GRANTS
Overview
ArtsAVL invests in artists, nonprofit organizations, schools, and communities through grant programs that strengthen the creative sector across Buncombe County and Western North Carolina. Since 2018, ArtsAVL has awarded more than 2,200 grants totaling over $3.6 million, supporting arts education, community-based projects, nonprofit arts organizations, working artists, and recovery efforts.
In FY2025–2026, ArtsAVL invested more than $1 million through its grant programs. Our five annual grant programs awarded 170 grants totaling $429,956, while the first cycle of the Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant invested an additional $665,000 in 65 nonprofit arts organizations across 12 Western North Carolina counties. Together, these investments reached 145 artists and organizations, including 44 first-time recipients, while expanding access to the arts, supporting creative careers, strengthening nonprofit organizations, and helping communities recover from Hurricane Helene.
See the full Grant Impact Report to learn more about this year’s grant recipients and the impact of ArtsAVL’s funding.
Interested in supporting these programs? Contact Rebecca at rebecca@artsavl.org.
Arts for Schools Grant
Providing arts-based programs for Buncombe County public school students.
Opens Spring 2027
Arts Build Community Grant
Supporting arts-based community projects for underserved communities.
Opens in Spring 2027
Region 17 Artist Support Grant
Supporting emerging and established artists taking the next step in their careers.
Deadline 8.17.26
Grassroots Arts Program Grant
Provides program and operating support for nonprofit arts organizations.
Opens 8.17.26
Asheville Event Support Grant
For permitted nonprofits events within Asheville’s streets, parks, and outdoor public spaces
Mini Grant Open
BECOME A GRANT SPONSOR
Interested in supporting these programs? Visit our sponsorship page and/or email Development Director Rebecca Lynch at rebecca@artsavl.org to learn how you can support one of these vital programs.
Grant Selection Panels
ArtsAVL seeks reliable community members knowledgeable about Buncombe County’s arts and cultural organizations, local arts resources, and arts needs to volunteer to serve on ArtsAVL grant review panels.
ArtsAVL has 5 grant programs each fiscal year (July 1-June 30), with grant panels occurring throughout the year. Participating as a grant review panelist is a 2-4 week commitment depending on the number of applications submitted in the grant category. Applications vary based on grant program, and can range from 20-50 applications.
Panelists work with ArtsAVL staff and other panelists to evaluate grant applications, ensuring an equitable, transparent, and thorough review and ranking process. Panelists are offered a modest honorarium for their service and will be provided with detailed instructions and guidelines for review and scoring. Sufficient time is allocated for application review and scoring prior to a panelist meeting (either virtual or in person) to review scoring with ArtsAVL staff and make final recommendations.
Please note: All panelists will be required to disclose any connections to applicants and will have to recuse themselves from decisions around grant funding to those applicants. However, this does not prevent panelists from reviewing other applicants. Panelists must be 18+ and live or work in Buncombe County.