News From The United Arts Council James Barnhill Wins Award and more!

[V Jones]

The UAC Aims High ~ Dreams Big
Greensboro, NC - October 13, 2009 - The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) presented a report to the community at their annual meeting on Tuesday, October 13th at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro. UAC President and CEO, Jeanie Duncan addressed more than 150 attendees on the impact of the arts in our community and the Council's accomplishments of the last year. The Betty Cone Medal of Arts Award was presented to Greensboro artist James Barnhill and the Al Jones Volunteer of the Year Award to Louise Smith. Guest speakers Nathan Street, Arts Education Curriculum Specialist for Guilford County Schools, and Mylene Duffy, Owner, President and CEO of Dynamics Advertising Company, connected the UAC's focus on education and diversity with the new strategic plan and investment model. UAC Board Chair and Executive Director for Action Greensboro, April Harris, rounded out the presentation with an overview of the Council's future plans which include efforts to increase support for the Council by reaching larger audiences, collaborate with the City to establish a Public Art Commission and serve the community as an arts resource. Logie Meachum, local artist, musician and storyteller, emceed the event.

The UAC reported that FY 2009 investments in Greater Greensboro totaled $1,511,756; 64 percent funded grant investment programs, 26 percent was invested in services such as marketing and promotion, and 10 percent for administration. FY 2009 revenue for the Council totaled $1,449,814 with 50 percent from businesses/foundations, 25 percent from individuals, 17 percent from government sectors and 8 percent as gifts-in-kind.

Highlights for FY 2009 included:
Investing over $1.5 million in Greensboro through services and grants
Approximately 569,150 individual encounters with the arts in Greater Greensboro through UAC investments to organizations, artists, and schools as well as public art, marketing sponsorship of ArtBeat, Festival of Lights, Fun Fourth, First Friday, Entrepreneurship for Creatives and more.
Investments in 45 organizations, artists and schools
Creation and adoption by City Council of An Action Plan for Greensboro's Public Art Program
Installation of two new public works of art: "Moving Ahead," on the Greene Street Parking Deck and the "Coffee Cup Collaborative" in downtown Greensboro
Growing and sustaining First Friday as a showcase of Greensboro's creative community with partner, Downtown Greensboro Inc.
Encouraging growth of new businesses with the Entrepreneurship for Creatives workshop series
Advocating for the arts locally and at the state level

"Despite the economic circumstances in 2009, the United Arts Council made a significant contribution to Greensboro's local economy and the well being of our residents. With our new investment model in place, we are already seeing an increase in the number of people served through UAC investments, with figures at an estimated 688,620 individual encounters with the arts projected for FY 2010. This is exciting news as we work to increase our donor base and the our investment in Greensboro's creative community," said UAC President/CEO Jeanie Duncan.

The program also included the presentation of the Betty Cone Medal of Arts, a UAC award which recognized James Barnhill, a Greensboro artist who has achieved clear excellence in his career as a sculptor, making an extraordinary contribution through his artistry and expertise. Barnhill is an assistant professor of art at North Carolina A&T State University. His prestigious work includes, "General Nathaniel Greene" at Holliday Circle in downtown Greensboro, "February One" depicting the Greensboro Four on the campus of NC A&T State University, and "Minerva" on the UNC-Greensboro campus. Barnhill's work is on display throughout the state and beyond. He is a native of Asheville and received his Master of Fine Arts from UNC-Greensboro under the study of the late Peter Agostini. He works from the live model, sculpting in the round and in relief. The UAC received 22 nominations for this year's award. Preston Lane received the award in 2008.

The Al Jones Volunteer of the Year Award was also presented to volunteer Louise Smith for her outstanding service and dedication to the arts in Greensboro. Smith is originally from Pennsylvania and came to Greensboro in 1990. She received her masters from UNC-Greensboro. After retiring from her nursing career, Smith dedicated her time to serving the arts as well as Urban Ministries, Greensboro Interfaith Hospitality Network, her church and the League of Women Voters in the Piedmont Triad.


The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro Invests In Our Creative Community. Our mission is to inspire growth of creative expression in our community by providing strategic and financial leadership to arts organizations, artists and educators that enhances quality of life and cultivates economic vitality and educational engagement with the Arts.
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For more information, contact Altina Layman
336.373.7523, extension 242
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