by Jim Sparrow

Our region is growing.  The growth of Kernersville is a great example.  As we grow as a region the importance of supporting and encouraging the development of arts and culture is not only important, but essential.  This support allows for the continued ability to compete as a great place to live, work, and play; which is something that has contributed to Kernersville’s success.  Often, regions become overshadowed by their largest cities.  They tend to dominate the landscape and headlines, and for some things this is understandable.  Dynamic regions become better options the more diverse the choices.  Not everyone wants to live in the same kind of neighborhood, town, rural landscape, or urban environment.  Each of these components and choices need to provide depth for those who live there.  Depth of services and opportunity add to the enjoyment of whichever environment is chosen.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County understands this and is making strides to support opportunities for enrichment throughout the county and specifically in Kernersville.  Our mission is to help support, coordinate, convene, and develop arts experiences and opportunities.  We have served the county for a number of years through our educational grants.  These are used by the public school system to bring in a variety of arts and cultural experiences allowing the arts to touch over 43,000 kids annually in Forsyth County.  We have also provided funding support for Kernersville Little Theatre, helping community theatre remain a foundation to life in Kernersville.  We will soon help provide even greater access to free programming in the county by coordinating and promoting arts series’ in Triad and Tanglewood Parks, with Triad having a direct benefit to Kernersville and Tanglewood to Clemmons.  Programming brings families and activity together for a summer evening.  This might include seeing a film as part of a summer film series or a local band series that features Saturday evening music during one of the summer or fall months.  Perhaps even a chance to see a play or musical under the stars.  We will be putting together those specifics this summer so stay tuned and visit our website for more information.  This programming will do more than benefit these two communities, but will bring the county options for everyone to be reached and experience the arts.

Moving forward, the Arts Council will be launching initiatives that bring art to unexpected places, provide opportunities for children to benefit from the arts before they start traditional school, as well as afterschool.  We will also look to encourage entrepreneurial thinking and creative business development and public art, both permanent and temporary.  While some of this will take place in downtown Winston-Salem, much of it will happen in Kernersville, Clemmons, and the rest of the county.  We are a region of arts, with deep heritage, experiences, and culture.  Helping to encourage, develop, and sustain this will benefit everyone.

As Kernersville continues to develop, the Arts Council will seek to ensure that the arts are a vital part of that growth and opportunity.  So visit our website at IntoTheArts.org to learn more about us and what is happening all around the county, as well as Kernersville and surrounding communities.