The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, founded in 1949, was the first locally-established arts council in the United States. Emerging from a cultural planning initiative led by the Junior League of Winston-Salem, the council has maintained a historic and progressive role in strengthening the community’s cultural foundation. Its founding mission was to promote, plan, coordinate, and support arts and cultural activities within Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.
Today, the Arts Council continues to be a pivotal advocate for the arts in the region, working to grow and sustain creative offerings through inclusive, community-responsive support. One of its flagship programs is the General Operating Support Grants (GOSG), which provides unrestricted financial assistance to arts and culture organizations that demonstrate artistic merit and operational excellence.
The GOSG program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary mission and operations are based in Forsyth County. No minimum annual operating budget is required, making the opportunity accessible to organizations of various sizes. The funds are intended to support overall operations rather than project-specific costs, emphasizing the council’s commitment to long-term organizational health.
To be eligible, applicants must operate under a mission centered on arts and culture and conduct their programming primarily within Forsyth County. Organizational strength in administration, finances, and programming is expected. Quarterly reporting will be required during the grant period, although exact dates are still to be determined.
The application deadline for the current cycle is Wednesday, October 15, at 11:59 PM EST. Applications will be reviewed in November 2025, with award notifications sent in December 2025. The grant performance period spans the full calendar year of 2026, beginning January 1 and ending December 31. For inquiries, applicants can contact Cécile Boynton, the Community Grants and Services Manager, by email at cboynton@intothearts.org or by phone at (336) 747-1412.
