The annual fundraising effort by the Triangle’s county-run arts agencies is back for 2024, as the Big Night In for the Arts program shared its lineup of artists and air date on Tuesday.

The fourth year of the televised show — organized by the Orange County Arts Commission, Chatham County Arts Council, Durham Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County — will feature a pair of Grammy-nominated Triangle natives. Folk musician Tift Merritt and hip-hop performer Pierce Freelon are set to make appearances alongside North Carolina artists of other mediums to highlight the region’s arts community, opportunities, and culture.

Big Night In for the Arts’ 2024 program will air on Thursday, March 7, with WRAL once again producing the broadcast. Like in prior years, sponsors can contribute ahead of the program to be included in the telecast and donations will be solicited during the show too.

Joining Merritt and Freelon’s features will be bluegrass musician Tray Wellington, artist and designer Gabriel Eng-Goetz, Latin American dance group Takiri Folclor Latino, and 15-year-old budding filmmaker Jordan Wiley. Each will be highlighted in the telecast to showcase their skills, recent projects, and talk about their experience with the arts in the Triangle. Past featured artists for the show have included Scotty McCreery, Ariana Debose, Mandolin Orange, the Chatham Rabbits, Ben Folds, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Nnenna Freelon — the mother of Pierce.

“We’re especially excited for the fourth Big Night In for the Arts,” said Orange County Arts Commission Director Katie Murray, “as we will hopefully meet our goal of raising $1 million for the arts through this important event. I’m also excited since so many of this year’s featured artists not only represent their home county, but represent the entire Triangle community through their engagement throughout the region.”

Big Night In for the Arts began in 2021 as a way for people to support the arts after the initial stages of isolation as COVID-19 spread in North Carolina. Across its three years of fundraising, the arts agencies have amassed more than $798,000 from the programming. This year, according to Tuesday’s announcement, the goal is to cross the total of $1 million raised since the event’s inception.

Additionally, the four arts organizations are bringing an in-person element to the fundraising campaign this year. Sponsors at all levels of Big Night In will be invited to a watch party of the telecast at the Durham Arts Council’s PSI Theater downtown. Beyond the broadcast, there will also be live performances, food and drinks at the event.

The 2024 Big Night In for the Arts will air at 7 p.m. on March 7, with a sponsorship deadline set for Friday, February 16. More details about the program can be found on the event’s website.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Big Night In For The Arts Shares Lineup for March Fundraiser
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 […]
Lineup Announced for 3rd Annual Big Night in for the Arts
For the third straight year, the arts councils from Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties will work together on the Big Night in for the Arts. This fundraising initiative, first conceptualized as a way to help the arts survive the COVID pandemic, has raised more than $600,000 in its first two years. More than $350,000 […]
Triangle Art Councils Raise $350,000 For Pandemic Recovery
The art councils of the Triangle joined forces earlier this month to help the area’s art industry begin a post-pandemic path to recovery. Big Night In for the Arts was the first time the art councils and commissions from Orange, Chatham, Wake, and Durham Counties hosted a shared live event to raise support for the […]
Orange County and Hillsborough Commissioners Review Timeline for Future Train Station
The future Hillsborough Station is currently set to be completed in 2027, but the town might have to wait a little longer to see it.
Uproar Festival of Public Art to Return to Orange County in August
The Uproar Festival of Public Art returns this August to showcase large-scale, bold works of art outdoors in Orange County.
'Heart and Soul of a Community': Thinking Creatively to Support Artists in Orange County
Creative people are the heart and soul of a community. So when they cannot be in it — which Orange County is facing — the loss is profound.
Preserving the Creative Economy: Survey Examines the Impact of Arts Nonprofits on Communities
A recent national survey examined the impact of arts nonprofit groups on local economies, but the local industry is still seeking support.
On Air Today: 'The State of the Arts in Orange County' - and a Jeep Raffle
Orange County Arts Commission director discusses a report on "The State of the Arts in Orange County" - plus a Jeep raffle to raise funds.
Talking Culture: 'Myth America' with Milbre Burch
Aaron welcomes Milbre Burch, a Grammy-nominated storyteller who's bringing her one-woman show "Myth America" to town in November.
Steven Petrow Shares His Vision and Projects as Latest Piedmont Laureate
Steven Petrow recently joined 97.9 The Hill's Aaron Keck for one of his first interviews after being named 2024's Piedmont Laureate.
›