Discover Raleigh Arts

Raleigh Arts Commission

The City of Raleigh Arts Commission, established in 1977, serves as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives.

The Commission proudly holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the City Council, the Commission is dedicated to the ongoing goal of connecting people to the arts and building a vital and ever-expanding creative community for Capital City residents and visitors.

A division of the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, the Commission's myriad activities foster, support and promote the arts by focusing on five key areas:

• Raleigh Arts Grants
• Raleigh Public Art Program (temporary and permanent artworks)
• Block Gallery Municipal Building Art Exhibitions and Block2 Street Video Series
• Awards programs including Medal of Arts, Artist of Tomorrow and Piedmont Laureate
• Community Outreach and Arts Resources (including workshops, public forums and web-based and print information).

Raleigh is in the midst of ongoing growth, and wonderful art of every type is being created for the public's enjoyment. We invite you to join us as we continue to shape the vision of transforming the "City of Oaks" into the "Creative Capital of the South."