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Message WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT!NORTHSTARDURHAM.COM

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programming with the Spotlight Exhibition Series, to deepening our focus on movementworkshops and Sunday Service, we’ve continued to create a space where creativity,healing, and connection thrive. This work is only possible because of you—oursupporters, artists, and community members.In the last 12 months we welcomed significant internal changes, including my owntransition as NorthStar’s permanent Executive Director. Alongside a dedicated team,we’ve restructured staff roles and strengthened operational systems to better serve ourmission. These changes are foundational steps toward ensuring NorthStar remains aresilient community space, weathering storms and cultivating joy for years to come.As we look ahead, we are setting our sights on sustainability. Our vision for the next fiveyears is clear: to cultivate a self-sustaining organization that continues to amplifymarginalized voices, create cross-cultural spaces for healing, and inspire bold, creativeexpression. Your ongoing support is essential to making this vision a reality.Thank you for believing in the power of art and community. Thank you for being part ofour story. Together, we will continue to light the path forward, celebrating thetransformative spark that lives within each of us.With gratitude and hope,Lauren GarciaExecutive Director NorthStar Church of the ArtsA LETTER FROM OUREXECUTIVE DIRECTORDear Friends of NorthStar,As we celebrate the last five years of NorthStar Churchof the Arts, I am filled with gratitude for the journey wehave shared together. This past year has been one ofreflection, transformation, and recommitment to ourmission.2024 marked an incredible milestone in our story. Fromhosting over 100 events that engaged thousands ofcommunity members, to expanding our visual arts

ABOUT NORTHSTAROur MissionTo empower marginalized artists, cultivate cross-cultural spaces for community healing,and provide a vital gathering space for creative expression and social connection.Our ValuesCommunity – We believe in the power of collective engagement and prioritize initiativesthat build connections and mutual support within our community.Creativity – We celebrate the boundless potential of artistic expression to inspire change,encourage healing, and uplift voices that have historically been marginalized.Healing – We create spaces for reflection, growth, and restoration, understanding thatart can be a path to personal and communal healing.Legacy – We honor those who came before us by nurturing what they built and plantingseeds for those yet to come.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORSNnenna FreelonPierce FreelonRandi VegaGeoff HathawayAyana BurkeVenue ManagerComms & DevelopmentCoordinatorExecutive DirectorOperations & OutreachCoordinatorMatt PhillipsSuhailah WaheedLauren GarciaDany CalhounMEET OUR TEAM

Sunday Service, one of our cornerstone gatherings, was hosted with Dr. Zelda Lockhart. Withrenewed vision and community input, this space continues to evolve as a sanctuary ofcollective reflection, embodied practice, and artistic connection.YEAR IN REVIEW:INVESTMENTSA COLLABORATIVE SUNDAY SERVICEWe invested $50,598 in direct program costs to make ourmission tangible, supporting artists, producing meaningfulprogramming, and ensuring accessibility for our growingaudience. These investments powered a vibrant calendarof events that welcomed over 3,500 participants acrossDurham and beyond.This year, we deepened our commitment to artisticexpression, community healing, and culturalpreservation by working directly with 52 incrediblelocal visual and performance artists. Through their talents and contributions, we wereable to bring powerful performances, workshops,and exhibitions to life, each one helping us affirmour purpose and expand our reach. KEY ACHIEVEMENTSARTISTIC REACH

YEAR IN REVIEWA NEW BEGINNINGMOVEMENT CONTINUESA FUNDING SUCCESS In 2024, we launched our new Spotlight Exhibition Series, designed to streamline ourvisual arts offerings and make room for more emerging and mid-career artists to sharetheir work. This curated series brings visual storytelling into greater focus and provides aconsistent platform and professional development for visual artists to shine.We also expanded our movement offerings, growing into a more inclusive and affirminghome for somatic release, yoga, and dance programs specifically centered on fat anddisabled bodies. These practices have become a vital part of our holistic approach tohealing and community care.In a landmark moment for our organization, we were awarded our very first federalgrant through the National Endowment for the Arts, a powerful recognition of thecultural and community significance of our work. This support has further validated ourvision and opened doors for future institutional funding.

