Cumberland County Public Library has announced they have been awarded a $50,260 grant to launch Creative Collaborations: Artist in Residence at Cumberland County Public Library.
This new program will bring a local artist into the library for several months, creating opportunities for the community to participate in the artistic process from ideation to creation. The residency will also give local artists a much-needed platform to showcase their work, addressing the loss of public spaces for art displays since the pandemic.
“This residency will help connect our community through the power of art,” said Cumberland County Senior Branch Manager and Co-Project Manager Gracey Gordon in a press release. “We are thrilled to provide a platform for artistic voices that will inspire and engage our patrons in meaningful ways.”
The program will include collaboration with art educators in Cumberland County Schools, enhancing classroom curriculum and providing students with hands-on opportunities to engage with the artist in residence. The library will also build upon strong partnerships with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc., ensuring selected artists have access to expert guidance and additional resources to expand their reach and impact.
This program was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Proposals are now being accepted through Sept. 30, 2025. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library/artist-in-residence or email creativecollaborations@cumberlandcountync.gov.