Founded in 1967, the North Carolina Arts Council promotes "arts for all citizens," aiming to develop and support the arts for North Carolinians and their communities across all 100 counties. By delivering resources for arts development in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner, the council, an agency of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and advised by a 24-member citizen board appointed by the Governor, furthers arts development statewide.
The Traditional Arts Program for Students (TAPS) aims to connect North Carolina students with local traditional artists through community organizations like arts councils, schools, and community centers. TAPS provides funding for after-school programs where students are taught art forms intrinsic to their community's cultural heritage by expert practitioners. These art forms include indigenous carving, basket making, storytelling, and other traditional arts developed through centuries of immigration and cultural integration. Programs like the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) offer instruction in instruments such as banjo and guitar, reflecting the region's musical heritage. Each TAPS program sets yearly goals covering development, evaluation, local support, community connections, professional development, and public communication. TAPS highlights the state's commitment to fostering shared artistic traditions and ensuring their transmission and appreciation across generations.