ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY

Overview

Closed | Next Cycle Opens June 24, 2024

Please Note: The grant information below was for the FY24 grant cycle and is subject to change. Check back closer to the opening date for 2024-2025 grant guidelines and resources.

Since 2018, the Arts Build Community grant supports innovative, arts-based projects that inspire diverse groups of participants to be more active, involved, and civically-engaged by creating together. Grants range from $1,000-2,500.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit.

Sponsored in part by

Interested in supporting more arts-based community projects? Click here to learn more.

WITH ADDITiONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

Pete & Cindy Perez, Robert & Karen Milnes, and Kaye & Todd Phillips

FY24 Arts Builds Community recipient: Shiloh Community Association’s Pollinator mural

FY24 Arts Builds Community recipient: Shiloh Community Association’s Pollinator mural

Application Process

Description & Eligibility

Organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and be physically located in Buncombe County. Priority is given to projects based in low-income neighborhoods and communities in need.

The arts must be centered in the proposed project. Funds may be used to cover expenses such as art supplies, professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music and equipment rental.

Funds are for projects taking place from July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024. This can be a reimbursement for projects occurring during this funding period that have already taken place or for projects that have not yet occurred. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2024.

Questions? Email Rebecca Lynch at rebecca@artsavl.org

2023-24 Timeline
  • May 1, 2023- Application opens
  • June 15, 2023- Application deadline
  • Early July 2023- Awards Announced
  • Late July/ Early August 2023- Funds distributed
  • June 30, 2024- Final report due
Application & Support Resources

Application Link

This grant is now closed. (Question PDF) Deadline to apply was June 15 at 11:59 pm.

Support Resources

Grant Guidelines (PDF)
Overview for Applicants (Video | Slides)

If you need help with your application or have specific questions, email Rebecca Lynch at rebecca@artsavl.org. No phone calls, please. If you would like to discuss your application, please email us to set up an appointment.

2023-24 Award Recipients

Press Release

The American Myth Center: will develop its show, The 3 Little Pigs and the Red Line, for touring performances in Buncombe County libraries

Asheville Community Theatre: will continue its partnership with Cenzontle, a local language justice organization, for a live Spanish translation of The 39 Steps

Asheville Symphony Orchestra: will use funding to support its youth education program, Young People’s Concerts, programmed for Buncombe County and Asheville City fifth graders

Black Wall Street: will develop and realize an art installation located at 346 Depot St., featuring title deeds and images of houses and businesses previously located in the historic Southside

Delta House: will provide low-income students and adults with hands-on activities culturally significant to art, history, and music connecting past, present, and future

James Vester Miller Trail: will continue to support the creation of a traveling mural painted by local artist Jenny Pickens honoring James Vester Miller

LEAF Global Arts: will support a Visiting Artist Residency at Emma Elementary with Las Cafeteras, culminating in a student performance at LEAF Retreat

Melina Ida Chopko: will produce a multi-racial show at Different Wrld featuring songwriters and comedians

North Carolina Stage Company: will restart its Community Engagement Tour, working to build relationships in the community by bringing performances and educational workshops to diverse locations, including schools, veterans’ homes, correctional facilities, and transitional housing facilities

OpenDoors Asheville: funding will provide arts access to low-income students of color by paying for glassblowing, 2D art, pottery and filmmaking classes

Playground Stage Children’s Theatre: will produce the Summer Fairy Musical, a collaborative, full-length show featuring children and their families

Rueda de Casino: with Casa Soul, will continue to offer a Cuban dance and music series that promotes dance expansion, cultural awareness, fun and community building

Shiloh Community Garden: will create a mural of wildflowers and insects on their farm shed with the help of a paid team of volunteers and youth, and will finish the Historic Figures of Shiloh Series

STM Multimedia: will fund The Shooting Range Project, which aims to enhance and expand the knowledge of photojournalism and the power of photography to youth ages 13-18

Story Parlor: funds will support the Story/Arts residency, which uplifts the voices of local artists from underrepresented communities by providing them a platform for their stories

Under Wing Therapeutic Services: will use funds to host Makerspace, a therapeutic, pop-up community arts events for autistic children and families

Warrior Moms: will fund Warrior Women Rising, a storytelling healing production tour that creates an authentic and transparent space for BIPOC women to share, heal, and create art, culminating in an event hosted at Black Wall Street

Wortham Center for the Performing Arts: will develop PATRIOT, a residency in partnership with Black Box Theater and veterans from Veteran Treatment Court and Brothers and Sisters Like These, to serve local veterans and military personnel

Youth Artists Empowered: will install raised garden beds and mural art in collaboration with Southside Community Youth in a project of creative placemaking at the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Center

Youth OUTright: will purchase art supplies for its monthly in-person meet-ups for Queer and Trans youth