50th Anniversary Celebration -- Annual Fall Gala

This online auction is sponsored by the Community Council for the Arts as part of its Annual Fall Gala. This non-profit organization is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. All proceeds benefit the Community Council for the Arts in Kinston, North Carolina.

The last bid during this on-line auction will be the opening bid for the Gala’s live auction the evening of October 10, 2015. Final bidding for items will occur on the evening of the Gala, October 10, 2015. For ticket information and more information on the Gala contact the Arts Center 252-527-2517.

General Gala Details: The Gala is Saturday, October 10, 2015, 7:00 p.m. – Until at the Kinston Country Club, 1501 Country Club Drive, Kinston, NC. The evening features a live auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and live entertainment. Black tie is optional. Advance tickets are $65 Members/ $75 Non-Members/ $80 at the door. The favor of a reply is requested for attendance.

Solicitation Statement: Financial information about this 501(c)(3) organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-807-2214. This license is not an endorsement by the State.

The Community Council for the Arts welcomes you to the auction for our Annual Fall Gala. We are continuing our celebration of 50 years of service to the artistic community and all residents of Kinston/Lenoir Co. and the surrounding region. Our service occurs both within our walls and throughout our community and extended region. We are one of three arts councils across the state working with counties contiguous to ours, assisting them with programs, grant writing and organization capacity building. We work with enrichment programs, public art enhancement projects, education opportunities, heritage and cultural tourism, artist development and promotion, and arts-driven economic development.

As a multi-faceted small business, we operate a premier 30,000 square foot historic property and offer facility and artist studio rental spaces, classes/workshops and summer camps, show works from more than 300 artists annually in our galleries, and operate a gift shop and membership services.

Ninety-five percent ( 95%) of our annual operating budget is funded through an annual campaign, rental fees, gift shop/gallery sales and fundraising events. We have been successful in grant writing efforts through the years, enabling us to work in our schools and community in enrichment and education programs, grow our public art program to the largest in North Carolina operated by an arts council, offer nationally acclaimed artists of all genre performances and exhibits, and engage in heritage and cultural projects such as being the hub of the 8-county African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina. These grants, however, do not help with day to day operating expenses, hence the need for events such as the Annual Fall Gala. We accomplish all of this with a small staff and an abundance of volunteers, a myriad of community partners and individual arts and cultural advocates like you. These combined efforts of many, along with your financial support in attending events, supporting fundraisers and annual membership, have sustained the Arts Council for the past 50 years and are paramount to future sustainability.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers of the Arts Council, we express our appreciation for your advocacy and investment in the arts and cultural life for all in our community. The arts are a driving force in our day to day lives and are core to our humanity. Your active support of the Arts Council is an investment in the quality of life you and your family enjoy and from which all citizens in Kinston/Lenoir Co. benefit.

Live Event is at Kinston Country Club, Kinston, NC. Enjoy live Entertainment, Heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages. The event will begin @ 7pm. Tickets are available in advance $65 member/$75 non-member; $80 at the door. The final on-line bid will the starting bid for the Live Auction. Payments for auction winnings will be collected at the end of the event unless other arrangements are made by the Director or Event Chair. All proceeds support Community Council for the Arts.