ARTIST SUPPORT GRANTS PROGRAM

This program, funded by the N.C. Arts Council, provides the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions. These grants support professional artists in any discipline and at any stage in their careers to pursue projects that further their artistic and professional development.

Types of fundable projects include:

Creation of new work
Purchase of equipment and materials
Professional development workshops
Travel support for expenses associated with a professional opportunity such as participating in an exhibition or a conference
Development or upgrading of promotional materials such as brochures, DVDs, CDs, and websites

Artist fees are also allowable expenses under the new program.

Grant amounts vary from region to region. Statewide, most grants are between $500 and $2,000.

Toe River Arts is proud to partner with the NCAC and administer the Artist Support Grant in our region including Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey Counties.

The 2023-24 Artist Support Grant application round is closed and submissions are being considered. The next round will open in 2024.

2022-2023 NCAC Artist Support Grant Recipients

Toe River Arts is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2022-2023 North Carolina Arts Council Artists Support Grant:

Rickie Barnett, Mitchell
David Harper Clemons, Mitchell
Brady Connelly, Mitchell
Andrew Dohner, Mitchell
Claudia Dunaway, Yancey
Allison Edge, Yancey
Daniel Garver, Mitchell
Julia Harrison, Mitchell
Heather Hartley, Madison
Morgan Hill, Mitchell
Lynne Hobaica, Mitchell
Jamie Karolich, Mitchell
Kiesa Kay, Yancey
Amber Marshall, Mitchell
Jack Mauch, Mitchell
Eleanor Richards, Mitchell
Melanie Risch, Yancey
Iris Anna Rountree, Yancey
Lauren Rutten, Madison
Julie R Wiggins, Mitchell

2021-2022 NCAC Artist Support Grant Recipients

Toe River Arts is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2021-2022 North Carolina Arts Council Artists Support Grant:

Diana Alexander – Yancey
Adam Atkinson – Mitchell
Molly Bernstein – Mitchell
John Geci – Mitchell
Michael Hayes – Mitchell
Everette Hoffman – Mitchell
Rachel Meginnes – Mitchell
Maria Nunez – Mitchell
Susan Patrice – Madison
Kit Paulson – Mitchell
William Ritter – Mitchell
Connie Sales – Mitchell
Hannah Mitsu Shimabukuro– Mitchell
Jack Sorokin – Madison
Bretta Walker – Mitchell
Heather West – Madison

We encourage you to check out their websites and support their artistic endeavors.

Previous Artist Support Grant Recipients

By participating in the Artist Support Grants Program, ceramics artist Shae Bishop was able to purchase a Skutt KM-818 barrel ceramic kiln for his studio. One of Shae’s ceramic hats was featured in our exhibition, Essential Work, alongside work by other artists who received grant funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One way in which my new kiln is already making a positive impact on my career is by allowing me to accept invitations to more exhibitions, hopefully leading to more sales of my artwork. I have recently been invited to exhibit at Day In The Life Gallery (Portland, OR), Belger Studios (Kansas City, MO), and Visions West Gallery (Denver, CO). Because the Artist Support Grant allowed me to obtain my own kiln, I now feel confident I can make enough pieces for these upcoming opportunities. This is a big step for me and I am so grateful to the North Carolina Arts Council for making it possible.

Through the funding of the Toe River Arts Artist Support Grant, Andrew Meers was able to acquire a rotating engraving vise. This acquisition has been instrumental as the vise allows for more detailed work.

Having the ability to inlay all areas or a workpiece has been instrumental in helping me prepare work an important show in the fall. I have been recently inducted into the Art Knife Invitational and having this vise has really helped me to push the level and quality of my work. Looking forward, this vise will allow me to begin incorporating more and different types of metal, wire and enamel into my cutlery.

About the North Carolina Arts Council

The North Carolina Arts Council builds on our state’s longstanding love of the arts, leading the way to a more vibrant future. The Arts Council is an economic catalyst, fueling a thriving nonprofit creative sector that generates $2.12 billion in annual direct economic activity. The Arts Council also sustains diverse arts expression and traditions while investing in innovative approaches to art-making. The North Carolina Arts Council has proven to be a champion for youth by cultivating tomorrow’s creative citizens through arts education. 