GRANTS
Overview
In the past seven years, ArtsAVL has invested nearly $3 million into our arts community through 2,200+ grants providing vital support for arts organizations, arts education, and working artists in our community.
Through our 5 main grant programs, ArtsAVL regranted $392,432 through 100 grants to 83 arts organizations & artists in the 2025-2026 funding cycle. This investment provided arts programming for approx. 306,757 individuals. ArtsAVL also administered two additional relief grants for artists and arts businesses in Western North Carolina in response to Hurricane Helene totaling $1.4 million.
See the full report to learn more about this year’s grant programs.
Interested in supporting these programs? Email Rebecca at rebecca@artsavl.org.
Arts for Schools Grant
Providing arts-based programs for Buncombe County Schools students.
Arts Build Community Grant
Supporting arts-based community projects for underserved communities.
Region 17 Artist Support Grant
Supporting emerging and established artists taking the next step in their careers.
Apps Under Review
Grassroots Arts Program Grant
Provides program and operating support for nonprofit arts organizations.
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.