Carly Jones

Carly P. Jones is an arts executive leader, cultural organizer and performing artist hailing from Raleigh, NC. She was recently selected as the new President + CEO of Artspace, an arts nonprofit that offers the Triangle region accessible arts education, artist studio space, residencies and exhibitions in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Prior to that, Jones was the Senior Program Director for Artists & Organizations at the NC Arts Council, where she oversaw the statewide organization grants and individual artist resources for artists across all disciplines. Jones has spearheaded statewide work surrounding arts and cultural equity, and in 2020 she was chosen to be a part of the inaugural cohort of the South Arts Emerging Leaders of Color program.

Jones attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned degrees in vocal performance, Black music history, and arts management. As a performing artist, Carly seeks to elevate social consciousness through the arts. She is a versatile artist, performing in opera, musical theatre, as well as in classic and contemporary theatre on stages throughout the region. She most enjoys working on new works with playwrights and musicians uplifting stories of those that have traditionally been silenced and surrounding current issues.

Throughout the community, she has has used her creativity and programming skills to lead and assist social justice efforts such as the Women's March on Raleigh and community building efforts such as The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County. Jones is a connector and has a personal mission to support artists of all backgrounds and cultivate authentic partnerships within communities throughout her home city and beyond.