2025-2026 Arts for Schools Grant Program

The Arts for Schools grant program is a funding initiative offered by ArtsAVL, with sponsorship from the Dogwood Health Trust’s WNC After 3 program, aimed at enriching the educational experience of K-12 public school students in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools through arts exposure. ArtsAVL, an arts advocacy organization based in Asheville, North Carolina, promotes access to the arts and strengthens the local creative community. This grant focuses on providing arts-centered performances, workshops, residencies, and field trips to students, especially in economically disadvantaged schools. The grant supports both in-school and out-of-school programs, though only one focus area may be funded per applicant each cycle. In-school programs are those occurring during school hours and are eligible for grants ranging from $500 to $2,000. Out-of-school programming, including afterschool and camp initiatives, is eligible for grants between $500 and $5,000. Priority is given to afterschool programs due to the primary focus of the WNC After 3 program. Applications are due by June 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM, and programs must take place between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations or qualified teaching artists who have operated in Buncombe County for at least one year. Teaching artists must hold a BA or BFA in their art form or equivalent experience and have at least five years of arts education experience. All programs must be aligned with North Carolina’s Common Core and Essential Standards and be provided at no cost to students or schools, potentially through scholarships. In-school programs require a school partnership agreement form. Out-of-school programs are not eligible for funding if they are already supported by the WNC After 3pm initiative. Camp program funding is only available to nonprofit arts organizations. Allowable expenses include local artist fees, student materials, admission fees, and transportation for students. However, funding cannot be used for non-local artists, unrelated travel, food, marketing, lobbying, or other excluded costs such as band or choral activities and therapy services. Evaluation criteria prioritize afterschool programming and capacity-building efforts, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to arts education across the region. Numerous organizations have previously received funding, including Asheville Symphony Orchestra, LEAF Global Arts, and Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective, each contributing diverse arts experiences to students. For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact Rebecca at rebecca@artsavl.org or by phone at 828-222-0436. Applications and programming support resources are accessible through the ArtsAVL website.