To keep the arts at the heart of our community by supporting arts professionals and businesses in Buncombe County through Connection, Advocacy, and Grants.
The Asheville Area Arts Council’s recent grantmaking shows a strong focus on keeping local arts organizations and community arts programs active across Asheville and Buncombe County. Its larger awards in the latest grants list went to Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, LEAF Global Arts, and Asheville Symphony Society, all for community arts support. The pattern points to a funder that backs established arts institutions alongside smaller local groups, with support also reaching schools, theaters, museums, and heritage-focused organizations. The council’s stated purpose is to keep the arts at the heart of the community by supporting arts professionals and businesses through Connection, Advocacy, and Grants. The grant portfolio also reflects practical support for arts infrastructure and public-facing cultural work. Awards in the recent list included repeated support for organizations such as Asheville Symphony Society, Delta House Life Development of Asheville, and Asheville Community Theatre, suggesting ongoing relationships with some recipients rather than one-time transactions. Alongside those larger community arts awards, the council administers named programs for nonprofit arts organizations, arts-based community projects, public events, school arts programming, artist career development, and relief efforts for artists and arts businesses in Western North Carolina. The result is a locally focused funder with a broad definition of arts support that includes organizations, artists, and public audiences.
Community arts is the clearest thread in the Asheville Area Arts Council’s recent giving. The council awarded $11,500 to Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for community arts support and $11,375 to LEAF Global Arts for the same purpose, showing direct backing for organizations that anchor cultural life in Asheville. Arts education also appears as a defined priority. The council gives through its Arts for Schools Grant, which supports arts-based programs for Buncombe County public school students. That education-oriented work is consistent with recent support for Arts for Life, which received $6,750 in 2025 and $6,000 in 2024 for community arts support. Public and participatory arts are another focus. Asheville Symphony Society received $10,500 in 2025 for community art, while Blue Ridge National Heritage Area received $9,250 in 2024 and $6,000 in 2025. These awards point to support for cultural programming that reaches public audiences and local heritage institutions.
$385K
$1.3M
$3.3M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $6K and $8K, with a median of $7K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$7K
75th Percentile
$8K
Katie Cornell
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Typical grants cluster tightly around the middle: the 25th percentile is $6,000, the median is $6,750, and the 75th percentile is $7,929. That suggests a program built around mid-sized local awards rather than very large checks. The recent grants list also shows repeat support to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, including Asheville Symphony Society, Delta House Life Development of Asheville, North Carolina Stage Company, Asheville Community Theatre, Open Hearts Art Center, Arts For Life, Center for Craft, and Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. The council’s active programs include both operating and program support, plus mini-grants and relief grants. Several programs accept unsolicited requests, including Grassroots Arts Program Grant, Arts Build Community Grant, Asheville Event Support Grant, Arts for Schools Grant, and Region 17 Artist Support Grant.
Giving is entirely local and entirely in North Carolina: 100% of grants went to recipients in the HQ state. Asheville is the main recipient city, with additional awards in Black Mountain and Weaverville. The council also funds across Western North Carolina through its relief grants and Region 17 artist support work. Recipient locations in the recent list are concentrated in Asheville, including arts organizations, theaters, museums, and community groups, with a smaller share reaching nearby Buncombe County communities.
Its support reaches community-based arts organizations, local and independent artists, and local community residents as a public audience. Active programs also show support for nonprofit arts organizations, arts-based community projects, permitted nonprofit events, Buncombe County public school students, and artists and arts businesses in Western North Carolina.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-thousands: the 25th percentile is $6,000, the median is $6,750, and the 75th percentile is $7,929. Some active programs also specify smaller or broader ranges, such as $500–$5,000 for arts education and relief programs.
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited requests. Those include the Grassroots Arts Program Grant, Arts Build Community Grant, Asheville Event Support Grant, Arts for Schools Grant, and Region 17 Artist Support Grant.
The stated focus areas include arts education, community arts, artist support, public art, arts advocacy, arts recovery and resilience, and arts accessibility. Active programs translate those priorities into support for nonprofit arts organizations, community projects, school arts programming, public events, artist development, and relief work.
Its geographic scope is local, and 100% of grants in the dataset went to recipients in North Carolina. Asheville is the main recipient city, with additional grants in Black Mountain and Weaverville, plus some support extended across Western North Carolina through relief and artist support programs.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Asheville Area Arts Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: For permitted nonprofit events within Asheville's streets, parks, and outdoor public spaces.
Deadline: Mini Grant Open.
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c) nonprofit arts organizations physically located in Buncombe County and in operation for at least one year. Organizations and programs outside the City of Asheville receive special consideration. Grant funds may support quality arts programs or operating expenses; not available for individual artists or non-arts organizations.
Deadline: Deadline September 14, 2026.
Who can apply: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Western North Carolina experiencing ongoing physical and/or economic impacts from Hurricane Helene. The program was structured across two cycles and is aimed at organizations facing recovery challenges.
