ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — ArtsAVL, the Asheville area arts council, has launched a $1.2 million Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program intended to support the long-term recovery of Western North Carolina arts nonprofits.
The program will be split across two grant cycles, one in Spring 2026 and another in Spring 2027.
The application for the first grant cycle will open Monday, March 9, 2026. Apply here.
Grant specifics
To apply for the Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must have been a nonprofit arts organization legally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) on or before Sept. 27, 2024
- Applicants must have been in operation for at least two consecutive years prior to the application deadline
- Applicants must have prior-year operating expenses of at least $20,000
- Applicants must be physically located in one of the following counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga or Yancey
- Applicants must have been substantially impacted, physically and/or economically, by Hurricane Helene
Once accepted to the program, awardees may use their grant funding for the following:
- Staff and artist salaries, or rehiring and retaining essential personnel
- Core operating expenses, like rent, utilities, insurance or facility repairs
- Restoring or expanding arts programming
- Replacing lost materials, equipment or inventory
- Rebuilding, repairing or relocating damaged spaces
- Marketing and audience outreach to address ongoing tourism decline
Investing in longevity
According to ArtsAVL, the Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program was split into two cycles in order to reflect the lengthy, ongoing process of recovery for businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.
“These grants recognize that recovery for the arts is a multi-year process,” said Katie Cornell, executive director of ArtsAVL. “Nonprofit arts organizations are still working to stabilize operations, rebuild financial sustainability and restore programming while serving as essential contributors to community resilience and economic recovery.”
Data indicates that few businesses have recovered completely from the storm.
According to the most recent Western North Carolina Business Feedback Survey, conducted in the fall of 2025, 68% of businesses reported operating at or below break-even or even facing temporary or permanent closure. Meanwhile, only 28% of businesses reported profitable operations. 84% of businesses reported revenue loss, with 35% estimating losses of $100,000 or more. 53% of businesses indicated they still require recovery support.
Meet the donors
The Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant Program was funded by $1 million from the North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and $200,000 from Dogwood Health Trust.
Both organizations remarked on the important role that the arts play in the local community and economy.
“The arts are a vital part of Western North Carolina’s culture and economy,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, president and CEO of the NCCF. “Not only do the arts bring joy to our communities, but they also help bring back tourists to the region, which helps drive economic recovery.”
“Dogwood is pleased to join the North Carolina Community Foundation to support ArtsAVL and the many talented artists and small businesses in Western North Carolina’s creative sector,” said Mark Constantine, senior vice president of Community Investment at Dogwood Health Trust. “The arts help us to connect, to heal and to imagine what’s possible, especially as we continue to recover from Hurricane Helene and advance the well-being of our region together.”
Looking to the future
In addition to their work to support nonprofit arts businesses, ArtsAVL is preparing to launch a grant supporting for-profit arts businesses, too. The for-profit grant will be supported by the city of Asheville’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program.
“Together, these nonprofit and for-profit investments are designed to address the full arts ecosystem — artists, nonprofit organizations and creative businesses recognizing their interconnected role in economic recovery and community vitality,” ArtsAVL wrote.
