The first and oldest arts council in the nation is turning 75 — and you’re invited to the celebration.
With a long history of fostering the arts in Forsyth County that began Aug. 9. 1949, Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is marking their 75th anniversary with a yearlong series of events that aim to:
- Partner and collaborate with local artists, organizations + businesses to host monthly events and encourage broad participation and representation.
- Invite the community to join the fun, the cause, and the recognition of the arts’ massive presence and importance in Winston-Salem and beyond.
Psst: Arts Council is no stranger to being a driving force for the local arts — they held 670 events on their campus in 2023 alone, and welcomed 60,000 attendees to theatre, dance, comedy, music, visual arts, literary arts + more.
🎶 Kicking off this weekend
Ready to get the party started? The jubilee of 75th anniversary events kicks off this weekend with these two events:
Saturday, June 15 | 1-8 p.m. | Innovation Quarter, 575 Patterson Ave. | Free
- Hosted by Triad Cultural Arts, the Juneteenth Festival brings the community together to celebrate the significant contribution of African Americans to society and the arts. Enjoy a packed schedule with artisan merchandise, exhibits, kids activities, educational experiences, food trucks, and back-to-back live music + dance performances.
The Martha Bassett Show: Live at Tanglewood Park
Sunday, June 16 | 2-5 p.m. | Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Rd. | Free
- Part of Arts Council’s 9th Annual Parks Concert Series, this family-friendly outdoor concert features a live taping of The Martha Bassett Show, a weekly music program showcasing NC artists and culture as it ties to Americana roots. Guests include musicians Sonny Miles, The Onyx Club Boys, and Dori Freeman. Pro tip: This makes a great Father’s Day afternoon event.
👏 More events coming
Keep your eyes peeled on Arts Council’s 75th anniversary page for anniversary events happening throughout the year.
