Rooted in community. Driven by art.
Our Story
Union County Community Arts Council was founded in 1980 by four area business leaders - John Ashcraft, Jim Barnett, Koy Dawkins, and Ben Helms - to enhance quality of life through arts and culture.
The council's roots include downtown Monroe's Blooming Arts Festival and continued support for major local cultural initiatives. Today, UCCAC serves the people of Union County by leading, cultivating, and promoting the arts as an essential component of community life.
Our vision is a Union County that embraces the arts as a fundamental part of an enriched and thriving community. Programs are designed to increase participation, build appreciation, and remove barriers to access.
Through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, local government, artists, and volunteers, we provide financial assistance and practical support to organizations and individuals creating arts impact across the county.
What We Do
Arts Education
Community Exhibitions
Public Art Projects
Artist Grants
Cultural Events
Youth Programs
How We're Funded
UCCAC operates through a diversified nonprofit model: individual donations, grants, sponsorships, memberships, and event revenue.
- 38% Individual Donations
- 24% Foundation & Government Grants
- 18% Corporate Sponsors
- 12% Membership Dues
- 8% Program & Event Revenue
- Increase participation, awareness, and appreciation of the arts.
- Serve as a cultural planner and resource agency for Union County.
- Develop programming and services responsive to community needs.
- Provide financial assistance to arts organizations and individual artists.
Board of Directors
Derek Skinner
President · Huntington National Bank
Dr. Carrie Hoefferle
President-Elect · Wingate University
Matthew Stewart
Treasurer · J.P. Morgan Chase
Ron Hinson
Secretary · Hinson Electric
Michelle Lancaster
Past President · Wingate University
Dr. Paul D'Amico
Director · Atrium Health
Ernest Collins
Director · Community Volunteer
Phillip Faust
Director · Union County Chamber of Commerce
John Huneycutt
Director · Union Power Cooperative
Tracy Price
Director · Artist
Candice Sturdivant
Director · Community Volunteer
Martha Wegner
Director · Duke Energy
Jenna Westbrook, CFRE
Director · Make-A-Wish America
Ex-officio Board Members
Patrick Niland
Union County Government
Dr. Travis Teague
South Piedmont Community College
Mark Watson
City of Monroe
Partners & Sponsors
Milestones
1980 - Founded by John Ashcraft, Jim Barnett, Koy Dawkins, and Ben Helms.
1981 - First annual Blooming Arts Festival launched in downtown Monroe.
1980s - Early support for community-led orchestra development initiatives.
2000s - Arts in Education programs scaled across county schools.
2025 - 42,000+ students served through Arts in Education programs.
Today - UCCAC continues to cultivate and celebrate arts countywide.