Plus, Buncombe County hosts the Leading with Race Summit.
 
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88º | 60% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:22 a.m. | Sunset 8:48 p.m.
 

🎨 No taking the arts for granted

Get the picture of local arts with the ArtsAVL Grants Impact Report
AVLtoday_surreal_sirkus_asheville
Arts2People were awarded a grant for the Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival. | Photo by JenBen Media
Back in the olden days, wealthy patrons would assist artists financially while they devoted years of their lives to a painting, sculpture, or musical composition. Nowadays, we have grants. And while the folks over at ArtsAVL may not be as foppishly dressed and luxuriously titled as the patrons of old — the funds they distribute have just as much impact in our arts community.

Area arts council ArtsAVL recently published its 2023-24 Grants Impact Report, so we’re looking at just how far that supportive reach extends.

By the stats

First: the big picture. In FY24, the nonprofit...
  • Distributed $332,465 across 97 grants to 83 arts organizations or artists.
  • Increased its grant awards by 28% over the previous year.
  • Increased the amount of grant funding by 235% since 2019.
  • Invested in arts programming that reached an estimated 373,925 people.
Of the five grants, the Grassroots Arts Program received the highest percentage of funding. The 43 grants, totaling $193,640, accounted for 58% of the overall investment and reached 253,305 participants — maybe even you.

By the stories

After the Grassroots Arts Program, which supported arts organizations like Open Hearts Art Center and Blue Ridge Orchestra, the Event Support Grant received the second highest funding percentage. Nine grants went to free nonprofit events, like Downtown After 5 and the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

The grant is awarded by calendar year, so the support will continue with events like Hola Asheville on Sunday, Sept. 15 and the Goombay Festival on Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29.

Arts Build Community (which is open for applications until Monday, July 22) gave out 20 grants for underserved community projects, like a mural in Shiloh Community Garden and art supplies for Youth OUTright’s monthly meetups. Grants also served individual artists and school programs.

If you’re an interested artist, keep an eye on the 2025 grant cycle. If you just love the arts, learn how to support.
Asked

ArtsAVL (formerly the Asheville Area Arts Council) is the second oldest arts council in NC. When was it founded?
In case you were wondering, the oldest is the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

A. 1937
B. 1949
C. 1952
D. 1960
Going down in (art) history
 
Events
Tuesday, July 9
  • Fiddling on the Hill | Tuesday, July 9 | 5-7 p.m. | Mars Hill University, 100 Athletic St., Mars Hill | Free | Tune up the banjo and rosin up your bow (or just grab a seat) for this monthly traditional jam session.
  • Trivia with Billy | Tuesday, July 9 | 7-9 p.m. | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Show off your knowledge, and compete to win gift cards from Wicked Weed.
Wednesday, July 10
  • Brainy Brews | Wednesday, July 10 | 6-7 p.m. | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery St., Asheville | Free | Learn about the state of the French Broad River and MountainTrue’s initiatives to improve it with French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson.
  • Fireside Whiskey Club | Wednesday, July 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, 135 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $50-$55 | Get expert insight into the world of whiskey as you enjoy guided tastings and small bites.
Thursday, July 11
  • KP Reddy Book Signing | Thursday, July 11 | 5-6 p.m. | Hatch Event Space, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | Join a discussion with the author of “Creating the Intangible Enterprise: The Critical Skills Required to Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”
  • Carolina Quiroga’s Beyond the Myth | Thursday, July 11 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$100 | Delve into the mythology of mothers and reflect on your own relationship to motherhood during the first night of the Story/Arts Residency.
Friday, July 12
  • Movies in the Park | Friday, July 12 | 7-11 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | Free | Bring blankets and lawn chairs for a family-friendly screening of “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
  • Romeo + Juliet | Friday, July 12-Saturday, July 27 | Times vary | NC Stage Theatre Space, 15 Stage Ln., Asheville | $15-$30 | Settle in for a reimagining of the Shakespeare classic as a new story of queer awakening, self-discovery, love, and water pistols.
Pencil in a plan for the week
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Giveaway

Food

Enter to win a euphoric experience during every foodie’s favorite week of the year
Presented by an AVLtoday Partner
A group of people raise a glass at euphoria, Greenville's premier food + wine festival.
Raise your glass, because we’ve partnered with euphoria to give away one unforgettable experience in Greenville, SC. | Image by 6AM City
Calling all foodies — we’ve partnered with euphoria Food, Wine & Music Festival to dish out an unforgettable experience for one lucky winner + guest to indulge in a feast for the senses in Greenville, SC, on Sept. 19-22.

