Tag Archives: grant

Wilson Arts Announces $100,000 Challenge Opportunity to Advance MakerSpace Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cathy B. Hardison
Executive Director, Wilson Arts
cathy@wilsonarts.com
(252) 291-4329
www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace

Wilson Arts Announces $100,000 Challenge Opportunity to Advance MakerSpace Campaign

WILSON, NC — April 9, 2026 — Wilson Arts is inviting the community to rally behind an exciting new opportunity: a $100,000 challenge from Anonymous Trust that will double the impact of local support for its MakerSpace Capital Campaign.

If Wilson Arts raises $100,000 by July 31, the Anonymous Trust will match those funds unlocking a total of $200,000 to support the ongoing renovation and expansion of its downtown facility. This is an “all or nothing” challenge grant, meaning the full match will only be awarded if the $100,000 goal is met by the deadline.

“This is a powerful moment for our organization and our community,” said Cathy Hardison, Executive Director of Wilson Arts. “This isn’t funding that’s already in hand; it’s an opportunity. Every gift made between now and July 31 helps unlock these matching dollars and brings us one step closer to completing a space that is already taking shape and will soon serve Wilson for generations.”

The MakerSpace project will transform approximately 7,000 square feet of Wilson Arts’ existing building into a dynamic, hands-on creative hub featuring studios for ceramics, woodworking, metalsmithing, and more. The space is designed to support learners of all ages, provide workforce-ready skills, and foster creativity as a tool for mental wellness, personal expression, and community connection.

Wilson Arts has already raised $1.47 million toward the project, with construction currently underway and visible progress being made. The project began earlier this year to align with grant and funding timelines and is expected to be complete by the end of May. Total construction costs are estimated at $1.8 million, with additional funding still needed for equipment and program launch.

“This MakerSpace represents an investment in Wilson’s future,” said Blair Myers, Board President of Wilson Arts. “We’re creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, explore their creativity, and connect with one another. This challenge is an opportunity for our entire community to be part of something lasting and meaningful.”

“We’re asking our community to help us meet this moment,” Hardison added. “Whether it’s a first-time gift or continued support, every contribution matters.  Right now, every dollar goes twice as far.”

Wilson Arts encourages individuals, businesses, and community partners to make a gift before the July 31 deadline to help unlock the full $200,000. Pledges can be made over three years, with flexible monthly, quarterly, or annual options. In addition to new contributions, increased gifts and lapsed gifts for the capital campaign over 18 months will count towards the challenge grant.

All donors contributing toward the project will be recognized as part of this transformational project.

For more information or to contribute, visit www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace or contact Cathy Hardison at (252) 291-4329 or cathy@wilsonarts.com.

About Wilson Arts

Wilson Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Wilson County through visual arts, performing arts, and arts education. Through exhibitions, classes, performances, and community programs, Wilson Arts serves thousands of residents each year and is committed to making the arts accessible to all.

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Wilson Arts Receives $500,000 Grant to Advance Wilson Arts Center Project

Wilson, NC. (August 7, 2024) – Wilson Arts is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous $500,000 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson. This funding will support the construction of cutting-edge educational makerspace studios at the Wilson Arts Center, marking a significant milestone in the completion of phase 2 of our ambitious renovation project.

A makerspace is a community oriented workspace where people can come together to create, learn, and collaborate on various projects. Equipped with tools, materials, and resources that cater to a wide range of interests—such as woodworking, pottery, metalworking, and more—these makerspace studios will serve as hubs of creativity and innovation. The key idea behind a makerspace is fostering creativity, collaboration, learning, and a sense of community. Whether you’re a hobbyist, an artist, an engineer, or just curious, a makerspace provides the environment and tools to explore and create.

“The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is a proud partner in this exciting project. The expansion will provide space for new programs that will be available for all ages of the Wilson community,” said Paula Benson, Executive Director of Healthcare Foundation of Wilson. “The programming proposed by Wilson Arts will offer many opportunities that support mental health and active living. We are also excited that this programming will be available to youth participants of Y-GIG, the after-school program funded by the Foundation.”

The grant comes on the heels of the successful completion of phase 1 in 2021, a $2.3 million endeavor that laid a strong foundation for the continued development of the Wilson Arts Center. With this latest financial boost, Wilson Arts is poised to finish the remaining renovation work and fully realize our vision of a vibrant, interactive educational hub.

As an organization now proudly debt-free, Wilson Arts is in a position of financial stability that will allow us to advance confidently into the next phases of our renovation project. The completion of phase 2 will not only enhance our facility but also expand our capacity to foster creativity and learning within the community.

The arts play a crucial role in promoting mental and physical well-being. Engaging in artistic activities offers a non-medical approach to mental health prevention, potentially reducing the need for more traditional health services. By nurturing creativity, individuals can take greater responsibility for their own health, maintain independence, and enhance their quality of life through the joy and fulfillment that art brings.

Scientific studies, including those available at the National Library of Medicine, highlight the positive impact of art on both mental and physical health. Art has been shown to increase serotonin levels, boost blood flow to pleasure centers in the brain, and promote new ways of thinking. These effects contribute to improved mental health, reduced anxiety and blood pressure, and an overall better sense of well-being.

Wilson Arts is excited to continue this journey and looks forward to the future with optimism, as we work to create a space where the arts can flourish and positively impact our community. If you are interested in making a directed donation towards the Wilson Arts makerspace project, please reach out to Cathy Hardison, Wilson Arts Executive Director, at cathy@wilsonarts.com or by phone at 252-291-4329 x 105.

Wilson Times article: Foundation awards $6M grant to Barton health sciences efforts – Restoration NewsMedia
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson press release: Healthcare Foundation of Wilson NC | Health & Wellness