Corporate support and individual philanthropy built Winston-Salem into an unparalleled arts center. The first arts council in America was established in Winston-Salem, and a strong commitment to the arts continues to this day. The area arts council is one of only a handful in the country that raises more than $1 million a year. It uses this money to support a large number of local arts organizations.

As "the city of the arts," Winston-Salem offers outstanding performances in opera, orchestral and chamber music, jazz, ballet and contemporary dance, and theater. In addition, the area's galleries and museums boast numerous exceptional exhibits. Plus, the first Friday of each month is set aside for the Downtown Arts District's First Friday Gallery Hop. Set against a backdrop of murals, the district is home to numerous working studios, galleries, and shops, and it is the center of many cultural activities. During the gallery hop, residents can wander in and out of the many open galleries and shops in the area.