The euphoria prize package (valued at $1,680) includes:
Head over to our Instagram for details on how to enter.
Enter to win
News Notes
Closed
  • On Saturday, July 6, Avenue M permanently closed its doors at 791 Merrimon Ave. The North Asheville restaurant shared a post on social media, thanking the community for its support and patronage and stating that this “has been a difficult year for so many.”
Traffic
  • Making your way downtown? Starting tonight, July 9, a portion of Patton Avenue, between Otis Street and Clingman Avenue, will be fully closed overnight as part of the Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater project. The closure will take place through Thursday, July 11 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Check out the detours.
Development
  • On Wednesday, July 10 at 12 p.m., the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing for the proposed Altitude multifamily development on Clayton Road in Arden. The project would have 114 units, with 40 designated as workforce housing. (WLOS)
Eat
  • Gourmand, the wine bar previously located downtown, is offering a taste of its new River Arts District concept at Foundation Studios’ five-year anniversary celebration. On Saturday, July 13, enjoy music + drinks — and dine on some of the menu items you’ll see when the spot at 11 Foundy St. opens this fall.
Cause
  • This nonprofit has a lot on its plate. Asheville Poverty Initiative’s 12 Baskets Cafe expanded its offerings to include hot lunches and groceries four days a week. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, those in need can stop by for food. Learn how to support the mission.
Number
  • 54,602. That’s how many diapers WNC nonprofit Babies Need Bottoms distributed in May of this year — its largest distribution ever. The average monthly distribution hovers around 40,000, and more are always needed.
Sports
  • It’s a game changer. On Friday, July 5, the Asheville City Soccer Club women’s team secured its first ever playoff win with a comeback victory over Florida Elite Soccer Academy. The team lost 0-1 to its division rival Tennessee SC in the conference finals on Sunday.
Plan Ahead
Finance
  • Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? Yes, it sounds crazy. But it’s true. The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Wellness
  • Magnesium can help you fall asleep, manage stress, and wake up refreshed. Magnesium Breakthrough combines all seven essential forms of magnesium — get an extra 10% off now.*
 
Community

Education and connection for change

Learn and connect at the Buncombe County Leading with Race Summit
A view of the buildings of Asheville with the sunset in the background
Engagement and education are at the summit’s core. | Photo by @davidhousephoto
In August 2020, Buncombe County declared racism a public health and safety crisis. In response, the county designated equity a foundational value and took on the Racial Equity Action Plan. Now, nearly four years later, the Leading with Race Summit will bring the community together to share the county’s progress and next steps.

Taking place on Saturday, July 20, the free summit will feature music from local Black musicians as well as a culturally informed talk + dance lessons from Atsila Anotasgi, cultural specialists from the Museum of the Cherokee People. Alongside the performances, there will be kids’ activities, food trucks, and information about the equity plan’s completed and future goals.

The county will also dedicate a historical plaque honoring Indigenous and enslaved peoples and Black residents — to “represent our efforts to bring recognition and change.”

The event will be at 35 Woodfin St. Registration is accepted but not required.
The Buy
Hello, The Buy team here. If you like browsing our daily featured item, we’ve got a whole site of recommendations to choose from — allow us to direct you to a few.

🔪 This $260 knife set is on sale for $75 through Sunday, July 21.

🌺 These 15 tropical Amazon finds will spruce up your wardrobe, home, and vibe for summer.

🛍️ The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is coming — here are the best deals to bookmark.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
If Asheville City Soccer Club’s playoff success got you in the mood to cheer on local athletes, the Asheville Tourists have a couple of exciting opportunities on this week’s schedule. This Thursday, July 11, the 2024 Asheville Hippies will take the field for their only game of this season. And on Saturday, July 13, the first 1,000 fans at the ballpark will get a free Ted E. jersey. Pro tip: You can also bid on a player-worn Hippies jersey now to benefit Asheville GreenWorks — I already have several Tourists shirts, but I’ll never say no to more merch.
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