Deadline: Second application cycle planned for Spring 2027.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAF GLOBAL ARTS | ASHEVILLE, NC | $26,562 | 2026 | EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS |
| ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $21,765 | 2026 | EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $18,417 | 2026 | EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| UMOJA HEALTH WELLNESS AND JUSTICE COLLECTIVE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $17,500 | 2026 | ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| PACK PLACE PERFORMING ARTS INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $14,500 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY |
| LOCAL CLOTH INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $14,250 | 2026 | ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $13,375 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY |
| ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $12,500 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS |
| NORTH CAROLINA GLASS CENTER | ASHEVILLE, NC | $12,500 | 2026 | ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| BLUE RIDGE PRIDE CENTER INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $12,225 | 2026 | EVENT SUPPORT GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE CREATIVE ARTS INC | BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC | $12,000 | 2026 | ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| THE CENTER FOR CRAFT CREATIVITY & DESIGN INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $11,375 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN SWANNANOA VALLEY ARTS CENTER | BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC | $11,375 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ARTS FOR LIFE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $11,375 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| NORTH CAROLINA STAGE COMPANY | ASHEVILLE, NC | $11,375 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE MUSEUM AND ARTS CENTER INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $11,000 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| SOUTHERN HIGHLAND HANDICRAFT GUILD | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,686 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE MUSIC SCHOOL SOUND EDUCATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,686 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION INC | CHEROKEE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS |
| DIFFERENT STROKES PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY BETTERMENT FOUNDATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $9,643 | 2026 | EVENT SUPPORT GRANT |
| MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS | ASHEVILLE, NC | $9,250 | 2026 | ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| WHITE HORSE STEPSTONE | BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC | $9,000 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF HISTORY | ASHEVILLE, NC | $8,875 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY |
| THE MONTFORD MOPPETS YOUTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY | ASHEVILLE, NC | $8,131 | 2026 | ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM |
| OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $7,875 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY |
| PLAYGROUND STAGE CHILDREN'S THEATRE | WEAVERVILLE, NC | $7,500 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS |
| ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ASSOCIATION INC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $7,000 | 2026 | ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY RADIO | ASHEVILLE, NC | $7,000 | 2026 | ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY |
| HOOD HUGGERS FOUNDATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $6,006 | 2026 | ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| STORY PARLOR | ASHEVILLE, NC | $6,006 | 2026 | ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT |
| THE BOB MOOG MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $5,686 | 2026 | GRASSROOTS ART PROGRAM |
| Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | Asheville, NC | $11,500 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| LEAF Global Arts | Asheville, NC | $11,375 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Asheville Symphony Society | Asheville, NC | $10,500 | 2025 | Support Community Art |
| Asheville Creative Arts | Black Mountain, NC | $9,500 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Asheville Community Theatre | Asheville, NC | $9,250 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Delta House Life Development of Asheville | Asheville, NC | $8,500 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| North Carolina Stage Company | Asheville, NC | $7,875 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Center for Craft | Asheville, NC | $7,500 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Arts for Life | Asheville, NC | $6,750 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| North Carolina Glass Center | Asheville, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective | Asheville, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Open Hearts Art Center | Asheville, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Blue Ridge National Heritage Area | Asheville, NC | $6,000 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Asheville Music School | Asheville, NC | $5,625 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Montford Park Player | Asheville, NC | $5,625 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
| Black Mountain College Museum Arts Center | Asheville, NC | $5,625 | 2025 | Support Community Arts |
LEAF GLOBAL ARTS
$26,562EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS
ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION INC
$21,765EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC
$18,417EVENT SUPPORT GRANT, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
UMOJA HEALTH WELLNESS AND JUSTICE COLLECTIVE
$17,500ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
PACK PLACE PERFORMING ARTS INC
$14,500GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY
LOCAL CLOTH INC
$14,250ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE INC
$13,375GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY
GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS
NORTH CAROLINA GLASS CENTER
$12,500ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
BLUE RIDGE PRIDE CENTER INC
$12,225EVENT SUPPORT GRANT
ARTS FOR SCHOOLS, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
THE CENTER FOR CRAFT CREATIVITY & DESIGN INC
$11,375GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
BLACK MOUNTAIN SWANNANOA VALLEY ARTS CENTER
$11,375GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
NORTH CAROLINA STAGE COMPANY
$11,375GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
SOUTHERN HIGHLAND HANDICRAFT GUILD
$10,686GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
ASHEVILLE MUSIC SCHOOL SOUND EDUCATION
$10,686GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
CHEROKEE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION INC
$10,000ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS
DIFFERENT STROKES PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE
$10,000GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE
$10,000GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
ASHEVILLE CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATRE
$10,000GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
EVENT SUPPORT GRANT
MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS
$9,250ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
WHITE HORSE STEPSTONE
$9,000GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
$8,875GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY
THE MONTFORD MOPPETS YOUTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
$8,131ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM
OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER INC
$7,875GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY
PLAYGROUND STAGE CHILDREN'S THEATRE
$7,500GRASSROOTS ARTS PROGRAM, ARTS FOR SCHOOLS
ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY RADIO
$7,000ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT, ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY
HOOD HUGGERS FOUNDATION
$6,006ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
STORY PARLOR
$6,006ARTS BUILD COMMUNITY, ARTS BUSINESS RELIEF GRANT
THE BOB MOOG MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC
$5,686GRASSROOTS ART PROGRAM
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
$11,500Support Community Arts
LEAF Global Arts
$11,375Support Community Arts
Asheville Symphony Society
$10,500Support Community Art
Asheville Community Theatre
$9,250Support Community Arts
Delta House Life Development of Asheville
$8,500Support Community Arts
North Carolina Stage Company
$7,875Support Community Arts
Center for Craft
$7,500Support Community Arts
North Carolina Glass Center
$6,000Support Community Arts
Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective
$6,000Support Community Arts
Open Hearts Art Center
$6,000Support Community Arts
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
$6,000Support Community Arts
Asheville Music School
$5,625Support Community Arts
Montford Park Player
$5,625Support Community Arts
