Photo courtesy of Asheville City Schools Foundation

ArtsAVL Announces 2026–27 Grassroots Arts Grants for 45 Local Arts Nonprofits

Local, state, and federal funding supports arts programming and operations across Buncombe County.

November 3, 2026 | ArtsAVL has awarded $220,846 in Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) grants to 45 nonprofit arts organizations across Buncombe County, providing critical support for local arts programming and operations. Thanks to funding from local, state, and federal partners, ArtsAVL was able to fund every eligible applicant this year.

For more than 45 years, ArtsAVL has administered the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program in Buncombe County, investing in the organizations that make arts and cultural experiences possible throughout our community.

Unlike many grant programs, GAP funding can be used for both programming and general operating expenses, giving organizations the flexibility to address their most pressing needs. This year’s awards will help sustain arts organizations, compensate local artists, and support creative experiences for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

“Arts organizations contribute so much to the life of our community, but the resources available to support their work don’t always reflect that value,” said ArtsAVL Executive Director Katie Cornell. “That’s why programs like this are so important. We’re able to provide flexible funding that organizations can put to work where it’s needed most. And this year, thanks to our funding partners, we were able to support every eligible applicant.”

The 2027 grants support a wide range of creative work throughout Buncombe County. The Asheville City Schools Foundation will bring professional artists into Pre-K through 12th grade classrooms through its TAPAS program, while the Southern Highland Craft Guild will celebrate Appalachian heritage through traditional music and craft demonstrations.

“The John R. Hayes High-Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps is part of my family’s history and Asheville’s history,” says Michael L Hayes, Executive Director of GAP recipient organization Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective. “I’ve seen firsthand how culture, creativity, and caring relationships help young people heal, grow, and become leaders. ArtsAVL’s support helps us carry that tradition forward and give more young people the opportunity to discover what they can achieve.”

Heidi Gruner, Program Director of Lamplight AVL says, “The GAP grant will allow us to continue providing free, accessible, neighborhood-wide programming through the East-West Asheville Art Walk, bringing opportunities to experience art into the places where community members live, work, shop, and gather. With the support of Arts AVL, we hope to strengthen West Asheville’s identity as a vibrant arts destination while supporting the artists, businesses, and community spaces that already contribute to its creative character.”

Other recipients include Open Hearts Art Center, which provides accessible arts programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Colaborativa La Milpa will offer free, multigenerational cultural arts programming to the Emma community through its member organization, Casa de Cultura; and the Asheville Symphony, which will present the 2027 Asheville Amadeus Festival, a 10-day celebration of arts and culture across the region.

Learn more about the Grassroots Arts Program and other ArtsAVL grant opportunities at artsavl.org/grants.

2026-2027 Grassroots Arts Program Grant Recipients