About

Watauga Arts Council creates a thriving, diverse, and vibrant community, through arts advocacy, education, support, and inspiration. Check our website to learn about our gallery exhibits, gift shops, events, art classes, more!

We help to support and facilitate the arts in Watauga County - Boone, Blowing Rock, and Beyond. Please contact us if you need assistance with artist outreach, initiatives, public art support, or kickstarting a new program.

Our pillars of engagement: 

Advocacy - We advocate on behalf of the arts with local Chambers of Commerce, Commissioners, and Town Council Members. We also work closely with Arts NC, the North Carolina Arts Council, and Western NC Arts Agencies association to ensure the arts are being consider in community planning and funding initiatives. 

Education: We promote and support arts education in the schools, through local nonprofits and businesses, and through offering art classes and workshops at our community center. We also provide professional development opportunities for artists of all ages. 

Support: We are the Designated County Partner for the North Carolina Arts Council. We administer federal and state funds that are designated for the arts in Watauga County. In addition, we also provide resources and support for artists, businesses, and youth. We provide, support, or facilitate arts initiatives that give artists opportunities to earn income. One of our favorite programs is our Youth Makers Market program, which provides opportunities for youth to sell their handmade items. Youth take the lead in creation, presentation, and sales. 

Inspiration: We partner with local agencies and community leaders to inspire creativity. We organize art gallery exhibits, creative events, art challenges and scavenger hunts. We also spearhead Art in the Outdoors. 

• Art for All Abilities: Weekly, Free Art Classes for Adults with Disabilities 
• Youth Makers Market: Entrepreneurs in training program Learn More
• Community Groups: Host community groups focused around a variety of mediums 
• Art Classes and Workshops: Year round opportunities to learn the fundamentals of art or a special skill. 
• First Friday Art Crawl: The first Friday of every month businesses and galleries in Downtown Boone open their doors for special night of art programming. Artists line the streets, and the bars are open. Subscribe to our First Friday Art Crawl email newsletter to receive a monthly newsletter with all the festivities to look forward to. Learn More
• Grants Administration: Grassroots Grants for arts programming and Artist Support Grant for artists to apply for professional development, equipment, travel, or special projects. Learn More  
• Art in the Outdoors: initiative which had a mission to increase the presence of Public Art in our region. We partner with agencies like the Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Downtown Boone Development Association to forge the way for more public art. We identify impactful projects and apply for grants to fund these initiatives. Learn More
• Promotion: We promote arts businesses and nonprofit programs through HighCountryArts.org and the High Country Arts Map. The website provides a directory of artists and businesses. Artists and businesses are encouraged to update your profiles for people know where to find you! 
• Gallery Exhibits and Creating Opportunities: In addition to recommending artists for exhibits at other galleries, we also host shows at our community center/office. Learn more.. 
• Buskers Fest: Our annual event where we invite artists and performers of all styles and mediums to come to downtown Boone for a street fest like no other. Experience the arts through making art, demonstrations, performances, and displays. Join us September 20, 2025! Learn More!