Arts Business Relief Grant Award Announcement

Arts AVL Awards $680,000 in Arts Business Relief Grants Across Western North Carolina

Funding Helps Stabilize 136 Arts Businesses Recovering from Hurricane Helene

May 14, 2025 | Asheville N.C – ArtsAVL has awarded $680,000 in Arts Business Relief Grants to 136 arts businesses across 19 Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Each grant recipient received $5,000 to help recover from physical damage and economic loss caused by the storm.

The grants support for-profit and nonprofit arts businesses in the craft, visual, and performing arts sectors, including music. Many of these businesses—including theaters, galleries, studios, and arts nonprofits—faced major setbacks after Helene hit during the region’s peak tourism and arts season. These funds are helping stabilize operations, rehire staff, relaunch programming, and reinvest in community outreach.

“The creative sector in WNC was already operating on tight margins before the storm,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of ArtsAVL. “This funding is a lifeline—helping businesses retain staff, restart programming, and rebuild essential infrastructure. It’s not just about recovery—it’s about preserving the cultural and economic heartbeat of our region.”

Major support for this grant was provided by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the City of Asheville.

“Vital arts businesses across Western North Carolina were deeply affected by Hurricane Helene,” said CFWNC Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz. “The creative sector is an economic engine and essential to our sense of place and quality of life. The Arts Business Relief Grants aim to address the economic impacts, including business interruption, income loss and job retention, for creative workers across the region. We are grateful to ArtsAVL for making this support possible.”

“Our artists are a cherished and vital part of not only our economy, but also our culture here in Asheville. Through surveys and other community engagement, we heard the same from you,” said City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “That’s why I, along with my fellow council members, am so pleased to reallocate some of the City’s public arts fund to provide critical support to Asheville’s arts community as part of our Helene Recovery efforts for our city and the people who make it special. “

Quick Stats:

  • 136 grants awarded across 19 counties
  • 70% of recipients are in Buncombe County; 60% in the City of Asheville
  • 61% for-profit, 39% nonprofit
  • 58% experienced both physical damage and economic injury
  • Average economic loss: $90,255 per business
  • Average physical damage: $53,848
  • Fields supported: Craft (34%), Visual Arts (35%), Performing Arts (31%)
  • 30% of grantees are minority-led organizations

Grants are being used to rehire staff, cover rent and utilities, replace equipment, restart classes and performances, and support displaced artists with studio space and career opportunities. These investments are already helping to restore local vibrancy and rebuild tourism-driven economies.

“We couldn’t continue to be more grateful for all of ArtsAVL’s efforts on behalf of the arts community! This grant could not be more timely or appreciated in its intent. We know it is long hours, a lot of advocacy, and a multitude of diligent efforts that go unseen by the rest of us. Thank you all again for the work you are doing to support all sectors of the arts!” – Arts Business Relief Grant recipient

This marks ArtsAVL’s second major relief program in response to Hurricane Helene. In October 2024, the organization awarded $750,000 in Emergency Relief Grants to 1,500 individual artists. To date, ArtsAVL has reinvested over $1.4 million into the region’s creative sector for post-disaster recovery.