Arts Day 2026 - Triangle ArtWorks Team Reflections
On May 12 and 13th, the Triangle ArtWorks team came together to attend Arts Day 2026! Triangle ArtWorks attends Arts Day every year recognizing the importance of the advocacy and impact that Arts Day brings. On day 1, the organizers of Arts Day - Arts North Carolina - provided a day full of speakers and performances, teaching us all that we needed to know for our legislative meetings on day two as well as inspiring us with incredible art from artists across the state.
Arts North Carolina provided important information to prepare everyone for meeting with representatives and broke down the arts policy initiatives and appropriation requests for the next day. We also learned about arts funding and spending in North Carolina which you can view here.
“One of my favorite parts of ArtsDay is seeing all the arts administrators and artists in the Legislative Building. I think that, too often, artists are not part of that space and of those conversations. Sitting with a representative and speaking to them about the issues that effect us as artists and arts organizations feels like such a powerful way to make our voices heard. I would love to see the building filled with even more artists next year!”
- Cynthia Deis, artist and ArtSwell Education Director
It was two our our staff member’s first Arts Days! Jennifer Cruz Ciprian, Triangle Artworks Intern shared,
“I knew about some of the challenges in this field as an art student and artist, but attending Arts Day for the first time showed me how important it is to support one another. We were not competing for funding. We went together to advocate for the arts. Every person there carried a unique story about how the arts shaped their life, and shared a common hope that others can have access to those experiences too.”
Beth Yerxa, our fearless leader and founder of Triangle ArtWorks has regularly attended Arts Day.
"Ive had folks say they think that showing up at Arts Day isn't important, that it doesn't "move the needle". I totally disagree. When we are at the Legislature, we see people from other business sectors down their having their meetings too. Although some individual meetings may not change a vote, some certainly implant stories with the legislators that will stay in their heads - stories of how this money has a real impact in their counties. And we inform them about our issues, such as what A+ schools are and how arts funding in NC compares to other states (insert us vs. Alabama). But most important to me is simply that we are present. We need to show up just like all the people from other business sectors. Folks hear us in meetings, or walk by the tent and hear Lauralyn Dossett singing or the JAM musicians playing and stop and listen for a bit, and know "the arts are present". We simply have to be there. "
Showing up to Arts Day every year will always be an important priority for our team. Will we see you next year?
