The Artist Innovation Mentorship program is the signature outreach program of the NCMA, pairing teaching artists with middle school–aged youth in after-school programs throughout North Carolina. During its first year, NCMA AIM provided eight artist residencies that served a total of seven counties. By partnering with community leaders and local artists within those counties, the program served over 100 students and impacted over 5,000 community members. The NCMA continues to work in rural communities through partnerships with the North Carolina Arts Council, Hometown Strong, and local county partners to increase outreach efforts as we enter the second year of a multiyear commitment to the AIM program.

Pilot funding was provided by the Anonymous Trust and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with additional generous support from First Citizens Bank and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.