December Issue 1999
Cultural Tourism Projects Get Boost from N.C. Arts Council
Cultural tourism projects across the state are getting a boost from the NC Arts Council, made possible by a one-time funding increase of $2 million from the NC General Assembly to the Council. Reps. Phil Baddour, D-Wayne, and Maggie Jeffus, D-Guilford. and Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, sponsored the legislation for the additional $2 million.
Cultural tourism is travel that is motivated entirely, or in part, by artistic, heritage or historical offerings. North Carolina's mosaic of places, traditions, celebrations and experiences promises the cultural tourist a unique experience, and the cultural tourist in turn offers the state potential for tremendous economic impact.
"Through cultural tourism initiatives, North Carolina's cultural resources can be identified and preserved, and when appropriate, developed and promoted," says Amy Brannock, arts and tourism director for the Council. "Our own citizens will enjoy increased access to the state's excellent cultural assets and will have a better understanding of their diverse and shared heritage. And the promotion of the state's contemporary arts and traditional cultural resources will stimulate sustainable economic growth."
Cultural tourism projects that received funding from the N.C. Arts Council include:
African American Cultural Tourism Project: development of African American cultural resources in the state to attract both domestic and international travelers. St. Joseph's Historic Foundation in Durham is lead agency and will receive $10,000 from the increase. This award is in addition to $10,000 granted in the initial funding process in May.
Blue Ridge Heritage Initiative: development of heritage trails to feature traditional music and Cherokee culture, to be both an economic development tool and means of conservation. The NC Folklife Institute will receive $80,000 to be used for the design, printing and distribution of promotional and marketing materials for the trails in western NC.
Eastern Heritage Initiative: expansion of a folklife survey and creation of a directory of tradition-bearers in 19 counties in eastern NC. The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum in Carteret County will be the lead agency and will receive $10,000 from the increase, in addition to $11,000 granted in the initial funding process.
North Carolina Crafts Trail: development of a guide for cultural tourists to places where they can learn a craft, buy crafts, see craftspersons at work or view craft exhibitions. The Penland School in Mitchell County is the lead agency for this $25,000 grant.
North Carolina Heritage, Inc.: support for a statewide service organization whose mission is to generate a long-term vision and leadership for heritage and cultural tourism. This grant is for $15,000 and is being matched by $15,000 from the Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
Summer Performing Arts Consortium: further development of a cultural tourism initiative by a consortium of 15 of the state's most popular cultural arts institutions whose programming takes place primarily in the summer. Brevard Music Center is the lead agency for this joint marketing project. It will receive $10,000 from the increase, in addition to $30,000 granted for this project in the initial funding process.
"As we approach the end of the 20th century, NC is known throughout the world for its pottery traditions, literary legacy, Southern Appalachian music traditions, jazz, blues and gospel heritage and its abundance of outstanding artists and arts institutions," says Mary B. Regan, executive director of the Council, "Along with our scenic beauty, we can be proud of our extraordinary cultural assets - some known worldwide and visited by many, and others well-kept secrets. We are delighted to support cultural tourism initiatives that bring our assets to public attention where that's desired and appropriate.
The NC Arts Council was established in 1967 as a division of the NC Department of Cultural Resources. Its mission is to enrich the cultural life of the state by nurturing and supporting excellence in the arts and by providing opportunities for every North Carolinian to experience the arts.
For additional information, contact Miriam
M. Sauls, communications director, at 919/733-2111 ext. 33 or
e-mail at (mnsauls@ncacmail.dcr.state.nc.us).
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