Arts Council Produced Activities & Descriptions
Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) ProgramJAM is offered as an after-school program for grades 4-8. Students learn old-time mountain music in traditional ways at lessons held each Tuesday from 3:30pm - 5:00pm at Canton Middle School in Canton. JAM lessons are taught by Barry Benjamin, guitar; Michael Pilgrim, guitar; Robby Robertson, string band class; Travis Stuart, banjo; and, Trevor Stuart, fiddle.
Children learn discipline and commitment as they practice at home and attend lessons throughout the year. They gain confidence by achieving personal and class goals, playing in unison with others in instrument class, and eventually learning how to take cues from other musicians in real-life “jam” sessions.
Yearly Events and Programs Guide
An annual list of all arts council presented events.
Arts In The Schools
A collaboration with the Haywood County School System, private schools, and home-school associations to enhance educational opportunities through visual and performing artists. Programs have included Flamenco Vivo, Johnette Downing, the Atlanta Ballet, Michael Beadle, John and Kathy Sills, Seona McDowell, the African American Dance Ensemble, Shakespeare To Go, plus many others.
Fundraising Program
The arts council’s annual campaign to raise the funds necessary to carry on the programs and operations of the arts council year-round; the program includes direct requests, mailings, sponsorship program, grant writing, parties & events.
Grants Program
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) is a Designated County Partner (DCP) and has been nominated by the Haywood County board of commissioners and approved by the North Carolina Arts Council to receive and administer grassroots funds. With the assistance and support of the North Carolina Arts Council, the Haywood County Arts Council has an important role in sustaining, growing, and advocating for the arts in Haywood County. HCAC administers the Grassroots Arts Program in accordance with current guidelines,
policies and requirements outlined by the North Carolina Arts Council. Haywood County Arts Council is familiar with the arts and cultural resources in the county—including arts organizations, professional and accomplished artists, and arts and cultural traditions of the region. As an advocate for the arts in our community, Haywood County Arts Council develops partnerships with county governments, schools, city revitalization boards, economic development councils, chambers of commerce and tourism bureaus. These partnerships are often the catalyst for sustainable economic and community development using the arts, and can lead to programs that connect diverse parts of the county through shared arts experiences.
We also seek grants for specific projects from other sources such as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, South Arts and other grants-making entities. Haywood County Arts Council regrants over half the money it receives from the North Carolina Arts Council in Grassroots funds. These grant monies are then used by others for various arts programming and events throughout the county. For 2010-2011Grassroots subgrant recipients include: Voices in the Laurel Children's Chorus, Haywood Community Band, Haywood Community Chorus, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, Tuscola High School, Central Elementary School, the Fines Creek Community Association, and the Downtown Waynesville Association.
International Festival Day
The ultimate cultural exchange—juried international and regional artwork, international cuisine, international dance and music from Folkmoot USA, and regional music and dance. Passport to the Arts children’s area where kids “visit” foreign countries, create indigenous crafts and get their passport stamped. Presented by the Haywood County Arts Council.
Gallery 86
A vital art gallery featuring local & regional visual artists on display at 86 North Main Street, Waynesville.
HCAC Monthly Calendar of Events
A monthly electronic communication with information about upcoming arts council events, programs and opportunities. Sign up through our website or by emailing the office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . .
Office Activities
Financial management & bookkeeping, publicity, marketing, information & resource center, grant writing & administration, sponsorship development, contracts, negotiation, production & ticket sales for events, board & committee facilitation, database management, etc.
The Student’s Recital
An annual spring concert recital of Haywood County music students; an opportunity for children to play on a world class Steinway concert grand piano and on a professional stage at the Performing Arts Center.
Sunday Concert Series
A concert series once a month in the Waynesville Public Library Auditorium featuring some of the region’s (& sometimes the world’s) leading performers. A small, intimate acoustic setting which is free to the public.
Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival
A world class summer chamber music concert series. The musicians are in residency at Warren Wilson College for five weeks and come to Waynesville to present five chamber music concerts.
The Piano Series
Concerts throughout the year showcasing the arts council’s Steinway concert grand piano housed at the Performing Arts Center. Talent ranges from local treasures to international touring stars such as Konstantin Soukhovetski and Vassily Primakov.
Web Site and Social Media
Our connection to the world and cyberspace ... website (www.haywoodarts.org) features calendar of events, programs, gallery exhibitions, information on artists, contact information, and more.
"Like" us on Facebook to find out about the latest happenings with the Haywood County Arts Council. Click here to visit our Facebook page.
