Arts of the Pamlico (AOP) is a non-profit 501c3, state-designated arts council founded in 1972 as Beaufort County Arts Council by the community for the community. The arts council continues to this day offering a vibrant menu of arts and culture in its Historic Turnage Theatre (Turnage) in downtown Washington, NC. The menu of programming is driven by collaboratioins with Beaufort County & invited artists and art & community groups who offer programs year-round.

To support artists and art and community groups, AOP utilizes and leverages its resources, spaces and diverse funding streams to support and grow youth and adult artists and art groups & provide County’-based arts and nonprofit groups/organizations with access to its historic jewel.

The Turnage offers AOP partners with 27,000+ square feet of programming space including a 400-seat palace theatre and flex gallery, Main Street historic marquee sign, indoor and outdoor workshop and art exhibit spaces, art garden & bistro, catering kitchen, backstage green room, costume room, washer/dryer & two full dressing rooms, access to its pianos and instruments, tech inventory and stage production equipment, HD projection system and movie screen, sound recording room and onsite concessions, managed by skilled & knowledgable staff, volunteers & partners.

Learn more below about how AOP is growing and increasing countywide access to the arts and supporting the betterment of our community.

AOP Artist Supports

• art exhibit spaces

• art instructor opportunities based on funding & AOP program plan

• art receptions for featured art exhibitors

• art sale options

• art workshops offered to the public at low/no cost

• calls for art

• collaborative projects including developing grants to secure funding for community art programs

• commission on art sales at reduced rate for AOP Artists Members

• fiscal sponsorship for art projects & programs that Beaufort County artists develop & implement

• marquee signage on Main Street

• meeting and performance equipment

• performance spaces in Gallery & on Stage

• public art project opportunities & materials

• stipends for the provision of art programs, live theatre directors and instructors based on AOP program plan & funding

• table top sales during Art Walks without commission

• ticket sales

• theatre spaces for meetings & networking

• visual art awards - over $7,000 cash prizes annually

• youth art leadership opportunities

• Coming Soon! The Rosette Recording Room, featuring podcasting and sound recording tools!

AOP Art & Community Group Supports

• collaborative projects including developing grants to secure funding for community art programs

• facility rental fees at reduced rates

• marketing services

• marquee sign rentals on Main Street

• outreach opportunities - AOP website, rack cards, flyers, slide shows, FB, IG, Tik Tok and press

• potential affiliate status to operate with AOP

• stipends for program provision based on AOP program plan & funding

• theatre spaces for meetings, awards programs, ceremonies, movies, performances, receptions, when available

• ticket sales

Contact Us

• Email artist & group rental inquiries to Grace at programs@artsofthepamlico.org.

• Email fiscal sponsorship & affiliate inquiries to Debra at debra@artsofthepamlico.org.