Arts Funding – GWACA co-manages Grassroots Arts grants with the Cape Fear Museum. This year, $51,875 was allocated for 15 local arts groups, the Quality Enhancement of Non-Profit Organizations (QENO), and to the Regional Artist Grant program. $8,475 was allocated to support GWACA and grant administration.

Continuing Education – GWACA sponsors training for the Regional Artist Grant applications and works cooperatively with Cape Fear Community College and UNC-Wilmington to identify, present, and advertise training opportunities for arts and cultural non-profit organizations and artists. The partnership with QENO will continue to create targeted training opportunities to enhance non-profit arts and cultural board and management operations.

Promoting the Arts – GWACA underwrites costs for advertising placement on the Resorts Map visitor guide. The ads direct users to GWACA’s website to access the arts and cultural calendar and directory.

Partnerships – GWACA enjoys a partnership agreement with Creative Wilmington, which manages the community arts calendar that can be directly accessed through the GWACA website. The website also offers volunteer exchange programs, serving as a venue for members to list volunteer opportunities.

Networking within the Arts & Cultural Community – Semi-annual “gatherings” sponsored by the local publications Encore, Star News, and Wilmington Journal, with generous in-kind support from local businesses, increase communications and encourage collaborations.

Advocacy – GWACA encourages increased support of the arts and cultural community.