Local News

ArtsXL creates space for knowledge, support, growth in Fayetteville's arts community

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Written by Tiffany Haywood

When most people think about the arts, they picture the finished product — a painting hanging in a gallery, a moving musical performance, a handcrafted work or an inspiring theatrical production. What they don't often see is everything required to bring those creative visions to life.

That is where the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County hopes ArtsXL will make a lasting difference.

Building a thriving arts community takes more than talent. It requires access to education, professional guidance, affordable space and opportunities to connect with others who understand both the creative and business sides of the arts. Through ArtsXL, the Arts Council is investing in artists and arts organizations by bringing those resources together under one roof.

One example of that mission is Creative Summer School, a free three-part professional development series designed to help artists strengthen the business side of their creative careers. The series began July 11 with Artist Marketing, Promotion & Networking, led by Miles McKeller-Smith, director of public relations for the Arts Council. On Aug. 1, Michael Houck, director of artistic communities, will present Best Practices in Grant Writing for Individual Artists, followed by Grants, Taxes & Artist Management on Aug. 15 with financial literacy advocate and Arts Council grant recipient Crystal McLean, creator of The Money Box Workshop. For more information about classes, visit https://www.theartscouncil.com/

Rather than focusing on artistic technique, the sessions concentrate on the professional skills that help artists sustain and grow their work.

"I want artists to be more confident," said Kashia Knight, arts education manager for the Arts Council, referring to everything from promoting their work to applying for grants. She also hopes participants recognize "that the Arts Council is not only a place of venue space but a space for resource and networking."

While the workshops highlight one way ArtsXL serves the community, they represent only a portion of the building's larger purpose.

Located at 214 Burgess St., the approximately 6,670-square-foot, two-story facility was created to remove barriers by providing affordable office space for arts nonprofit organizations while also offering rehearsal, performance, meeting and community-use space. The main theater and event area accommodate approximately 150 people, depending on its configuration.

According to the Arts Council, ArtsXL is not intended to function as a public class or resource center. Instead, Creative Summer School demonstrates one of many ways the space can be activated alongside performances, concerts, spoken word events, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops and other creative programming.

"The idea behind it is to have a space provided to arts-focused nonprofit organizations that they can afford to have office space and a professional setting, so that they're not trying to run organizations out of their garage," said Chris Walker, facilities manager for ArtsXL.

Today, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and Cumberland Choral Arts lease space within the building. Since opening in late January, Walker said ArtsXL has continued to gain momentum as arts organizations, individual artists and community nonprofits have begun using the facility for performances, exhibitions, meetings and special events.

For artists, access to those opportunities can make all the difference. An idea should not be abandoned because there is nowhere to rehearse, exhibit a finished piece, host an event or learn how to secure funding for the next project. By bringing education, collaboration and affordable creative space together, ArtsXL is helping remove those obstacles before they become roadblocks.

The public may ultimately see the finished painting, hear the concert or attend the performance, but those moments begin long before the audience arrives. They begin with artists who have the knowledge, encouragement, relationships and resources to keep creating.

As Walker put it, ArtsXL is simply "waiting to be utilized by the community."

It isn't finished.

It's only just beginning.

Talent comes first: Cumberland County Parks & Rec provides competition for athletes of all abilities

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Written by Tiffany Haywood

Adaptive sports aren't about making athletics easier. They're about ensuring talent—not physical challenges—determines the opportunity to compete.

Comparisons between life and sports are often cliché, but they're also often true.

In both, we enter with goals, expectations and the desire to do our best. We all bring different strengths, different weaknesses and different challenges. Success isn't determined by whether those challenges exist. It's determined by how we respond to them.

The same is true in sports.

So when you hear the phrase adaptive sports, what comes to mind? If you're anything like me, you may automatically think easier. Less challenging. Maybe even a version of sports where the competition itself has been softened.

That was my misconception going into a recent conversation with Katie Smart, athletic coordinator for Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation, and Ben Kowalczyk, recreation center supervisor, for Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation. 

I was wrong.

One thing I hadn't considered before this interview was the difference between a challenge and a limitation. A limitation implies an ending. A challenge implies a path forward. The philosophy behind Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation's Adaptive Sports Program isn't to ignore the physical challenges athletes may face. It's to remove the barriers surrounding those challenges so talent—not circumstance—has the opportunity to take the lead.

