ArtsAVL announces 14 Arts for Schools grantees

ArtsAVL, a pioneering organization dedicated to promoting arts in Buncombe County, North Carolina, is thrilled to announce that 14 artists and arts organizations have been awarded the highly coveted Arts for Schools grant.

Spark for Creativity and Learning

The Arts for Schools grant has been specifically designed to support nonprofit arts organizations and qualified teaching artists providing arts-focused performances, workshops, residencies, and field trips for K-12 students. The grant beneficiaries this year include five in-school programs and nine out of school programs.

Katie Cornell, executive director of ArtsAVL, expressed her vision, stating, “ArtsAVL believes that every child in Buncombe County deserves to experience the benefits of the arts. Exposure to the arts is proven to increase academic success and social emotional learning, but not every child has access to arts programs. That is why we created the Arts for School grant to help fill in the gap.”

Connecting Through Cloth Program

Teaching artist Nica Rabinowitz, a recipient of the grant, will bridge art and daily life through her Connecting Through Cloth Afterschool Program. “Connecting young people to their inherent creativity helps with critical thinking, problem solving, social emotional learning, and resilience. There is not a right or wrong answer in art,” Rabinowitz explained. The innovative program will further introduce students to plant and animal materials grown in and around Buncombe County, enriching their arts education experience.

Asheville Chamber Music Series

The Asheville Chamber Music Series (ACMS) plans to provide an entire chamber music performance free of charge to local students. “A live professional performance of string music is rare in many young people’s lives. We hope to inspire an increasing number of young people to see the ultimate musical outcome of their studies by artists who were not so long ago once young students themselves,” said William Smyth, President of ACMS.

Supporting Underserved Schools

Each of the awarded artists and organizations, bolstered by grants like Arts for Schools, aim to ensure that students at underserved schools receive access to important arts programming.

The 2024-25 Arts for Schools grantees

• Anna Kimmell’s innovative residency aids fourth grade learners at Johnston Elementary in building original narratives and honing theatre skills.
• Asheville Chamber Music, Inc. engages the Isidore String Quartet to perform for over 600 eager students.
• Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s Young People’s Concerts immerses Asheville City and Buncombe County fifth-grade students in the enchanting world of classical music.
• Asheville Creative Arts and Buncombe County Schools Foundation utilize funds to provide high-quality arts to K-12 students.
• Local Cloth’s Farm to Fiberarts in the Blue Ridge program connects children with the rich textile tradition of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective will use their grant to support the after-school sessions of the John R. Hayes High Steppin’ Majorette and Drum Corp.

Thanks to the Sponsors

ArtsAVL expresses its gratitude to the sponsors that contribute to the Arts for Schools Grant: Dogwood Health Trust, Wanda & Jim Moran Foundation, Gail & Brian McCarthy, Brunk Auctions, and Mills Manufacturing, with additional support provided by Ray Griffin & Thom Robinson.

Looking Forward

The next funding cycle from ArtsAVL’s Arts for Schools grant program will open in Spring 2025.