On August 27th, in the lobby of the recently renovated Carolina Theatre, ASC staff gathered with some of the program providers who have been on this journey since the early years of Culture Blocks. Together, and alongside area cultural leaders and some of our most engaged community members, we shared a night to remember.   

Groups like the Queen City Robotics Alliance, Fiestas Patrias, and the Charlotte Film Society came together in fellowship at the Charlotte area’s premier marquee theatre, a setting with a rich history of community-centered programming. Today, the Culture Blocks program continues that tradition by working alongside Charlotte-Mecklenburg to help build the next generation of not only artists and creatives, but also engaged citizens and community leaders. 

ASC launched the Culture Blocks program in 2015, after studying data from Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s 2013 Quality of Life Explorer, which indicated that a majority of predominantly minority-based, lower-income neighborhoods had drastically lower levels of arts participation than others in the region. 

“Many areas across Mecklenburg County had limited access to Charlotte’s arts and culture scene due to transportation and financial barriers. Culture Blocks bridge that gap by providing free arts, science, and history experiences directly within these communities, bringing the programming closer to where residents live,” said Claudia Griffin, Program Director for ASC’s Culture Blocks. 

Culture Blocks began that year, with five geographical blocks. Nearly 10 years later, in fiscal year 2024, the ASC has doubled the number of represented blocks, offering 1,037 programs through 72 providers at community spaces across the county. Over 35,000 residents participated in the programs last year. 

In partnership with both individual artists and nonprofit organizations, Culture Blocks activates public venues into spaces of creativity and connection. Case in point, Opera Carolina’s Musical Storytime program has become a pillar of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.  

Public art goes beyond enhancing visual aesthetics.  

Randella Davis, ASC’s Public Art Program Director says, “public art is a catalyst for connectivity that binds people to a place and to one another, creating pride and responsibility for these shared spaces.” 
 
As Todd Stewart, ASC’s Vice President of Public Art, puts it, “Public art is a bold way to reflect the human element in our built environment. It tells stories, anchors identity, and when done right, it’s deeply rooted in community and place.” 
 
Through managing hundreds of projects across Mecklenburg County, from the busy streets of Uptown to the lush greenways near Lake Norman, ASC is proud to be this region’s public art expert.  

• Emily Avery Sage intends to research experimental sound art methods and learn from established sound art communities by attending Struer Tracks’ “Sound Art Biennial” and by visiting sound art installations in Croatia and Denmark. 

• Dee Blackburn will visit Oaxaca, Mexico for a nine-day intensive, learning about traditional art and collage making.  

• Umayal Annamalai is set to participate in printmaking classes in Brasstown, NC, where she will learn new printmaking techniques and expand her creative practice. 

• Junior Gomez plans to expand his woodworking, mastering techniques in a professional facility to create innovative works that blend craftsmanship with natural elements. 

• Carolina Ocampo Quintana hopes to explore new mediums to add depth and narrative to an upcoming short film.  

Charlotte-Mecklenburg is a region on the rise: economically, demographically, and culturally.

As we continue to grow, our identity will also evolve, and we must ask: who is shaping the direction of that growth? Who has a voice in stewarding the organizations that reflect our values, tell our stories, and bring us together?

That’s where ASC, and our Cultural Leadership Training program, come in.

At ASC, we believe arts, science, and history aren’t just cultural experiences. They’re catalysts for inclusion, vitality, and belonging. And at the heart of a thriving cultural ecosystem lies one essential ingredient: strong, informed, and inclusive nonprofit governance.

Cultural institutions need boards that are diverse in thought, reflective of the communities they serve, and prepared to lead with integrity, strategic visioning, and care. Historically, the path to nonprofit board service has been opaque, exclusive, and intimidating to many, particularly those who have historically not been invited into those environments.

ASC’s Cultural Leadership Training program changes that. Being a good board member isn’t instinctual: it’s a learned skill set. One that requires education, mentorship, and, ultimately, time and dedication.

By demystifying the boardroom, offering hands-on training, and facilitating direct relationships between community leaders and cultural organizations, ASC is making board service not only accessible, but impactful for a new generation of leaders.

“The Midnight Marathon isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of Charlotte’s thriving cultural ecosystem, showcasing the talent that makes our city a regional arts powerhouse,” says Adam Santalla-Pierce, ASC President.

Designed as a dedicated celebration of Charlotte’s creative community, the Midnight Marathon brings together artists, art lovers, and community builders in one space for an unforgettable night of connection and discovery. Performers like Dru Billions, Maggie Lowe, Hannah Hasan, Planet Improv, Rasmus, and comedian Jeremy Kinser will take the stage among dozens of other incredible local talents.

Attendees can grab a bite from popular local food trucks, enjoy drinks with their event ticket, and mix and mingle with fellow Queen City locals—all while experiencing the nonstop performances fueling the future of the arts in Charlotte.

“ASC’s Midnight Marathon is a true testament to the power of the arts in building community,” says Erin Wilson, ASC Vice President of Philanthropy. “We’re creating a space where ASC grantees and creative partners can thrive, where audiences can discover new talent, and where we collectively celebrate the impact of arts and culture on our city.”

Below is the full performance artist lineup for ASC’s Midnight Marathon; note that a performance beak will occur from 8-9pm, with museum, bar, and food truck access remaining open. 

“The Midnight Marathon isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of Charlotte’s thriving cultural ecosystem, showcasing the talent that makes our city a regional arts powerhouse,” says Adam Santalla-Pierce, ASC President.

Designed as a dedicated celebration of Charlotte’s creative community, the Midnight Marathon brings together artists, art lovers, and community builders in one space for an unforgettable night of connection and discovery. Performers like Dru Billions, Maggie Lowe, Hannah Hasan, Planet Improv, Rasmus, and comedian Jeremy Kinser will take the stage among dozens of other incredible local talents.

Attendees can grab a bite from popular local food trucks, enjoy drinks with their event ticket, and mix and mingle with fellow Queen City locals—all while experiencing the nonstop performances fueling the future of the arts in Charlotte.

“ASC’s Midnight Marathon is a true testament to the power of the arts in building community,” says Sasha Banks, Program Officer for Community Engagement “We’re creating a space where ASC grantees and creative partners can thrive, where audiences can discover new talent, and where we collectively celebrate the impact of arts and culture on our city.”