SECU Foundation Grants $300,000 to Expand North Carolina Museum of Art’s Artist Innovation Mentorship Program for Rural and Underserved Youth
The North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation has received significant support from the SECU Foundation to expand its Artist Innovation Mentorship (AIM) program. This initiative is designed to provide middle school youth in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina with access to art education and mentorship.
The SECU Foundation has announced a $300,000 grant to the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, which will enable the AIM program to reach 1,200 youth annually by 2028, serving 50 counties across the state. This expansion builds on the success of the pilot phase, which was established in 2021 and provided over 12,700 hours of learning to more than 350 students.
The AIM program connects local artists from universities, community colleges, fellowships, and art organizations with students to provide positive role models and foster creative thinking strategies through artmaking. The students’ work is featured in local community galleries, parades, and exhibitions, offering them a platform to showcase their talents and build confidence.
SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell expressed her organization’s commitment to supporting arts education, stating, “We are pleased to support the expansion of the Artist Innovation Mentorship program and the work that is benefiting so many of our North Carolina youth. This program is another example of NCMA’s outstanding art education outreach and speaks to the broader impact this program can make in school districts and communities that have limited resources for arts education.”
Dr. Valerie Hillings, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Museum of Art, expressed her gratitude for the SECU Foundation’s support, saying, “It is an honor for the North Carolina Museum of Art and our Artist Innovation Mentorship program to have a place among the other incredible projects the SECU Foundation funds, and that vote of confidence in the work we are doing is greatly appreciated. We are incredibly thankful to have SECU Foundation’s support and are excited to put grant funds to work bringing AIM to more communities across North Carolina.”
The North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation’s AIM program aligns with the broader efforts of the North Carolina Arts Council, which has also been investing in arts education and community outreach initiatives. The North Carolina Arts Council recently announced $11.5 million in grant awards for Fiscal Year 2024-25, supporting nonprofit arts organizations, schools, after-school programs, municipalities, and artists in all 100 counties[1].
The SECU Foundation’s grant to the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation underscores the importance of arts education and community engagement in North Carolina. By supporting programs like AIM, the SECU Foundation is helping to ensure that young people across the state have access to the transformative power of the arts, regardless of their background or location.
This initiative also reflects the North Carolina Arts Council’s emphasis on community outreach and audience engagement, as well as its commitment to improving organizational capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. The Arts Council’s funding priorities include connecting K-12 students with artists in a range of disciplines, fostering public-private partnerships, and providing outreach to military service members, veterans, and their families[1].
The expansion of the AIM program, supported by the SECU Foundation, is a significant step forward in promoting arts education and community engagement in North Carolina. By leveraging the resources and expertise of local artists and art organizations, the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation is helping to create a more vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem that benefits young people and communities across the state.