Artist in Residence

Bringing Art to Life in Your Library

Through Creative Collaborations: Artist in Residence, Cumberland County Public Library is proud to launch a rotating artist in residence program that will travel to all eight library locations over the course of eight months. This program brings live art-making into our libraries and opens up new opportunities for community engagement with the creative process.

Meet Kia Love, Our First Artist in Residence!

The Library proudly welcomes textile artist Kia Love as its inaugural Artist in Residence. Through hands-on workshops and community-inspired creations, Kia will weave stories, spark connection and celebrate creativity across all eight library branches. Her residency will culminate in Woven Connections, an exhibit honoring the voices and heritage of Cumberland County.

If you would like to meet Kia and talk about her experience, visit during Open Studio Hours*!
Headquarters Library
1st Floor, Conference Room 1
Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

*Hours may vary depending on artist availability and programs

Resources

Weaving Stories: Essential Reads for Textile Art Enthusiasts

Textile Arts: A Comprehensive Unit of Study

Curated open education resource for Cumberland County Schools by Kia Love

What Is the Artist in Residence Program?

The Artist in Residence program invites a local artist to create and work directly inside our library locations. Library customers of all ages will be able to observe the artistic process, ask questions, and engage through open studio hours and hands-on art programs.

Each artist residency includes:

• A dedicated creative workspace in a library
• Open studio hours, where customers can drop in and observe
• A series of free, public art programs for youth and adults
• A culminating exhibit of the artist’s work at the end of the residency
• A lasting contribution to the library’s Special Collections Archive

Community Impact

In its first year, Creative Collaborations will offer:

• 320 hours of open studio time across eight library locations
• 14 new art programs for children, teens and adults
• Collaborations with Title I high schools in Cumberland County, including:
  • Classroom art supplies
  • Artist visits and mentorship
  • Enrichment materials for art educators

Contact Us

For questions regarding the Creative Collaborations program, please email us 

This grant is made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-259195-OLS-25).