Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County was established in 1949 and was the first locally established arts council in the United States. Now there are more than 4,000. Arts Council enriches the quality of life for people in Winston-Salem and neighboring communities by raising funds for the arts, advocating for the arts, sponsoring events in conjunction with other arts organizations, providing educational opportunities strengthening cultural resources, developing social capital, and aiding economic development. Its continued effectiveness can be attributed to the thousands of dedicated volunteers and contributors who are firmly committed to the idea that Winston-Salem is “The City of Arts and Innovation.”