Celebrate Fayetteville: Exploring the Greater Fayetteville Region

T H E A R T S C O U N C I L
C E L E B R A T E F A Y E T T E V I L L E : E x p l o r i n g t h e G r e a t e r F a y e t t e v i l l e R e g i o n
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The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland
County was founded in 1973 to oversee programs
that stimulate community development through
the arts. It serves as a link between cultural and
art organizations, artists and the community.
Through the use of public and private funding,
the Arts Council supports individual creativity,
economic development, cultural preservation and
lifelong learning through the arts. It does this
by assisting in the coordination of cultural and
historical activities within the Cape Fear region.
In its service as a key resource in making
Cumberland County a good place to live, work
and visit, the Arts Council helps arts organizations
operate better, works to educate children,
and manages the Arts Center facility and activities
Among its many partnerships with community
organizations, the Arts Council along with the
Downtown Alliance, join together to provide
great family-friendly events like “A Dickens
Holiday”, held each year at the end of November,
and “Fourth Friday”, held the fourth Friday every
month except December. Both events are held
downtown. A Dickens Holiday is highlighted by
“Dickens style” clothing, horse-drawn carriages,
Victorian holiday decorations, artisans and
vendors, Father Christmas, cider, gingerbread,
Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, a candlelight
procession and fireworks. Fourth Friday offers a
plethora of options for citizens, including art
exhibitions at the Arts Council’s Arts Center and
Cape Fear Studios, live music, library events at
the downtown Headquarters Library, admission
to the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, admission
to the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local
History Museum, exhibits in the Market House,
free rides on John Malzone’s Cotton Exchange
Express, shopping and dining.
The Arts Council also hosts the International
Folk Festival, which is featured in the Festivals
section. Every event or program the Arts Council
hosts or supports helps weave a beautiful
tapestry of the community’s artistic talent and
skills, further representing the cultural diversity
that Fayetteville and Cumberland County has
to offer.