Artist Support Grant

Artist Support Grant Application

Tryon, NC – There is a grant available for local artists, thanks to the North Carolina Arts Council and the North Carolina legislature. Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) and regional partners including the ArtsAVL, Transylvania Community Arts Council, the Tryon Fine Arts Center, the Arts Council of Henderson County, and the Rutherford County Arts Council call upon artists served by their organizations to apply to the Artist Support Grant. Counties served by this regional consortium are Buncombe, Tryon, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania, also called Region 17.

The Artist Support Grant was created in 2020 to support individual artists during the pandemic and has become a staple for local artists. Region 17 reviewed 80 applications in 2022 and awarded over $48,000 in grant funds to 24 individuals. The types of projects were each unique and included a wide variety of mediums. Grants were distributed to help purchase special equipment, materials, and even travel expenses to do research for a book. Ilene Kay, a talented local metalsmith, requested funding for equipment to expand her line of jewelry. “This happened and much more, this technique has allowed me to create wonderful pendants to add to my “Blue Ridge Collection” These pendants “Sunrise and Master Of The Skies” and “Wisdom of The Night” were first displayed at HCAC Light Exhibition earlier this year. Another tool can often spark creative inspiration” says Ilene.

More information about the next Artist Support Grant will be posted as soon as it is available from the NC Arts Council.