Arts NC State is out and about throughout the broader community–through performances, exhibitions, artist residencies, student travel opportunities, and more. Executive Director for the Arts, Rich Holly, explains why community outreach is so essential to Arts NC State’s mission.
You may have noticed that Arts NC State is everywhere–not just on campus but throughout the community. Maybe you saw the vertical dancers of BANDALOOP scale the walls of the Aloft Raleigh. Or you went to an NC State LIVE performance at Pour House. Or you noticed one of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design’s many collaborations with other museums throughout the region. Arts NC State is everywhere, living out NC State’s mission of serving the people of North Carolina.
Reaching out to the community is a key goal of Rich Holly, Executive Director for the Arts since 2015. “As a land-grant institution, we have an obligation to the citizens of the state. And here we are in this really vibrant area for the arts. My mind frequently goes to, ‘What else can we do?’ We are constantly looking for ways to increase our partnerships between the campus and the community.”
The result is more dynamic arts programs that give students more opportunities to engage with the arts on- and off-campus and provide community members with more ways to experience Arts NC State. And that increased outreach helps Arts NC State promote the idea that the arts are for everyone. “Arts NC State is guided by the belief that all of humanity needs the arts. The arts are fundamental to who we are as human beings.”
Rich goes on to encourage alumni and community members who are excited by Arts NC State’s increased outreach in the community to consider donating to Arts NC State on Day of Giving. “If alumni and community members like what we’re doing, they can make more opportunities possible with their support.”