One Year Later: Survey Offers New Insights into Arts Business Recovery
One year after Hurricane Helene, ArtsAVL’s follow-up survey shows a creative sector that has largely reopened but continues to face uneven economic recovery and ongoing operational challenges.
ASHEVILLE, NC (July 2026) —ArtsAVL has released its 2025–2026 Grant Impact Report, highlighting a year of significant investment in the creative community. During the fiscal year, ArtsAVL awarded 235 grants totaling $1,094,956 to 210 artists, nonprofit organizations, schools, creative businesses, and community projects across Buncombe County and Western North Carolina through six grant programs.
The report reflects both ArtsAVL’s longstanding commitment to supporting the arts and the expanded role the organization has played in helping the region recover from Hurricane Helene. In addition to awarding 170 grants totaling $429,956 through its annual grant programs, ArtsAVL launched the first round of the Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant, investing an additional $665,000 in 65 nonprofit arts organizations across 12 Western North Carolina counties.
This year’s funding reached 145 artists and organizations, including 44 first-time recipients. Nearly half of all funding supported projects outside Asheville city limits, 78% benefited underserved communities—the highest percentage in ArtsAVL’s history—and 37% supported culturally responsive programming. Across the grant programs, investments strengthened arts education, expanded access to community arts experiences, supported artist career development, sustained nonprofit arts organizations, and helped organizations continue their recovery and service to the region.
This month, ArtsAVL celebrated these accomplishments by gathering with 2025–2026 grant recipients, donors, funders, and community partners for its annual Grantee Celebration at Embassy Suites Asheville Downtown. The event recognized the artists and organizations whose work has enriched communities throughout the region while celebrating the funders and supporters who make these investments possible.
“Our grant programs are about much more than funding individual projects,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of ArtsAVL. “They’re investments in the people, organizations, and creative ideas that strengthen our communities, support local economies, and ensure the arts continue to thrive across Western North Carolina.”
The full 2025–2026 Grant Impact Report includes stories from grant recipients, program highlights, funding statistics, and a look at the lasting impact these investments are making throughout the region. It also includes the 2026–2027 grant calendar for artists and organizations planning to apply in the coming year.