ArtsCenter Condemns HB2, Governor McCrory

On May 4, Carrboro’s ArtsCenter released a public statement expressing its opposition to House Bill 2. In the statement, the center’s Board of Directors called the legislation regressive and unjust and said that they are committed to fighting the bill which they believe goes against their center’s mission.

“The mission of this organization is around the arts, and the arts are related to the first amendment. We feel very strongly about individual rights as part of what we do every day and we needed to stand up and make a statement defending individual rights,” said Daniel Mayer, ArtsCenter’s executive director.

“Many people have responded to the statement via social media over the past few days,” said Patrick Phelps-McKeown, ArtsCenter’s Marketing Director.

“People have been very supportive, very positive. I think people are glad to see businesses and other members of their community taking a very visible stance on it,” McKeown-Phelps said.

While some artists like Bruce Springsteen have cancelled events to take a stand against House Bill 2, the ArtsCenter has faced no cancellations yet. Instead of protesting, the ArtsCenter is using donations as a way to fight the legislation. It recently has begun selling travel mugs as a way to support those affected by the bill. 

“Instead of making just ArtsCenter mugs, we made mugs that have a logo that speaks to inclusivity and the proceeds of that mug will go to the LGBTQ Center of Durham,” Mayer said.

Helena Cragg, board chair of the LGBTQ Center of Durham, said the ArtsCenter is one of a few different organizations to reach out in support of their community, and she is thankful for the center’s donation.

“I’m definitely appreciative that they saw the work we’re trying to do. It is yet another way a community organization has shown support for our cause, and allowing us to put that money to good use by serving the community,” Cragg said.

“Our commission on any art sold will be donated to groups that are fighting H.B. 2. We also are in the process of reaching out to local artists and designers and creators trying to give a creative response to it — tapping into the voices of the community who want to express their thoughts and opinions on this,”Phelps-McKeown said.

“The ArtsCenter is sort of a hub for the community, and we want to be a hub for discussion around the issue, and encourage others who feel strongly about this to partner with us. That’s part of why we took this very public stance — to help create one of many coalitions that have formed to fight this issue,” Mayer said.

Since the ArtsCenter has released its statement, Governor Pat McCrory has sued the federal Department of Justice over its opposition of House Bill 2 — an action Mayer is firmly against.

“I think Governor McCrory set this up as a states’ rights issue and I think it’s an issue of local control — it takes away the rights of Charlotte or Chapel Hill to pass regulations reflecting the will of its citizens. It’s not about the feds versus the state, it’s about the legislature in Raleigh and the will of the people on a local level,” Mayer said.

Regardless of the how the issue develops, Mayer said, “the ArtsCenter is willing to fight House Bill 2 as long as necessary.” reporter’s notes

“We’ve taken a few steps so far, but what I’ve told our staff is that we’re in it for the long haul,” Mayer said.

“This issue won’t go away overnight so we really are looking at how we can be an advocate for this issue over the long term.”

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