SHARE Charlotte’s mission is to build a better Charlotte by EMPOWERING NONPROFITS AND HELPING PEOPLE INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES in ways that matter most to them.
The #1 use of our website, sharecharlotte. org is to find volunteer opportunities with our 740+ nonprofit partners that serve Mecklenburg County.
• Visual Arts & Empowering Artists SHARE Charlotte ARTS & CULTURE NONPROFIT DIGITAL GUIDE
Charlotte’s arts and culture nonprofits weave a vibrant and diverse tapestry of creativity throughout our community, offering an expansive array of artistic and cultural experiences
• Arts Programming for Underserved Youth
• Theater, Literature & Film
• Museums
• Music and Dance
SHARE Charlotte in partnership with Charlotte is Creative a local nonprofit dedicated to sparking engaging connections between Charlotte’s artists, creative entrepreneurs and established business community to help them boost opportunity, livability and success by working together.
Arts and culture nonprofits offer significant benefits to individuals, communities, and society as a whole and serve various social, economic, and educational purposes. Key benefits include:
1. PRESERVATION
OF CULTURAL
HERITAGE - Arts and culture nonprofits help preserve and promote cultural traditions, historical knowledge, and artistic heritage. By maintaining museums, historical sites, and collections, they ensure that future generations have access to important cultural legacies.
2. ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE -
Exposure to the arts has been shown to improve well-being, reduce stress, and increase community pride. Cultural nonprofits foster creativity and provide individuals with meaningful experiences that enrich everyday life, bringing people together through music, theater, visual arts, and cultural events.
3. ECONOMIC IMPACT -
Arts and culture nonprofits often play a critical role in local economies. They attract tourism, support job creation, and stimulate spending in surrounding areas. For example, theater performances, exhibitions, and festivals draw in visitors who spend money on tickets, dining, and accommodations, contributing to local economic growth.
4. FOSTERING SOCIAL
COHESION
These organizations create spaces for diverse voices and communities to come together. They promote inclusion and foster understanding by encouraging dialogue around important social and cultural issues. Nonprofits often lead initiatives focused on social justice, diversity, and community engagement, creating opportunities for marginalized groups to share their stories.
5. EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING -
Many arts and culture nonprofits provide educational programs that teach critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Museums, theaters, and galleries offer workshops, tours, and programs for students of all ages, creating lifelong learning opportunities and fostering curiosity.
6. ADVOCACY FOR ARTISTS AND CREATORS - Nonprofits in the arts provide essential platforms for emerging and established artists, giving them opportunities to showcase their work and connect with wider audiences. They often provide grants, residencies, and other support to ensure that artists can continue to create in a sustainable way.
7.
STRENGTHENING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT -
Arts and culture nonprofits play a role in encouraging civic engagement and community participation. Through performances, public art, and cultural festivals, they provide spaces where people can gather, exchange ideas, and discuss societal challenges. This contributes to a vibrant public sphere and active civic life.
8. MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH -
The arts offer therapeutic benefits, helping individuals express emotions, cope with stress, and find healing. Many nonprofits provide art therapy programs or communitybased art activities that support mental health, especially in underserved populations.
9.
ENCOURAGING INNOVATION AND CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING -
The arts encourage creative thinking, a skill that’s increasingly valuable in many sectors of society. Through experimentation and exploration in the arts, people learn to think in new ways, which can influence innovation in areas such as business, technology, and education.
Arts and culture nonprofits not only enrich individuals and communities through creative expression but also generate broader economic, educational, and social benefits that contribute to a more cohesive and vibrant Charlotte.
MISSION:
Charlotte Is Cretaive (CIC) is a non-profit that offers a host of programs designed to strengthen the Charlotte region’s creative community. CIC works to encourage creatives to function more effectively as small businesses and to encourage the public and private sector to hire and support them not only for their contribution to our community’s quality of life and reputation, but also our economic strength. CIC is committed to convening individual creatives and both established and grassroots arts nonprofits for collaboration.
We spark surprising and engaging connections between Charlotte’s artists, creative entrepreneurs and established business community to help them boost opportunity, livability and success by working together.
VISION:
We want Charlotte to be known as the most welcoming and supportive community in the country for artists, innovators and creative entrepreneurs.
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Charlotte Is Creative (CIC) provides resources – funding, paid projects, training, promotion, social capital exchange and advocacy – for creatives, performers, artists and makers working to earn some or all of their annual income through their creative talents.
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL CAPITAL
• CreativeMornings/Charlotte
• Makers & Creators
• Coffee With Creatives
• Queen City Quiz Show
• OneBand
FUNDING & GRANT MANAGEMENT
• $250 H.U.G. Microgrants & Granted Artist Workspace
• Creative Corps Project Management Services
• Consultation & Management of Art Calls and Outside Grant Offerings
PROMOTION & MARKETING
• The Biscuit Media Channel
• Media Partnerships
• The Creative Compass Database
KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING
• Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative
• Creative Convos Online Classes
• Power Panel Symposiums
• Charlotte Reciprocity Circles Social Capital Exchange
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
CIC is always looking for volunteers to help put on CreativeMornings/Charlotte the first friday of every month, as well as for Charlotte Reciprocity Circles and Creative Convos.
