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The Iredell Arts Council (IAC) has announced its 2026 programming, unveiling a year of concerts, art shows, film, and spoken word events that continue to position the arts as a vital connector across Iredell County.

The announcement follows a year of record impact. In 2025, IAC invested more than $190,000 directly into the local arts economy, provided $64,000 in grant support to 12 local arts organizations, supported 178 artists, and generated over $250,000 for Downtown Statesville through the Full Bloom Film Festival.

“In 2026, we’re building on real momentum,” said Sydney Koppelmeyer, executive director of the Iredell Arts Council. “At its core, this work is about connection, supporting artists, bringing people together, and creating shared creative experiences that strengthen our community.”

In 2026, the Arts Council will host 45 events at the historic Old Jail, alongside signature community programs including Art in the Park, which brings artists, families, and neighbors together through accessible, outdoor creative experiences. The full schedule is available at iredellartscouncil.com/calendar-of-events.

A major highlight of the season is the launch of Well Crafted at IAC, a new five-part concert series inspired directly by an artist’s experience at the Arts Council. After performing with Amanda Platt and the Honeycutters in April 2025, steel pedal guitarist Matthew Smith proposed a series pairing intimate performances with interview-style conversations.

The 2026 Concert Series will also return, featuring nationally and regionally recognized musicians spanning Americana, folk, blues, indie, and roots genres, including Vanessa Collier, Larry Keel, and Driftwood. Seating is limited, with early access available to Patron-level members.

Visual arts programming continues through IAC’s Art Show Series, featuring professional local artists, emerging creatives, students, and community-driven exhibitions throughout the year.

The Full Bloom Film Festival returns September 10–12, bringing independent films from around the world to Downtown Statesville, alongside a year-round film series. The Spoken Word Series rounds out the season with performances by poets and storytellers from across the region hosted by local poet Derick Lee Stephenson.

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Additional programming details, tickets, and membership information are available at iredellartscouncil.com.