Town guide · Coastal Plain
Leland
Brunswick County's most populous town, just west of Wilmington across the Brunswick River, incorporated in 1989.
34.2° N · -78.03° W · Brunswick County
FRay Arts IndexGrade · see the report card ↓The town
About Leland
Leland began as a small settlement where Village Road crossed the railroad lines. It is named for Leland Adams, the nephew of the first postmaster, and its spot near the Brunswick River made it an early transportation center for travelers crossing the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers. Residents rejected incorporation in 1979. After neighboring Belville tried to annex the area, Leland became a town in 1989. It has been governed by a mayor and council ever since. Today it is one of the fastest growing towns in the state and part of the Wilmington metro area, lying directly west of downtown Wilmington. Its three official parks are Westgate Park, Cypress Cove Park and Founders Park. Source: Wikipedia
Events in Leland
On in town this week
Every art form on one list, each in its own color. Sample events — illustrative dates
All Leland eventsNothing posted for the next few weeks yet.
Make it a weekend
More towns in Coastal Plain
Ray Arts Foundation · North Carolina
Report Card
Ray Arts Index · 2026
- Town
- Leland
- County
- Brunswick County
- Standing
- #55 of 60 graded towns
| Subject | Weight | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Local government supportExtra weightArts budget, arts office, grants, parks & rec arts | 18% | D |
| Arts educationExtra weightSchool district arts programs, arts schools and camps | 12% | C |
| Arts placesVenues, museums and galleries | 18% | F |
| ActivityArts events each month | 13.5% | F |
| FestivalsActive arts festivals | 13.5% | F |
| Arts organizationsArts nonprofits and their budgets | 13.5% | F |
| Creative economyArts businesses and working artists | 7% | F |
| HeritageLong-running arts institutions and history groups | 4.5% | Inc. |
Overall
F
HonorsNone yet
Marking scaleA 80+ · B 65+ · C 50+ (national typical) · D 35+ · F below 35 · Inc. not yet measured
Teacher’s remarks
The Ray Arts Index gives extra weight to local government support and arts education, because public investment in the arts, and in teaching it, is how creative communities grow.
For community leadersWhere Leland has the most room to grow, and the next steps that would raise its grade. Show the breakdownHide the breakdown
Where Leland has the most room to grow
- Arts places (grade F)
- Festivals (grade F)
- Activity (grade F)
Next steps
- Ask venues, museums and galleries to claim their listings and add seating capacity.
- List every recurring arts festival with its dates, so it counts.
- Ask venues and arts groups to post their dates or an events feed, so activity is measured, not missed.
- Add founding years to long-running venues, festivals and arts groups.
- Request the full Leland advisory report from the Ray Arts Foundation.
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