CIC’s greatest need is for subject matter experts from the regional business community who can offer their advice, counsel and expertise to creatives looking to build their business. Volunteers can teach a Creative Convo class or the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative. Volunteers can also serve as panelists on a free Power Panel seminar or act as mentors to a local creative with specific business needs through Charlotte Reciprocity Circles or the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative.
CIC also accepts donations in any amount for their H.U.G. (Helpful Unfettered Gift) micro-grant program. Each month, CIC donates 6-8 $250 H.U.G.s to remove one obstacle to success for a creative project. To date, more than 400 H.U.G.s have been awarded.
Showcasing local artists small businesses while equipping them to achieve sustainable success, while simultaneously making art accessible to all in the region.
Arts+ is a community organization dedicated to connecting children, adults, and families to high-quality and accessible visual art and music education.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate and/or sign-up for programs
Charlotte based contemporary dance company and nonprofit organization Baran Dance blends bold physicality with thoughtful artistry through performances, mentorship, and collaboration.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Attend our annual Fright Night Fundraiser: Wednesday, October 30th at The Long Room. Join our mailing list, donate and follow Baran Dance - www.baran.dance
CONTACT: Audrey Baran, audipapo@gmail.com
BREATHEINK
BreatheINK is a youth poetry nonprofit organization seeking to create cultural and educational equity for underserved youth through poetic arts programming.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
BreatheINK constantly seeks donations of $250-$750 to fund one to three day poetry workshops and residencies in Title I schools and communities/corridors of need throughout Mecklenburg County.
CONTACT: Terry Creech, terry@breatheink.org
CAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Our mission at Cain Center for the Arts is to provide exceptional visual arts, performing arts, and social experiences to the Lake Norman Region
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Visit our profile at sharecharlotte.org
CONTACT: Amanda Sloan, asloan@cainarts.org
CHARLOTTE AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE COLLECTIVE
We create an inclusive community that embraces everyone who share a love and passion for African drumming, dance and culture.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We host weekly West African Dance Classes for youth and adults on Sundays at 3 and 4:30. Come to our Kwanzaa Event on Dec. 31, 2024, at the Movement School Charlotte.
CONTACT: Karen Phelps, info@caddc.org
CHARLOTTE BALLET
Through dance, we create authentic connections, engaging and inclusive educational opportunities, and transformative experiences.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend a performance!
CONTACT: Alysha Brown, abrown@charlotteballet.org
CHARLOTTE CIRQUE & DANCE CENTER
The Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people of diverse backgrounds to explore beyond their boundaries through dance and circus arts.
The Charlotte Film Society owns and operates The Independent Picture House, Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema. IPH’s mission is to educate, engage, and enable the community through the power of film; providing a choice to the average moviegoer.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Charlotte Film Festival, September 24 - 29
CONTACT: Claire Lechtenberg, claire@iphclt.org
CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Charlotte Museum of History saves and shares the Charlotte region’s history, connecting the past to current issues and opportunities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We are always looking for volunteers and new museum members! We put on a wide variety of programs that cover different areas of history and culture. We also have started public advocacy for ourselves to be funded on par with our peer museums, so contacting your local government representatives to encourage them to fiscally support the museum would be super helpful as well.
CONTACT: Terri White, terri@charlottemuseum.org
CHARLOTTE NEW MUSIC
Charlotte New Music promotes the creation, performance, access, education, and opportunities in contemporary and original music in Charlotte, NC area and beyond.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Get involved, or make a tax-deductible donation for a new youth chorus, or get on our email list to know about future festivals, concerts, & workshops!
CONTACT: Elizabeth Kowalski, elizabeth@charlottenewmusic.org
CHARLOTTE STREET ART COLLABORATIVE
Our mission is to assist artists in attaining & maintaining a sustainable living in the arts via free to low cost events & workshops where the artists get paid & vending is free.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Join us at CLT Edgefest at NoDa Brewing on July 13th from 3-9 for a one of a kind free festival with live paints by your favorite local mural artists, DJ, music & dance performances, spoken word, yoga, interactive art experiences, food & beverage vendors, & so much more! In order to keep the festival accessible via free tix & free vending, while paying the talented artists for the phenomenally healing work they do we need your help! Weather that’s by donating time, money, or resources all are welcomed & appreciated from the depths of our hearts.
One of the premier music organizations in the Southeastern United States and the oldest operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) connects with more than 130,000 music lovers each year through its lively season of concerts, broadcasts, community events, and robust educational programs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
There are dozens of ways to be involved in our music making! Our upcoming 2024 Annual Gala on October 9. Join us for one of our exciting 2024/25 season concerts at Belk or Knight Theater. There are also dozens of ways to volunteer and assist us in providing critical arts education opportunities to the next generation!
