DURHAM, NC—For 45 years, the Durham Arts Council has proudly presented the CenterFest Arts Festival on the third weekend in September, attracting up to 35,000 attendees to downtown Durham for a lively weekend of visual arts, performing arts, a showcase of community organizations, plus food and fun for all ages. CenterFest is nationally ranked in the Top 100 Fine Arts Festivals in the United States and is North Carolina’s longest running juried outdoor arts festival. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the in-person downtown festival cannot take place in 2020. Instead, the Durham Arts Council is creating a lively online virtual CenterFest that will feature visual and performing arts, memories and highlights of CenterFest over the years, plus sponsor highlights and special interactive features. DAC is forming committees of volunteers, staff and board to develop the new online CenterFest features and looks forward to sharing this with the community in September. More information at www.centerfest.durhamarts.org

“The arts are, and always have been, central to Durham’s identity as a diverse, creative and vibrant community. CenterFest is a long-standing celebration of that identity that brings people together in downtown Durham. Unfortunately this year, due to the Covid19 pandemic and the need to social distance and protect the health of our community, we will not be able to bring people together physically. Instead, we will offer an online program that will showcase beautiful art, local performers, and more, so that we can continue to appreciate, support and celebrate the Arts as a community” said Durham Arts Council Board of Trustees President, Dr. Constanza Gómez-Joines.

About Durham Arts Council
Durham Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and local arts agency dedicated to supporting the arts in Durham and the entire Triangle Region in North Carolina and has served the community since 1954. Each year DAC serves nearly 400,000 visitors and program participants, over 2,000 artists, and more than 300 arts and cultural organizations through classes, artist residencies, exhibits, festivals, grants programs, technical support, arts advocacy and information services. Durham Arts Council, Inc. is a catalyst in the cultural development of Durham – it leads, inspires, and promotes excellence in and access to the creation, experience and active support of the arts for all the people of our community. For more information call 919.560.ARTS or visit our website at www.durhamarts.org ###