Roch Smith & Greensboro Art Hub a Q&A by Roch Smith

1) Personal Bio/What is Greensboro Arts Hub?

Roch Smith, Jr. has been building websites and creating content since the beginning of the world wide web — almost always with a local focus.

In 2020, Roch started Greensboro Arts Hub as an online portal to the area arts scene. It is a platform of user-provided content featuring artists, performers, events and organizations.

In 2025, he formed a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization to bring more voices and expertise to Greensboro Arts Hub. Under the guidance of the non-profit's board of directors, GreensboroArtsHub 2.0 has endeavored a ground-up rebuild of the online platform. The new site is more lively, more engaging, looks better and is easier to use. It also strives to provide a more complete alternative to big tech platforms where attention is manipulated, activity is monitored and feeds are polluted with distraction. Greensboro Arts Hub is calmer, more focused and self-directed. It is a better experience for local arts.

Springboard is our forray into the "real world" and I hope it is just the start. There is good energy in Greensboro's arts scene, I think Greensboro Arts Hub has a future supporting it and fanning the flames. This is an initiative funded by a Guilford County Community-base organization grant. For artists and performers who have ever had an idea for an exhibit, performance, showcase or workshop and thought, "I could use a little help", Springboard can help. A solo performance? A collaborative exhibition? A skill-sharing workshop? A pop-up event? Whatever your creative project—Springboard may be able to help you get it off the ground.

Springboard

What Springboard provides:

Funding help — Up to $500 toward your project expenses

Logistics — Help finding venues, accessing volunteers, ticketing, and insurance

Planning & Admin — Budget guidance, project planning, fiscal sponsorship through our 501(c)(3) status

Guidance — Connecting you with experienced arts professionals

Marketing — Publicity through our network and digital channelsGreensboro Arts Hub realizes that not every project needs everything, so we let applicants tell us what they need and we tailor support.And it's really easy. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, so your inspiration doesn't have to fit someone else's timeline.

Apply online — anytime.

How It Works:

1. Apply online (takes 15–20 minutes)

2. We review your project (7–10 days)

3. We partner with you to bring it to lifeLearn more and apply here: https://www.greensboroartshub.com/springboard/

2) What/Who do you credit for your successes at Greensboro Art Hub?

There have been a lot of things that came together to make Greensboro Arts Hub a success. Going way back, there were teachers in the public schools who instilled in me a joy of learning. They didn't just educate me (although they did a good job of that), they showed me the joy one can find in learning itself — exploration, critical thinking and, eventually sometimes, mastery and competence. Those traits in me continue to this day and they make me well suited for keeping pace with changing technology.

I majored in Theatre in college and that gave me an appreciation for the craft, diligence and skill that go into masterful art. It also gave me insight into human character and genuine communication. Although I am still somewhat of an introvert, I'm comfortable talking to people. With the support and encouragement of teachers, family, friends and colleagues, I've learned that when you have confidence in your abilities, an authentic understanding of the world and you are not afraid of people, you can do a lot -- the world really becomes open and bright with possibility; then it's just a matter of deciding where you want to direct your energies.

3) What are some of the challenges from your beginnings until now?

After I graduated from college, I very much wanted to be an actor. I moved to Atlanta and, with that as my home base, I tooled around the southeast auditioning for commercials, stage plays and the occasional movie. It was fun and I got enough roles to keep me inspired for a while, but I paid the bills by telemarketing, waiting tables and cleaning carpets. I eventually started to doubt that I was going to make it as an actor. It was a challenge to come to grips with that and it took me a few years to find something else that would capture my imagination and hold my interest. Then, along came the Internet.

Another challenge I faced is not unique to me, it's one I hear from artists and entrepreneurs often: it's the walled gardens. You have a good idea and honest enthusiasm, but when you approach people who should be able to help — whose self-interest might even compel them to help — you are met instead with resistance. It can be polite indifference or a more sinister intentional deceit. At it's core, what you are encountering are people who are threatened by or don't understand what they think you represent. I've had people string me along or just blatantly reject me for reasons that were completely bogus.

In the early days of my web building career, I had a local media mogul tell me: "I don't need email, I have a fax machine."

People with ideas will always encounter walled gardens. Knock once or twice, then move on. Persistence is a virtue, but I don't fall into the trap of feeling like I have to knock down every barrier or change every mind. It's far more productive to go around the gate keepers if they just don't get it. I'm always on the lookout for the next yes, and I don't obsess with the naysayers and sourpusses. I've always been a pretty optimistic person, but now I try even harder myself to say yes when I can. And if I can't, I at least try to be encouraging.

4) Where do you see Greensboro Art Hub in the future?

I feel good about Greensboro Arts Hub's future. We have some solid regular contributors inlcuding the Marsahall Muse Gallery, The High Point Arts Council, TAG the Gallery at Congdon Yards, Center for Visual Artists, Creative Aging Network NC, Carolina Theatre and the ContinentalCLUB. We also have over 350 regsitered indiiduals on the platform who add content about their shows and activities.

Greensboro Arts Hub is at www.GreensboroArtsHub.com
Roch Smith can be reached at roch@greensboroartshub.com