CineOdyssey Animation Festival celebrates and promotes the diverse voices and creative talents of filmmakers of color by showcasing their innovative and impactful animated works.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Attend the festival, volunteer, foster a supportive environment for local animators and filmmakers
CONTACT: Tre’ McGriff, tre@cineodysseyfest.org
JAZZARTS CHARLOTTE
JazzArts Charlotte connects the cultural community and develops an audience for jazz through quality education, performance excellence, and musician support.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
JAZZ ROOM presents: The Pedrito Martinez Group. Plus, Your gift of $100 helps provide students with unique opportunities to learn jazz and create life skills through music education.
Our mission is to empower youth from economically disadvantaged communities with the education and hands on experience needed to pursue careers in music and the arts.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Financial donation to our “Adopt A Scholar” Fund
A non-profit theatre company that strives to make the performing arts accessible to any local child, teen, and adult regardless of their experience, background, physical ability or circumstance. For nearly 30 years, we have worked to achieve this through robust educational programming, community outreach, scholarship opportunities and thought-provoking productions created to entertain and inspire local audiences.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Come to one of our upcoming performances, make a monetary donation, volunteer, or participate in one of our educational programs.
We are a Latine-led multi-disciplinary art collective and gallery.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
The community is welcome to visit our gallery, located in the Visual and Performing Arts Center (VAPA) and learn more about our work. On. Saturday, Sept 28, we will be hosting the closing for Héctor Vaca Cruz’s solo photography show. We invite all Latine creatives to become members of OBRA Collective.
CONTACT: Héctor Vaca Cruz, hvcphoto@gmail.com
OPERA CAROLINA
Opera Carolina’s mission is to serve the community by enriching audiences of all ages and backgrounds, engaging and advancing the careers of artists, and embracing and reflecting cultural diversity.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We are looking for volunteer readers to help us with our Musical Storytime performances in libraries and looking to connect with more students and families to offer our free educational performance opportunities to make a larger impact in our community.
CONTACT: Ashley Johnson Lam, ashley@operacarolina.org
PLANET IMPROV
Planet Improv empowers resilience in students through creativity.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Donations, referrals and collaborations are always welcomed.
CONTACT: Scott Pacitti, scott@planetimprov.com
QUE-OS/ BOOM CHARLOTTE
BOOM Charlotte is an artist-led contemporary performing arts festival that believes in the explosive power of art to unite and strengthen our community.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We are always looking to connect with new donors and audiences, in this moment we are specifically looking to build our volunteer base. Our big annual festival is in April each year, but we have several exciting events coming up: Sept. 28th Fall Fest in collaboration with OurBRIDGE for KIDS and CIAF, Oct. 16th BOOM @ Birdsong event featuring a Fringe performance.
CONTACT: Camerin Watson, queoscharlotte@gmail.com
RA ARTS FOR ALL
Lifting our communities with accessible art experiences in music, art, & theatre.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Donate & volunteer in our gallery
CONTACT: Robin Stockton, raarts4all@gmail.com
THE ARTS EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
Our organization uses the transformative power of the arts as a vehicle to help vulnerable youth break the cycles of violence and trauma by providing experiences which broaden horizons, foster resilience, and build essential life skills.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Our Annual SHINE Fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Mint Museum Uptown. We welcome individual and corporate sponsorship support, guests, and donations. Tickets are on sale now!
The Lotus Project is an inclusive arts education/production company using the performing and visual arts as a vehicle for self empowerment and community advocacy, through shows, camps, workshops, in school residencies, and touring productions.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Visit our profile at sharecharlotte.org
CONTACT: Susan Cherin, susan@thelotusprojectnc.com
THEATRE CHARLOTTE
Theatre Charlotte has been creating outstanding local theatre for nearly 100 years with award-winning productions and opportunities for everyone to get involved in the magic of theatre.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We invite you to join us for Season 97 with shows including 1984, A Christmas Carol, The Play That Goes Wrong, Violet, and Stick Fly. Join us in the audience with tickets or a season pass, audition to join us on stage, or support our programs by making a donation. We are also launching The Penguin Project, a program to empower young artists with special needs through theatre. Opportunities to get involved with this program can be found at theatrecharlotte.org/penguin.
Three Bone Theatre is Charlotte’s home for the best of adult contemporary theatre. We believe great theatre is a catalyst for conversation and change in our community!
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate & volunteer in our gallery
CONTACT: Robin Tynes-Miller, robin@threebonetheatre.com
TOSCO MUSIC
Tosco Music supports musicians, provides access to music, and builds community through music.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend and/or volunteer at FabFest - Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
CONTACT: John Tosco, john@toscomusic.org
UPCYCLE ARTS
Upcycle Arts collaborates with Charlotte’s local businesses, manufacturers, and individuals to divert their materials from the landfill for use in new ways such as mixed media arts.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Donate & volunteer in our gallery
CONTACT: Angela Kollmer, info@upcycleartsclt.org
SHARE Charlotte ARTS & CULTURE NONPROFIT DIGITAL GUIDE