What happens when a community chooses to adapt the game instead of lowering the standard?

That's exactly what Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation has done.

"The talent comes first," Kowalczyk said.

That philosophy became the foundation for everything we discussed.

Adaptive sports don't begin by focusing on what an athlete can't do. They begin by recognizing what an athlete can do. The adaptations come afterward, removing barriers that might otherwise prevent someone from competing.

Smart said one of the biggest misconceptions people have is believing adaptive sports are watered-down versions of traditional athletics. In reality, the modifications aren't intended to reduce competition. They're designed to preserve it while creating an equal opportunity to compete.

Wheelchair basketball offers one of the clearest examples.

Players are assigned a functional point value based on their physical abilities, and the combined point total of the five athletes on the court cannot exceed a designated limit. The system isn't designed to determine who's more talented. Instead, it balances functional ability so the outcome is determined by skill, teamwork, strategy and effort—not by differences in physical challenges.

That same philosophy extends beyond the basketball court.

Playing environments are adapted to accommodate athletes using wheelchairs, walkers, canes and other mobility devices. Rule modifications make participation possible while preserving the integrity of the competition.

The adaptations support the athlete.

They never replace the athlete.

While wheelchair basketball may be one of the program's most recognizable offerings, it represents only one part of a much broader commitment to 

adaptive recreation.

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation offers Buddy Sports for participants ages 5 and older, with no upper age limit, creating opportunities for individuals who want to stay active, build skills and enjoy the social benefits of recreation, whether or not competitive sports are their goal. The department also offers adaptive opportunities for youth, adults and veterans through aquatics, golf, tennis, soccer, flag football, wheelchair basketball and other seasonal programs.

The department also serves as the Cumberland County headquarters for Special Olympics, reflecting a long-standing commitment to ensuring athletes of all abilities have access to meaningful recreational and competitive opportunities.

That commitment continues throughout the year.

As summer gives way to fall, indoor soccer and flag football begin in August, followed by outdoor soccer. Wheelchair basketball players are also preparing for their season, which tips off in October. Each program is intentionally designed to meet athletes where they are while continuing to challenge them to grow.

Perhaps what impressed me most wasn't the variety of sports being offered.

It was the intentionality behind them.

Every adaptation, rule modification and adjustment shared the same purpose: preserving competition while removing unnecessary barriers to participation.

By the end of our conversation, my misconception about adaptive sports had completely changed. I walked into the interview believing adaptation meant lowering expectations. I walked away understanding that adaptation isn't about lowering expectations at all.

It's about removing barriers.

Challenges may still exist, but they no longer have to become limitations. Instead, athletes are given the opportunity to compete, grow and succeed based on what they bring to the game—not the obstacles they face getting there.

That perspective is perhaps best captured by the philosophy Kowalczyk shared at the beginning of our conversation.

"The talent comes first."

Everything else simply helps ensure the talent has the opportunity to be seen.

To learn more about Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation's Adaptive Sports Program, visit the department's Adaptive Sports webpage at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Sports-Athletics/Adaptive-Sportsor the Steve Gillmore Adaptive Recreation Center is located at 1600 Purdue Drive. 

Government Watch: County, City keep working toward joint 911 center

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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Written by Jami McLaughlin

City and county leaders have officially established a framework to consolidate their separate emergency operations into a unified 911 dispatch center following a joint resolution approved on July 8. The landmark agreement ends years of local negotiation and designates Cumberland County as the initial administrative lead for the merged system. This local compromise was accelerated by legislative pressure from the North Carolina General Assembly, which had introduced a bill threatening a mandated, county-led consolidation if the two governments failed to produce their own roadmap.

Under the newly approved structure, the unified Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) will be managed by a Joint Governance Board consisting of representatives from both the city and the county, including local sheriffs, police chiefs and fire chiefs to ensure balanced oversight and public accountability. An operations committee composed of public safety professionals will guide the daily functions and technical aspects of the integration. Both governments now have a 60-day window from the resolution date to finalize the comprehensive interlocal agreement that will dictate the final transition timeline and daily long-term operations. An independent third-party implementer will guide the transition to a joint center, according to officials.

City of Fayetteville

The council adopted a $327.3 million operating budget and a $117 million Capital Improvement Plan. Notably, this was achieved without any property tax increase, holding the rate at $0.4495 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Fayetteville also expanded its Can-Do Economic Development Programs to offer local businesses and property owners flexible financial tools focusing on corridor revitalization. The initiative features three options: the CORE grant for exterior improvements, the BOOST loan for property acquisition and renovation and the EDGE grant for larger redevelopment projects. 

