Flood Back Love mural composed of the remains of Pleb Winery in the River Arts District
Arts AVL Launches Emergency Relief Grants for WNC Artists
$500 stipends for WNC creatives impacted by Helene
October 11, 2024 | Asheville N.C. – Western North Carolina artists of all disciplines substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene are invited to apply for ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grant. The grant opens on Monday, October 14 and will award $500 stipends to arts professionals working in visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music, film, choreography, interdisciplinary arts, and more. This regional grant is open to arts professionals in Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, including Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
ArtsAVL knows that at this moment, artists and creative workers are facing the impact of property damage, loss of water and power, connectivity issues, job and project cancellations, and more. “The need is real and immediate – for many artists $500 now is the difference between being able to buy groceries and pay bills, or not,” said ArtsAVL executive director Katie Cornell. “Our hearts are breaking for our arts community and their losses are a powerful reminder of the many vital roles that artists and creative workers play in our communities.”
Applications for the Emergency Relief Grant are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and are subject to approval and available funds. Applications will be reviewed to ensure the applicant lives in an impacted area, that they have a professional artistic practice, and that they have urgent need(s). Due to the high volume of artists in need, artists receiving a grant are not eligible to reapply, but awardees will be notified if and when they become eligible for a second round of funding.
ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grants are a short-term, stop-gap measure. The disruption across the whole economy, which has catastrophically affected our entire region, requires a response larger than any one donor, organization, or foundation.
This is a moment we will get through together, taking care of each other. It is also a moment for our arts community to come together and help our community heal.
If you would like to join ArtsAVL in supporting WNC artists during this difficult time, please consider donating at artsavl.org/helene.
Apply for an ArtsAVL Emergency Support Grant and view other support resources at artsavl.org/aid.