Asheville Community Unites to Support Artists in Wake of Hurricane Helene Devastation

Asheville Rallies to Support Artists After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Asheville, N.C. is currently facing a challenging time as the community works to recover from the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene. During a press conference held on October 13, Katie Cornell, the executive director of ArtsAVL, shared vital updates aimed at rejuvenating Asheville’s River Arts District and providing much-needed support to the local artists impacted by the hurricane.

The Heart of the Arts Community

At the heart of this effort is ArtsAVL, formerly known as the Asheville Area Arts Council. This organization plays a crucial role in serving artists and arts organizations across Buncombe County. “The mission of ArtsAVL is to keep the arts at the heart of our community,” Cornell passionately stated. She emphasized the importance of supporting the arts community, stating, “We’re working diligently to support, and hopefully retain the arts community both locally and regionally.”

A Devastating Loss

The River Arts District, which has been a vibrant hub for creativity, has faced devastating losses. According to Cornell, an alarming 80% of the district is destroyed. “For perspective, the River Arts District included 26 warehouses and was home to 300 artists,” she explained, highlighting the extent of the damage. The floodwaters not only took away homes and studios but have also struck at the very foundation of Asheville’s artistic spirit.

Alongside the loss of warehouses, organizations such as Salvage Station, High Water Clays, Southern Highland Craft Guild, and the Flood Gallery Fine Art Center suffered extensive damages, further emphasizing the crisis at hand.

The Importance of Arts in Buncombe County

Art is not just a form of expression; it’s a significant part of Asheville’s economy and cultural identity. A study by Americans for the Arts revealed that Buncombe County was home to 483 establishments in the arts and culture sector as of 2022. Impressively, Buncombe County ranked first out of 100 counties in North Carolina for arts and culture establishments per 10,000 residents. This makes the losses all the more heartbreaking for the community.

Rapid Response Efforts

Recognizing the severity of the situation, ArtsAVL quickly mobilized resources to help those affected even before Helene’s full impact was realized. They launched a support page on September 26, just as the storm hit, ready to assist artists and organizations in need. This page is continually updated to ensure that the latest resources are available.

Following the storm, a WNC needs assessment survey was launched on October 2, which has already garnered 372 submissions from 17 of the 25 affected counties. With many local arts organizations closed and artists out of work, the pressing need identified was immediate funding for living expenses and bills due to a total loss of income.

A Call to Action

“October is a pivotal month for artists in the Asheville area,” Cornell explained. Sales made during this time are crucial for many creatives to make it through the lean winter months, particularly until February. “It’s critical that we get our artists back to work as soon as possible, or we will lose them,” she added.

In response to the crisis, a collaborative initiative known as Love Asheville from Afar was launched to encourage a national audience to support local small businesses and artists. Furthermore, beginning October 14, the AVL emergency relief grant will be available, providing $500 relief stipends to arts professionals who live in the WNC counties that were impacted by the hurricane.

Eligibility and Additional Information

To qualify for the grant, applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in one of the affected counties, and have been “substantially impacted” by the hurricane. Notably, the grant is intended only for individual artists—arts nonprofits are not eligible at this time.

With a high volume of need, awardees will not be able to apply for a second grant until further notice. For anyone interested in finding aid, more information, or even making a donation, additional details can be found on the ArtsAVL website.

Community Resilience

While the losses have been significant, the spirit of Asheville shines through as residents come together, determined to rebuild and revive their cherished arts community. With organizations like ArtsAVL leading the charge and the support of the broader community, Asheville’s arts scene is poised to rise from the ashes of Hurricane Helene.