Our Mission & Vision

Making the arts accessible to all-for over 60 years.

Our Mission

The Beaufort County Arts Council, dba Arts of the Pamlico (AOP) is a state-designated arts council. AOP strives to make the arts accessible to all residents of Beaufort County.

This mission is accomplished through collaborative creation and provision of year-round programming for youth and adults by providing space, support, tools, training, retail space and resources to artists and arts organizations throughout the County and region.

Group of people on stage raising their hands, standing in front of a black curtain.

  • We believe everyone deserves access to the arts.

People gathered in an art gallery looking at framed paintings on the wall.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide access to high-quality, local arts opportunities for all residents of Beaufort County and the region.

From youth art camps and theatre productions to visual arts exhibits and public art installations, AOP exists to connect people through creativity.

Rooted in Community. Powered by the Arts

Sign on brick wall for 'Arts of the Pamilco' with the subtitle 'Connecting Art - Culture - Community' and an colorful mosaic art piece beneath it, partially obscured by green tree branches.

With over 60 years of service, AOP is one of North Carolina’s oldest arts councils. Founded as the Beaufort County Arts Council and doing business as Arts of the Pamlico (AOP), AOP offers year-round programs at its Historic Turnage Theatre artsplex of multiple makers and performance spaces.

This heartbeat of arts & culture in the County leads and supports collaborative creation & provision of programs with space, retail opportunities, tools & training for professional & emerging artists and arts & cultural, educational groups and entrepreneurial artists of the Pamlico River region.

Artists and groups benefit from no cost/low cost access to the artsplex which provides superior technology and a supportive and focused environment that enhances professionalism, builds confidence and fosters genuine artist-audience connection, elevating awareness and capacity building for artists and art groups.

Our Vision for FY 2026

-       Advance utilization of theatre spaces by building new and continuing existing partnerships

-       Build daytime programming with and for Seniors and Gen Z & Millennials

-       Form & support committees that will support AOP activities and engage the community

-       Grow youth arts programs & secure funding to continue free camps and events

-       Guide the next generation of arts leaders and cultivate knowledge of past leaders

-       Rebuild AOP-led performing arts programs on stage at the Turnage

-       Support the implementation of an annual collaborative arts festival