We are deeply grateful to the monthlydonors, major individual supporters, andcommunity partners who made this workpossible. Together, we are buildingsomething bold, beautiful, and enduring. OUR MONTHLY SUPPORTERSAfiya C.Alissa J.Alyssa C.Alyssa N.Andrew S.Antonia R.April A.Arthur C.Ashlie W.Atiya B.Beatrice L.Beckie G.Ben E. and Emily O.Bethany B.Beverly B.Beverly D.Billy D.Birds C.Caitlyn C.Caitlyn S.Carmen C.Carol & Mark H.Carol B.Carolyn W.Charlie P.Christina C.Cocoa Cinnamon andLittle Waves CoffeeRoastersCourtney R.Crispin W.Dakia D.Danielle B.David Z.Denise B.Denise D.Dennis A.Ed F.Elizabeth F.Elizabeth J.Emily F.Emily K.Emily S.Eric H.Erin M.Evie W.Frankie A.Freeman's C.Gail J.Genna M.GideonGinnie H.Grace P.Heather M.Heather S.Hilary P.Hope T.Ina S.Jamecia E.Jeanette S.Jeff S.Jenna N.Jennifer D.Jennifer D.Jennifer V.Jess T.Jillian M.Jim H.Joanne A.Joanne P.John E.John M.Joseph H.Joyce V.Julia C.Julia L.Karen T.Karon J.Kate M.Kate S.KatieKavanah A.Kelli R.Ken R.Kenneth F.Kenneth L.Kenny D.Kerstin N.Kevin G andBeverly M.Laura K.Laura R.Leah W.Lee T.Lightsey D.Linda D.Lisa L.Liz F.Liz S.Loan T.LoisLorca L.Lou B.Lynn H.Maggie B.MailandeMarcella W.Marilyn M.Mark S.Mary R.Maryo E.Matthew T.Maya F.Maya K.Melinda H.Melissa M.Melvin P.Meredythe H.Michael C.and Meytal B.Michael T.Nancy C.Naomi G.Natalie B.Nhawndie S.North S.Omisade B.Pamela G.Patricia M.Patricia R.Peter B.Piku P.Rachel L.Randa McNamaraRandi VegaRenee and Howard C.Rev. O.Reverend Yolanda R S.Robert A.Roenitia S.Ruby J.Salt M.Sam F.Samantha E.Samario K.SammySandra J D.Sandy D.Sara O.Sara S.Sarah R.Sasha B.Shannon P.Sheffa A.Steve G.Susan W.Suzanne R.Tanya J.Todd O.Tom & Kathe S.Toni H.Tonia P.Treat H.Trineice R.UmaVernese P.William E.Zach M.

OUR 2024COLLABORATORSOUR 2024FUNDERSSoulforceMaestra the EmceeYou Call This YogaDr. Zelda LockhartCourtney Napier Carmen Cauthen NC Debt CollectiveDurham Beyond PolicingThe Justice Theater Project

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT& PARTNERSHIPSA MOTHER IS A HOUSEft. Abigail RuthANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTYTHE IN BETWEEN EXHIBITft. Molly ByromUPROOT RESIDENCYNCSU, CEFS, CORE, DurmPAC

LOOKING AHEADAs we move forward, NorthStar is entering a powerfulnew phase of growth and sustainability through theNorthStar Illumination Project. With generous supportfrom the ArtsHERE Capacity Building Grant, our sightsare set on building the internal strength, communityrelationships, and long-term resilience that will guide ourwork for years to come.Internally, we are committed to fortifying our operationalbackbone. This includes ongoing system upgrades, thedevelopment of a board and employee handbook, andformalized operating procedures to support atransparent, efficient, and adaptable organization. Withthese foundational improvements, we are betterequipped to serve our community with clarity and care.At the heart of our future plans is a deep investment in our community. We are launching an expansive community arts survey and hostingneighborhood events that invite feedback, amplify local voices, and help usunderstand how NorthStar can remain a cultural home for Durham’s evolving needs.In tandem, we are actively expanding our board and partnerships to reflect thevibrant and diverse community we serve.Our development and programming efforts are also growing in exciting ways. Withthe addition of a part-time Development Officer and Operations Coordinator, we’repreparing to launch new residencies, dynamic programs, and a 2026 Founders Daycelebration to uplift NorthStar’s legacy. We are also laying the groundwork for acapital campaign focused on sustainability, exploring new donor pipelines and long-term funding strategies to fuel our mission.Finally, we are embedding resilience into every part of our work. From successionplanning and emergency protocols to staff and community resilience trainings, we’repreparing NorthStar to thrive, through change. As we continue into the next chapterof our journey, our goal is to ensure that NorthStar remains a luminous, liberatingspace for creativity, healing, and connection for generations to come.

THANK YOU!CONTACT(919) 346-6063Phonewww.northstardurham.comWebsiteinfo@northstardurham.comEmail220 W. Geer Street | Durham, NC 27701AddressSUPPORTTHE WORKYour tax-deductible gift supports localartists and helps us keep programmingfree & open to the public. Give todayvia this QR Code!