When Tech Companies Get Artsy: Net Friends Theatre Shows Why Local Matters

When Tech Companies Get Artsy: Net Friends Theatre Shows Why Local Matters

Let's be honest for a second. When you think about a managed IT services provider, a fancy theatre naming rights deal probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But that's exactly what happened in Durham, North Carolina, where Net Friends — a local tech company — became the naming sponsor for the theatre at the Durham Arts Council.

And honestly? I think this is kind of beautiful.

More Than Just a Sign on the Door

The theatre is now officially called the Net Friends Theatre, and while yes, there's probably a nice sign somewhere with their logo, this partnership goes way deeper than branding. According to the announcement, Net Friends has been actively supporting the Durham Arts Council's annual CenterFest festival for over a decade. This isn't some big corporation swooping in with a check — this is a company that's been quietly invested in local arts for years.

The theatre itself is pretty impressive, by the way. With 174 seats, it's the larger of the two theatres at the Arts Council, and it's apparently in use just about every single week of the year. Performances, rehearsals, art classes, community events — you name it. We're talking about a space that genuinely serves the entire Durham community, from first-graders on field trips to professional artists perfecting their craft.

The Building Has Stories to Tell

Here's something that really caught my attention: the venue isn't just some generic black-box theatre space. The Durham Arts Council calls the Royal Center for the Arts home, and this building has a past.

Built in 1906 as Central High School, it later served as Durham's City Hall before becoming what it is today. That's three completely different lives for one building. Now owned by the City of Durham with the Arts Council serving as its steward, the space houses not just the Council's offices but 15 other Durham arts organizations. We're talking galleries, dance studios, clay studios, practice rooms — it's essentially a creative ecosystem under one roof.

The Durham Arts Council itself is no spring chicken either. Founded in 1954, it's the second-oldest arts council in the entire United States. That's remarkable when you think about it. For over 70 years, this organization has been championing the arts in one form or another.

Why Should Tech Companies Care About Arts?

Great question. And honestly, it's one I think more tech companies should be asking themselves.

Net Friends has been around since 1997, starting on downtown Durham's Main Street. That's nearly three decades of operating in the same community. Their CEO, John Snyder, put it perfectly in the announcement:

"Everything worth celebrating starts with people gathered in a room together. Whether it's a performance, rehearsal, or first-grade field trip, Durham Arts Council has been gathering people and filling the room for decades."

That's a refreshing take, isn't it? No buzzwords about "digital transformation" or "synergy." Just a straightforward acknowledgment that human connection matters, and spaces that facilitate that connection are worth supporting.

Katie Wyatt, the Executive Director of the Durham Arts Council, hit on something equally important when she talked about "creating access to an affordable stage downtown." Arts spaces — especially affordable ones — are becoming increasingly rare in urban areas as development pressures mount. When local businesses step up to help preserve these spaces, they're doing more than charity work. They're investing in the cultural fabric of their community.

A Model Worth Following

Look, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that every tech company needs to sponsor a theatre. That would be ridiculous. But what Net Friends is doing represents something smaller companies in particular can learn from: showing up consistently, building relationships over time, and finding ways to support the community that go beyond transactional relationships.

This isn't about getting their name on a building for the sake of marketing (though I'm sure they'll take the publicity). It's about recognizing that a thriving arts scene makes a community better for everyone — including tech companies trying to attract talent and build lasting relationships with clients and partners.

The tech world can sometimes feel pretty disconnected from the "real world" — whatever that means. Stories like this one remind us that the best companies understand they're part of something larger than their products or services. They're neighbors, community members, and stakeholders in the places where they operate.

So here's to Net Friends, the Durham Arts Council, and everyone who believes that a room full of people experiencing art together is still worth fighting for.

Sometimes the best tech solution isn't a software update — it's showing up for your community.

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What do you think? Should more tech companies be supporting local arts and culture? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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