CONNECTING CULTURES & COMMUNITIES: THE POWER OF CULTURE BLOCKS
At the core of the Arts & Science Council’s mission is a commitment to fostering an inclusive, sustainable, and engaged community: one where the arts, sciences, and history play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
To achieve this, ASC works tirelessly with local creatives to bring opportunities for creative expression and intercultural engagement directly to the backyards and front steps of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s many diverse communities.
As the region’s trusted arts and cultural leader, ASC is proud to collaborate with local partners to provide free and accessible arts and cultural experiences through the Culture Blocks program.
WHAT IS A CULTURE BLOCK?
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.
“Opera Carolina’s Musical Storytime program brings stories to life for our youngest audiences and their families through live singing and dramatic interpretation, often offering a child’s first experience with live music,” says Teil Taliesin, Opera Carolina’s Director of Learning Programs.
“Thanks to the continued support of the Culture Blocks program, we’re able to keep bringing live storytelling to families across Charlotte and nurture a love for the arts and literacy from an early age,” Taliesin says.
Whether through turning libraries into temporary opera houses, or transforming a library with a poetry workshop, Culture Blocks programming is designed in direction correlation to community needs.
How Culture Blocks Function: Community-Guided, Artist-Driven
What sets Culture Blocks apart is its community-driven approach. Programs must take place within designated block boundaries and are shaped by resident input to reflect local interests, identities, and needs.
In conjunction with residents and artists, a diverse panel helps to determine which programs are funded, and where they will be held. A group of artists, community members, representatives from Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries and Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation staff, and ASC board members work diligently to curate cycles of programs that are engaging, informative, and, above all: transformative, and intercultural.
Because these programs are designed with community in mind, program participants are not the only beneficiaries; artists and creatives, called “Program Providers,” are poured into, as well.
“The Culture Blocks program has made the arts more accessible for our community,” says Toni Lovejoy, a photographer and Culture Blocks Program Provider. “Artists are able to share their stories and passions, and it opens doors to the community that we didn’t even know needed opening. It has sparked such joy in me.”
For a majority of Culture Blocks program providers, it seems such joy comes from the opportunity to create space and community alongside the rich diversity that defines Mecklenburg County.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE
The Culture Blocks program, while not specifically designed as a multicultural and intercultural engagement initiative, naturally showcases the rich and diverse identities and communities that reside in Mecklenburg County.
The Charlotte region is one of the most diverse areas in North Carolina, with vibrant Latin American communities and a growing representation of Southeast Asian residents. This diversity contributes to Charlotte’s status as a regional powerhouse in the southeast. As a result, there are always various cultures to celebrate and unique backgrounds to highlight.
“Over time, the Culture Blocks program has become a celebration of our region’s diversity,” says program manager Brooklyn Miller.
Events such as uptown’s “Festival of India,” Steele Creek’s Multicultural Festival, and Camp North End’s Empanada Fest exemplify the rich cultural tapestry of Mecklenburg County. ASC is proud to showcase and promote the diverse cultures within our community.
To learn more about the Culture Blocks program, and to learn more about upcoming events and funding opportunities, visit artsandscience.org/cultureblocks
ABOUT ASC
The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural leader, serving as a resource hub, funder, and advocate for arts, science, and history.
A supporting organization of Foundation For The Carolinas, ASC champions local creatives by investing in the arts, sciences, and culture to drive economic growth, community retention, and cultural engagement.
Our mission is to build inclusive, sustainable, and culturally rich communities where creativity drives belonging, growth, and opportunity. From artist support grants and public art stewardship to free Culture Blocks events and partnerships with local schools and universities, ASC invests in a thriving, accessible creative ecosystem for all.