HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-06-2025; 12-7 - Information Item - Memorandum - Uproar Festival of Public Art 2025 1
MEMORANDUM J'
To: Board of County Commissioners From: Katie Murray, DirectorCCO)
Date: October 23, 2025
RE: Uproar Festival of Public Art 2025 ORANGE COUNTY
p ARTS ALLIANCE
The 2nd Uproar Festival of Public Art was held August 1-23, 2025, across downtown Hillsborough, Carrboro, and Chapel
Hill.As the only festival of its kind in North Carolina, Uproar was designed to:
• Boost small businesses during a slow season through increased visitor spending
• Spotlight Orange County with a vibrant arts experience
• Offer a free, accessible event for all visitors
Based on 2023 feedback,the 2025 festival improved artist support and logistics, resulting in strong success. While total
participation is hard to measure—due to open access, lack of registration, and the multi-week, multi-town format—key
metrics show clear growth.
VISITORS
• 7,604 votes cast through the Uproar voting app: 373%increase over 2023 (NOTE: many participants do not vote
for a variety of reasons.The number of votes cast does not represent all participants.)
• 1,252 visitors to the Uproar Welcome Centers: 52%increase over 2023
• 1,765 Saturday trolley riders in Chapel Hill/Carrboro: 121%increase over 2023
• 4,098 listeners of the Soundcloud audio descriptions offered alongside each artwork
OUTREACH
• 30 editorial stories in local/state media outlets, including the News& Observer,WRAL, and an interview with
Katie Murray on "Due South" on WUNC
• 65,543 visitors to uproarfestnc.com from mid-July through August
• 39,014 views of the 2025 Uproar Google Map; 5,000 printed maps
• 3,295,348 impressions of social media ads with 22,382 total clicks.The highest number of respondents were
females between the ages of 35-44.
• 560,946 impressions of internet ads. Largest audiences (outside of Orange County): Raleigh, Greensboro,
Winston-Salem, Durham, Burlington.
IMPACT
• 53%of Uproar expenses($97,934) paid Orange County businesses and individuals
• 71% of Uproar expenses($131,212) paid local creative industry workers
• 92% of Uproar artists would recommend participating in Uproar to their fellow artists (up from 83%in 2023)
• 69.2%of business respondents experienced "somewhat to significant" increase in foot traffic (up from 57%in
2023)
• 61.5%of business respondents experienced "somewhat to significant" increase in sales (up from 50%in 2023)
• 53.8%of business respondents said Uproar brought new customers (up from 23%in 2023)
• 100%of business respondents feel Uproar is a positive addition to our community(up from 86%in 2023)
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"It was wonderful! In our opinion, this is one of the best events and brings so many eyes to Hillsborough, when so
many of them are usually on Chapel Hill and Carborro."
-Downtown Hillsborough business owner
"This is my families favorite art event in the area. it allows us to explore each town and creates memories and
discussions."
-Downtown Chapel Hill business owner
"Downtown was much more lively throughout the week during a time it is usually very slow."
-Downtown Hillsborough business owner
"I thought it was a fantastic event! I have done Artprize before and I feel like this is just like a smaller version that
feels just as professional and has just as amazing art."
-2025 participating artist
CHALLENGES
• Fundraising: Economic strain and post-storm recovery made fundraising difficult.After the July 7 flooding of the
Eno Arts Mill from Chantal,the focus of the community and consequently, donations, shifted to storm relief.As
a result of these challenges,the towns each contributed an extra $5K (totaling$13K each), and the County filled
the remaining gap.The Orange County Arts Alliance raised $84,505 in private support, but increased public
backing from non-County partners is needed going forward.
• Town Support: Support levels varied by town. In Chapel Hill, issues included ordinances, unexpected
construction, and signage and communication challenges. Future discussions are needed to confirm Uproar's
priority status across all towns.
• Logistics: Chantal struck just two weeks before installation, damaging OCAC facilities and creating uncertainty
about the festival's future. Despite setbacks, partners and staff rallied to move forward—working tirelessly from
July 7-21 to ensure Uproar happened, providing a much-needed boost for the community.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: Uproar supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
o OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the
community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.)
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
o OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events for residents
and visitors.
o OBJECTIVE 4. Provide resources to small, creative, and agro-businesses that add character and quality of
life to our community to attract employers, employees, and visitors.