Thursday, February 11- Friday, February 12, 2026
For 15 years, the North Carolina Community College Associate in Fine Art (AFA) Association has been the driving force behind our state’s creative educational pipeline.
The 2027 NC AFA Association Conference brings together dedicated higher-education faculty from across visual art, music, theatre, and design. This milestone event is more than a professional development gathering—it is a collaborative summit where educators share innovative teaching techniques, design cross-disciplinary projects, and work directly on enhancing AFA-to-BFA transfer agreements between community colleges and four-year university programs.
Why Sponsor the 2027 Conference?
When you partner with the AFA Association, you aren't just funding an event—you are investing in the educators who shape North Carolina's future creative workforce and cultural landscape. Your sponsorship directly supports initiatives that break down institutional barriers and create seamless pathways for fine arts students across the state.
By joining us for our 15th anniversary, you align your organization with a statewide mission to:
Advocate: Champion the value of accessible arts education and strengthen the critical transfer pipelines that allow NC community college students to successfully transition into four-year university programs.
Educate: Facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge pedagogy, curriculum developments, and practical project ideas among faculty from diverse creative disciplines.
Inspire: Build a robust, collaborative network of educators whose shared learning and enthusiasm directly impact thousands of fine arts students across North Carolina every year.
Join us in celebrating 15 years of connection and creativity. Help us empower the educators who are building the future of the arts in North Carolina.
We are thrilled to announce that the 2027 conference will be hosted at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. As the premier cultural crown jewel of our state, the NCMA stands as the perfect setting to celebrate 15 years of the AFA Association. Hosting our milestone event at this iconic institution is deeply meaningful for our mission and offers unique value to our sponsors:
Bridging Education and the Professional Arts: The NCMA embodies the exact pipeline our educators build every day—connecting academic foundation with world-class, professional creative achievement.
A Central Hub for Statewide Impact: Located in the heart of the capital, this venue brings together faculty and leadership from all corners of North Carolina, maximizing the geographic reach and visibility of your sponsorship.
Elevating the Creative Economy: By partnering with us at a venue that attracts global artistic attention, your organization is visibly positioned at the absolute center of North Carolina’s thriving creative sector.
Sponsorship Tiers & Opportunities
Below, explore the various ways your organization can partner with us to support North Carolina art education, gain prominent visibility at the North Carolina Museum of Art, and connect with faculty leaders from across the state.
Presenting Reception Sponsor
(Title Level) — $5,000
Exclusive Reception Naming Rights: "The Evening Reception Hosted by [Your Organization's Name]" with prominent standalone signage throughout the reception space at the NCMA.
Premium Visual Branding: Top-tier placement of your large logo on the official conference website homepage, digital signage, and the front cover of the printed program.
Podium Recognition: Dedicated verbal acknowledgment during both the opening remarks and a special toast during the reception.
Collateral Placement: Opportunity to include promotional material or a branded item in the attendee registration packets.
Event Access: Four (4) complimentary all-access registration waivers, including full conference admission and the NCMA evening reception.
Co-Headline Reception Sponsor (Platinum Level) — $2,500
Shared Reception Branding: Co-branded signage featured prominently at the food and beverage stations during the NCMA evening reception.
Elevated Visual Branding: High-priority logo placement on the conference website, main event digital displays, and inside the printed program.
Verbal Recognition: Special acknowledgment during the evening reception.
Event Access: Three (3) complimentary all-access registration waivers, including the conference and the NCMA reception.
Inspire Sponsor (Gold Level) — $1,000
Exclusive Visual Branding: Prominent placement of your organization's logo on the official conference website, digital signage, and printed program.
Verbal Recognition: Special acknowledgement during the opening remarks and evening reception.
Exhibitor Space or Reception Access: Includes a dedicated table with tablecloth and 2 chairs set up in the main lobby for connecting with attendees between sessions (or, upon request, swap table access for two complimentary tickets to the NCMA evening reception). Includes two (2) complimentary conference registration waivers.
Educate Sponsor (Silver Level) — $500
Visual Branding: Inclusion of your organization's logo on the conference website and printed program.
Exhibitor Space or Reception Access: Includes one (1) complimentary conference registration waiver, plus your choice of:
A dedicated table with tablecloth and 2 chairs in the main lobby for product sample giveaways and attendee engagement between sessions, OR
One (1) ticket to the NCMA evening reception.
Advocate Sponsor (Bronze Level) — Up to $499
Community Recognition: Text listing as a supporting advocate on the conference website and printed program.
Perfect for individual patrons, independent artists, or small local businesses wanting to support arts education in North Carolina.
Payments will be made to Wake Tech Community College.
Please contact Harriet Hoover, NCCC AFA Association President, for additional details at (hhoover@waketech.edu)