ASHEVILLE - Now in its 8th year, the Arts Build Community grant supports innovative, arts-based projects that inspire diverse groups of participants to be more active, involved, and civically-engaged by creating together. ArtsAVL will accept ABC grant applications from June 24, 2024 through July 22, 2024 for the 2024-2025 award cycle.

ABC grants are designed for local organizations that recognize the vital role of the arts in the creation of thriving, sustainable neighborhoods and create programming to support the need for their creative communities. According to Americans for the Arts, “86% of participants who took part in community-based art want to be involved in future projects, and people living where these art projects occurred were more than twice as likely to be civically engaged as those whose neighborhoods did not have projects.”

Since the grant started in 2018, ArtsAVL has funded 68 community arts projects - starting with just five projects a year, and now supporting 20 during 2023-24. In the most recent award cycle, organizations received awards supporting programs and initiatives in areas including storytelling, Black history, musical theater, arts programming for veterans, comedy, community arts and dance, creative placemaking, programming for queer and trans youth, and more.

ArtsAVL recently published their 2023-24 Grant Impact Report covering their full spectrum of arts grant coverage in the county. Primary support for the Arts Build Community Grant comes from a Buncombe County Arts & Culture Block grant. 

To be eligible for the ABC grant award, organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and be physically located in Buncombe County. Priority is given to projects based in low-income neighborhoods and communities in need. Grants range from $1,000-2,500, and all projects must center the arts.

To learn more about all ArtsAVL grants, including past recipients and the application process, visit ArtsAVL.org/Grants