THE MISSION
To empower marginalized artists, cultivate cross-cultural spaces for community healing, and provide a vital gathering space for creative expression and social connection in an era of diminishing third spaces and religious engagement.
NorthStar Church of the Arts is a multidisciplinary artist led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Housed in a historic church originally designed for the deaf community, our organization is a sanctuary for marginalized creatives.
NorthStar stands as an illuminating nexus that expands its historical roots, providing holistic material support for artists and cultivating a safe haven for cross-cultural collaboration and community engagement.
In the face of rapid gentrification, we are dedicated to ensuring that Black, working-class, and LGBTQIA+ artists maintain a thriving cultural enclave in the heart of Durham. Through innovative programming and strategic partnerships, NorthStar goes beyond traditional artistic support, offering a community hub where working artists can flourish creatively while making an impact on Durham’s social landscape.
Music
NorthStar’s performing arts programming brings diverse voices to the forefront, featuring concerts from local artists and series like Jazz Age. We create spaces where music ignites inspiration and cultivates connection.
Visual Art
Explore NorthStar’s dynamic visual art programs, from the Spotlight Exhibition Series to artist workshops and community projects like our public mural initiative. We uplift artists and stories that provoke thought and celebrate the creativity of our community
Movement
Reconnect with yourself and others through NorthStar’s movement offerings, including yoga, dance, and somatic workshops. Our classes are rooted in inclusivity and accessibility, prioritizing movement for all bodies.
Community Events
NorthStar is a community hub that connects people working toward a better Durham. From sliding scale rentals and commercial events to recurring community gatherings, we bring people together in ways that matter.
Sunday Service
Sunday Service is the heart of NorthStar; a monthly gathering where art, reflection, and community intertwine. Join us as we create sacred space for healing together.
NorthStar is funded by a community of generous donors, foundation support, and city, state, and federal grants.
Our founder Phil Freelon believed that “art is the most powerful force in the universe,” and our mission is rooted in that mantra.
By embracing our unique history and adapting to the evolving needs of Durham, NorthStar is a testament to the potential for inclusivity, equity, and social change through the unifying language of art.
Our name Northstar comes from the quest for freedom by runaway enslaved Africans. With a mixture of fear and faith they searched the night sky for the brightest star at the bottom of the Little Dipper.
That bright star pointed north: out of the darkness of racism and into the light and promise of freedom and justice.
This journey was articulated through the African American spiritual "Follow the Drinking Gourd," which merged music with faith to identify a path towards physical and spiritual emancipation.
Northstar’s Statement of Beliefs
We believe that elevating the arts in all of their forms will serve the spiritual needs of our creative community.
We believe that artists have the power to engage, uplift and heal communities.
We believe that centering the voices of BIPOC & LGBTQIA artists is a sacred and vital act.
We believe that the creative process is a form of spiritual practice.
We believe in celebrating, through worship, the legacies of patron saints of Durham including, Baba Chuck Davis, Pauli Murray, Margaret Nygard, and Ann Atwater.
