2025-2026 Arts Build Community Grant

The Arts Build Community grant, administered by ArtsAVL, is designed to support innovative public art projects that foster civic engagement and community connection through collaborative artistic expression. Since its inception in 2018, this program has focused on elevating community experiences through publicly accessible art initiatives, aiming to inspire participation, dialogue, and inclusive engagement across diverse populations. The current grant cycle is open and will close on July 21. It funds projects scheduled to occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. ArtsAVL, headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, serves as a regional arts council promoting arts-based community development. Through the Arts Build Community grant, the organization prioritizes creative initiatives that are free and open to the public and include a clear component of community engagement. The types of public art eligible for funding include both temporary and permanent works in publicly accessible spaces. This includes murals, sculptures, digital media installations, performances, and festivals, provided they are artist-led and foster inclusive community involvement. To qualify, applicants must be organizations physically based in Buncombe County that have operated for at least one year. Priority is granted to proposals that contribute to community recovery and revitalization following Hurricane Helene, or that directly impact residents in low-income neighborhoods and underserved local communities. For-profit organizations are eligible only if they partner with a nonprofit, and fundraising events are specifically excluded from consideration. Projects affiliated with schools or afterschool programs are encouraged to seek support under the separate Arts for Schools grant. The grant awards range from $1,000 to $2,500, with eligible expenses including artist fees, art supplies, travel, venue rentals, marketing and publicity costs, website and digital media expenses, scripts, costumes, props, music, and equipment rentals. Applicants may not receive more than one ArtsAVL grant for the same project in a single year, except in the case of events that also qualify for support under the Event Support Grant. If a project receives Event Support Grant funding, it may still be considered for Arts Build Community funding, but not for any other grant categories. The application process closes on July 21. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026, and the grant may fund either upcoming or already-completed projects within the stated timeframe. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions via email to Rebecca Lynch at rebecca@artsavl.org. The grant is supported by Pete and Cindy Perez as well as other partners. Recent grant recipients include organizations that produced murals, youth art exhibitions, community days, parades with giant puppets, festivals, oral history projects, and performances by underrepresented voices. This range of funded projects reflects the program’s broad interpretation of public art and its dedication to equity, cultural diversity, and community participation.