Featuring the art of Cleveland County students K-12. 

Participating schools: Bethware Elementary, Boiling Springs Elementary, Burns High School, Burns Middle School, Casar Elementary, Cleveland Early College High School, Crest High School, Crest Middle School, East Elementary, Fallston Elementary, Graham Elementary, Grover Elementary, James Love Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Kings Mountain High School, Kings Mountain Middle School, Kings Mountain Intermediate School, Marion Elementary, North Elementary, Pinnacle Classical Academy, Shelby High School, Shelby Intermediate School, Shelby Middle School, Springmore Elementary, Township #3 Elementary, Union Elementary, Washington Elementary, and West Elementary 

Join us for this self-guided tour of lovely outdoor living spaces across the county and see the outside "artistry" that has been created. 

The Cleveland County Artist Competition provides local artists with an opportunity to showcase their work and compete for prizes and recognition. This competition typically includes a variety of media, such as painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and other visual arts.

The competition is open to artists 18+ of all skill levels, and it provides a great opportunity for artists to network and connect with other artists in the community. It also offers a chance for art lovers to discover new talent and appreciate the diverse range of art created by local artists.

If you are an artist or an art lover in the Shelby area, the Cleveland County Artist Competition is a great event. Whether you are entering the competition or simply attending as a spectator, you are sure to be inspired and impressed by the quality and variety of art on display!

AOS is a music festival by and for lovers of the arts and music. It began as a local festival, and by word of mouth has grown into a respected regional event. AOS now attracts headliner acts from the national scene. In spite of being bigger and better, it retains its hometown charm. 

The Art of Sound is not your typical music “festival” in fact it almost has the feel of a weekend concert series. Our festival supports local and regional musicians and serves as a gift to the community from the Arts Council as it is FREE! 

The festival is in uptown Shelby, N.C., the home of Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson. It is held on an outdoor stage on the historic court square and is also occasionally nestled in several indoor venues that afford the listener an up-close experience with the artists. Jack Lawrence once said it reminded him of the European festivals he and Doc used to play.     

AOS prides itself on a presentation of a variety of traditional music styles. You might hear bluegrass or jazz then Cajun, county rock, or old time later. Like MerleFest, there are often spontaneous moments of improvisation in jam sessions you won’t hear elsewhere. 

In an effort to not only support local musicians, the Arts Council encourages folks to dine at the many fine eating establishments in Uptown Shelby.  

Our goal is to showcase thought-provoking films and offer a venue where movie lovers who appreciate independent vision can celebrate this unique art form.

The Cleveland County Arts Council is pleased to announce that on July 23-26, 2025 the 26th Annual “Real to Reel International Film Festival” will once again open its doors to embrace filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Located in the heart of North Carolina between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is right in the middle of it all. The mission of the Real to Reel International Film Festival is to offer a forum for independent film, video, and multi-media artists from around the world to showcase their talents and expose the works of these artists to our region.

Visitors to the Joy Performance Center - 202 S. Railroad Ave., Kings Mountain, a renovated classic theater from the 1940’s in Kings Mountain, NC can expect to find a great lineup of films from all over the world, a chance to talk with many of the filmmakers and of course a concession stand with all those goodies you would expect to find.

Fun family friendly chalk event on the court square monetary awards Fun for ALL! Registration begins at 8:30am, drawing ends at Noon, judging begins immediately after drawing ends and awards will be announced when the judges are finished deliberating.
You will receive a box of chalk with your registration but you can bring your own chalk too.