Photo by Sara Carson
After working out of Greensboro since its inception in 1972, the North Carolina Humanities Council (NCHC) has decided to move its headquarters to UNC Charlotte’s City Center campus.
NCHC is “a statewide, non-profit agency that provides advocacy, grants and activities to support understanding of the humanities, especially in literature, history, art, music and philosophy,” said Neva Specht, chair of NCHC’s Board of Trustees.
The organization strives to encourage residents throughout North Carolina to fill their entire lives with learning, to not just stop upon graduation from high school or college. They do this by trying to create a common understanding of the different humanities among North Carolinians.
Although the organization has offices located throughout the state, they believe the new location of their headquarters will further facilitate their organization’s mission by giving the council additional access and visibility to current and potential partners within the community of Charlotte.
“Charlotte is the state’s most dynamic metropolitan market, increasingly cosmopolitan and home of vibrant business, education and cultural sectors,” said Specht. “We are excited about being there and having access to its ample resources and opportunities.”
In regards to the headquarters’ previous location, Specht said the council values the long and joyous relationship it had built with the Greensboro community, and rather than sever the ties it has with that region, it hopes to maintain those ties and form more throughout the state. NCHC will remain a statewide agency and continue to provide human initiatives in all 100 counties throughout North Carolina.
The official move date from Greensboro to Charlotte was on Jan. 2. Although currently only the executive director has relocated, NCHC plans to hire new employees who either currently reside in Charlotte, or would be willing to make the move.
The other four staff members who worked in the headquarters department declined offers to relocate, and no longer work with the organization although they will receive severance packages.
“The staff has been great to work with and have been wonderful advocates for the council,” Specht said. “I applaud each of them for their work, which has brought great benefits to our state and its citizens.”
Although the organization does not currently have any type of partnership with UNC Charlotte other than sharing property with them, they do have hopes to change that in the future.
“We look forward to growing our relationship with UNCC,” said Specht. “The university has been very welcoming.”
Work at the organization’s headquarters mostly consists of working with grants, administration, communications and development. One plus side to the new location is the elevation of these everyday tasks. NCHC will now be able to host events, panels, invite keynote speakers and host their quarterly board of trustee meetings. The staff will additionally be able to meet with project directors, donors and teachers.