SECCA is now NCMA Winston-Salem
A Letter from Executive Director William Carpenter
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
As we persevere through the heat of the summer and look toward autumn, we see a season full of new exhibitions, new programs, and new offerings. We even have a new name: North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (or NCMA Winston-Salem). This name celebrates our now 17-year relationship with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the NCMA in Raleigh, one of the nation's oldest and most successful public art museums. I'm also so pleased that our hometown is right there in the name. For more than 65 years, Winston-Salem has supported our efforts to raise the profiles of contemporary artists, to bring high-quality art education to our schools and communities, and to make the very best of contemporary culture accessible to all.
Though our name has changed, our mission and vision have not. NCMA Winston-Salem will continue to engage our communities by creating inclusive, revelatory, and educational experiences with outstanding contemporary arts. As we begin to make the many capital improvements funded by the NC Legislature, we continue realizing our vision of being a vibrant artscape for celebrating human expression.
What also hasn't changed is the vital role you play in our success and sustainability. Without you, we are just a building. As a public institution, we are fortunate to receive operating support from the state, funds to pay for things like utilities, maintenance, and salaries. All of our programming costs – our exhibitions, workshops, concerts, etc. – are supported directly by members, ticket buyers, sponsors, and donors. In most years, these costs make up more than 50% of our expenses. To maintain the high quality of our exhibitions, we will be asking visitors to purchase tickets for the galleries. Members and their guests will always receive free admission to exhibitions. Please know that when you renew your membership, buy a ticket, or make a donation, you are directly contributing to the quality and breadth of our offerings. Read on for a detailed look at admission pricing.
Our offerings are continually expanding. This season, you can meet three artists who are stretching boundaries in media and materials: Tyler Mitchell, John Brooks, and Jordan Nassar. Save the dates of these openings so you can tour the shows with the artists themselves. Additionally, we're scheduling more concerts across a spectrum of genres. The Hanes House, lake stage, and auditorium serve as wonderful venues for experiencing new sounds from emerging artists.
I am very excited to introduce Nite School, a collection of continuing education programs that offer the thrill of intellectual inquiry – just without the tests and grades. At Nite School, you'll find returning series such as Fireside and Book Club. With our friends from EMBER Audio + Design, we're adding the new Vinyl Lounge. Bring your own records and immerse yourself in a communal listening experience unlike any other.
For folks who might want deeper dives, we're offering three Study Hall Seminars, focused courses led by working artists and educators. These small, in-person seminars encourage critical reading, creative experimentation, and open dialogue. Topics this season include contemporary fiction, creativity theory, and art and wellness. Seats are limited, so sign up soon.
Change, whether it be institutional or personal, can be scary, but it can also be exciting. It can lead to something stronger, something yet to be realized. I believe wholeheartedly that NCMA Winston-Salem is on a trajectory toward greater sustainability and a renewed prominence in the world of contemporary art. I believe, too, that we will be recognized for redefining what a contemporary art center can mean for its communities. We will set new expectations for how partnerships are developed and nurtured, for how programs are co-created and delivered with stakeholders. Finally, I believe that you see the immense value in this kind of change. If so, please purchase, renew, or upgrade your membership today and begin receiving discounts on tickets, coffee, and retail purchases. Together, we can ensure that our communities enjoy continued access to the very best of contemporary culture and education.
Sincerely,
William Carpenter
Executive Director, NCMA Winston-Salem
Admission Pricing
Admission pricing is effective August 1. Prices do not include tax.
General Admission: $8
Youth (17 and under): Free
Senior (65 and up): $6
Military: $6
College Students: $6
Members: Free
Members receive 2 free guest passes per exhibition. Family membership includes up to 6 children. Read more about membership here.