Applications for these funding resources are reviewed four times a year. Eligible business owners can apply directly through the official City of Fayetteville Can-Do Programs portal during the following submission windows: 

• July 1–30

• October 1–30

• January 1–30

• May 1–30

Business owners interested in applying or learning more about available economic development resources can visit www.FayettevilleNC.gov/CanDoPrograms for program details, eligibility requirements and application information. 

Cumberland County

The commissioners have been active leading into the latter half of the year with key events and ongoing discussions, including: 

• In June, the Board enacted a six-month temporary moratorium to stall the construction of new data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations in unincorporated areas so officials can adequately craft new regulatory ordinances. 

• Board members unanimously adopted the $666.45 million budget (with a $408.26 million general fund). The budget maintains the current property tax rate of $0.499 per $100 of assessed valuation while still investing heavily in infrastructure, schools and emergency services. 

Commissioners are also scheduled to vote on a $121,500 economic development incentive package to help secure an international drone manufacturer's first United States production facility in the county, which would bring 162 jobs. The Fayetteville City Council approved a $121,500 grant for the facility, known as Project Odesa, in June. The project would be located at 223 Dedication Drive, off Black and Decker Road, in Fayetteville. 

In other news

Filing for the Cumberland County Board of Education is open until Aug. 7 at noon. There are three at-large seats open for the general election on Nov. 3. 

While a separate municipal board decision, Cumberland County Commissioner Henry Tyson, serving as the ABC Commission liaison, noted the Town of Stedman's July charter amendment to end a 1913 alcohol ban will be supported by the county's economic development tools.

North Carolina House and Senate

In July 2026, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a $34 billion state budget, which Governor Josh Stein signed into law. Lawmakers are currently in recess but will reconvene in Raleigh on July 27 to tackle pending policy bills and potential veto overrides.

The bipartisan Senate Bill 257 targets infrastructure and public sector relief, securing investments for Medicaid, Hurricane Helene recovery and Propel NC community college workforce programs. Public school teachers will receive their largest starting pay increase in nearly 50 years, while tens of thousands of state employees and law enforcement officers will see salary hikes and bonuses reflected retroactively in their upcoming paychecks. Also, the enacted legislation and budget provisions prohibit state agencies, K-12 public schools and community colleges from operating DEI offices and spending public funds on divisive initiatives.

And a fun state fact: in the North Carolina budget, the Moravian cookie was just named North Carolina’s official cookie! This crispy treat can be bought at the Junior League of Fayetteville’s Holly Day Fair the first weekend in November at the Crown!

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber

Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings, as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com. 

LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines names new executive director

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Written by John Riggio

LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines has recently named Katie Olsen as its new executive director as the Fayetteville-based Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) continues to grow and help older adults remain safe, independent, and connected in their own homes.

Olsen brings more than 14 years of healthcare experience to the role, including expertise in PACE operations, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. She has been part of LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines for more than six years, most recently serving as finance manager.

During her time with the program, Olsen worked closely with leaders and care teams across the organization to support growth, strengthen operations, and improve services for participants. She also helped lead the development of the North Carolina PACE Expansion Plan, supporting efforts to reach more older adults with coordinated, participant-centered care.

Before joining LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, Olsen served in leadership roles in long-term care and physician practice settings, including as interim executive director of a skilled nursing and assisted living community. Throughout her career, she has focused on building strong teams, improving processes, and supporting high-quality care.

“I was drawn to the PACE model of care because I value how it integrates clinical care, social support, and financial accountability to deliver truly coordinated, whole-person care,” Olsen said.

In her new role, Olsen will oversee all aspects of LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, including care delivery, daily operations, and long-term strategy.

With a strong foundation in place, Olsen will help guide the program as it continues to grow and serve more older adults throughout the community.

LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, part of Trinity Health PACE, provides medical care, therapy, social support, transportation, and other services through one coordinated care team. This unique model helps older adults remain independent and continue living safely at home while receiving the care they need.

To learn more about LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, call 910-483-4911 or visit lifestjosephofthepines.org.

Katie Olsen is the new Executive Director of the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly at LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines. Photo courtesy of John Riggio, LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines)