SECU Foundation has announced a $300,000 grant to the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) Foundation to help expand its Artist Innovation Mentorship (AIM) program for midde school youth in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina. With the expansion, the AIM program can reach 1,200 youth annually and by 2028 can serve 50 counties. 

Established as a pilot in 2021, AIM connects local artists from universities, community colleges, fellowships, and art organizations with students to provide positive role models and foster creative thinking strategies through artmaking. The students’ work is featured in local community galleries, parades, and exhibitions. In the pilot phase, more than 350 students received over 12,700 hours of learning through the program.

“We are pleased to support the expansion of the Artist Innovation Mentorship program and the work that is benefiting so many of our North Carolina youth,” said SECU Foundation Executive Director Jama Campbell. “This program is another example of NCMA’s outstanding art education outreach and speaks to the broader impact this program can make in school districts and communities that have limited resources for arts education. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of art on students’ lives.”

“It is an honor for the North Carolina Museum of Art and our Artist Innovation Mentorship program to have a place among the other incredible projects the SECU Foundation funds, and that vote of confidence in the work we are doing is greatly appreciated,” said NCMA Director and CEO Dr. Valerie Hillings. “We are incredibly thankful to have SECU Foundation’s support and are excited to put grant funds to work bringing AIM to more communities across North Carolina.”