Big Night In For the Arts, featuring performances from local and national artists, will return for a second year to local television screens.

The event brings together arts commissions and councils from Orange, Durham, Chatham and Wake counties to support and raise funds for the Triangle’s arts organizations and infrastructure during the pandemic. Started in 2021, the initial telecast led to more than $350,000 being committed by hundreds of individual and corporate donors.

The organizations announced this week the telecast is set for Thursday, March 10.

“We are so excited to be a part of Big Night In again this year,” said Katie Murray, Director of the Orange County Arts Commission. “Last year’s event allowed us to give support grants to local arts organizations and artists and helped us provide new programs for our community that wouldn’t have been possible if not for this event.

“But almost as importantly,” Murray said, “it reminded 35,000 viewers why the arts are critical to our communities, our youth, and our wellbeing as humans.”

Those 35,000 viewers took in the 2021 Big Night In on WRAL, and the network will once again be broadcasting the 2022 edition. Artists such as Ben Folds, Nnenna Freelon and Hiss Golden Messenger are scheduled to perform as the headliners this year. Last year, the program featured appearances from Triangle natives like country musician Scotty McCreery, now-Academy Award nominee Ariana DeBose and Orange County’s own Watchhouse.

“Our program was a huge success last year and we are thrilled to be doing it again to support the local arts communities that are just starting to get back on their feet,” said Andrea Akin, marketing and public relations leader for the Chatham Arts Council.

The 2022 Big Night In For the Arts is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast in its entirety on WRAL. Those who would like to donate money for the event can do so here.

 

Featured image via Shutterstock

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