited to contribute to hands-on art making during ArtSpin events, resulting in temporary installations in the museum’s lobby four times a year. The works celebrate Wilson’s cultural heritage, environment, community resilience, and future aspirations, reflecting the county’s racial, cultural, and generational diversity. The initiative provides free public access to art and supports four local artists, engaging hundreds of participants across Wilson County.
This funding is provided by the North Carolina Arts Council: A division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Congratulations to all the recipients! Wilson Arts facilitates this grant distribution annually in Wilson County, with applications typically due in late Summer.
Grassroots Arts Project Grants are made possible by the North Carolina Arts Council and dispersed to each county by their local arts council. Non-profit organizations who implement arts projects in Wilson County may apply for the Grassroots Arts Project Grant.
Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. The program distributes funds for the arts in all 100 counties of the state primarily through partnerships with local arts councils. Wilson Arts serves as the North Carolina Arts Council’s partner in awarding subgrants to local organizations for arts programs in Wilson County.
Eligibility for Application
- All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year, and must be a 501(c)3 non profit organization.
- All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Wilson County.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds.
- Application and support materials must be complete and received by the due date.
Project Period & Deadlines
Project Period: July 1, 2025 - June 15, 2026
Optional Workshop: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Application Deadline: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (Extended from Sept. 5)
Subgrant Report Due: Friday, May 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
What the Grant will Fund
• Program expenses for projects of high artistic merit including artist fees and travel, space
rental, marketing, advertising, costumes, sets, props, and equipment rental.
• Limited operating expenses for arts organizations only.
Examples of arts programs that are commonly supported with Grassroots funds are:
• Performances
• Festivals
• Art exhibitions
• Arts camps and after-school programs
• Artist residencies for K-12 schools
• Artist fees for classes and workshops
• Marketing expenses for art walks and studio tours
• Royalties, props, sets, and costumes for theater performances
• Equipment rental for arts programming
• Space rental for arts programming
What the grant will not fund
• Individual applicants
• Prizes, competitions, scholarships, tuition, or financial awards
• Art supplies or equipment purchases
• Fundraising events
• Purchase of artwork
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• Capital expenditures
• Internal school programs such as band activities or equipment or choral activities
• Oral history and history projects
• Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs
Optional Workshop
Wilson Arts will host a Grassroots Subgrant Workshop on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wilson Arts Center, 204 Nash Street S, Wilson, NC 27893. A virtual option will also be available. Please RSVP by emailing acw@wilsonarts.com. New applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.
North Carolina Arts Council Recognition
Subgrantees must acknowledge the North Carolina Arts Council’s support of their event or projects by including the North Carolina Arts Council’s logo, and funding credit line in all print and promotional materials related to the grant. The North Carolina Arts Council’s website offers information and downloadable logos at www.ncarts.org.
Reporting Requirements
Each subgrantee is required to submit a final report providing a detailed description of the funded project, participation statistics and demographics, sample marketing and program materials using the North Carolina Arts Council credit line and logo, and copies of their legislative letters. The Subgrant Report form can be downloaded from the North Carolina Arts Council website at www.ncarts.org. Final reports must be filled out online at Wilson Arts Center, 204 Nash Street S, Wilson, NC 27893 by May 29, 2026.
Questions and Assistance
If applicants have questions or need assistance, please contact Cathy Hardison at (252) 291-4329 or acw@wilsonarts.com