About the Endowment

The Kate Dean Endowment for the Arts of the Albemarle fund was created in loving memory of Kate Dean. Her love of the arts inspired the establishment of this endowment in support for Arts of the Albemarle’s children’s visual art programs. The fund is managed by the North Carolina Community Foundation that serves as a perpetual source of support for Arts of the Albemarle’s children’s visual art programs. Arts of the Albemarle (AOA) is a vibrant and inspiring art center nestled in the heart of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The AOA School of the Arts, (SOA), believes in nurturing creativity and artistic talent in their community’s youth through classes serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Each year, the endowment supports arts projects for local school-aged children, including past initiatives like Kids Splash, a community mural project, lantern-making, and the Kate Dean Color Run.