ArtsAVL

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Asheville and surrounding Western North Carolina communities, ArtsAVL, Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) and GBX Group have united to launch ‘WNC Tip It Forward.’ This initiative is dedicated to raising donations to provide crucial relief grants to workers in the arts and food service sectors. “Artists are the heart and soul of Western North Carolina, and many are now suffering from a complete loss of income due to property damage and event cancellations. We are calling on you to help us keep WNC creative,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of ArtsAVL. “Our artists have a vital role to play in the recovery of our region, but first, we have to help them get back on their feet. By supporting ‘WNC Tip It Forward,’ you’re helping us to provide emergency relief grants to the artists and restaurant workers who are the backbone of our area’s unique culture.” Learn more & donate at wnctip.org

Get into the holiday spirit this weekend and remember to shop local this giving season: ?? Asheville Downtown Association presents the Holiday Jamboree this Sat. from 11am -5 pm including a makers market in partnership with Pack Square Artisan Market ?? Follow The Omni Grove Park Inn's Gingerbread Trail of Giving-- this self-guided tour from Nov. 23 to Jan. 5, includes more than 45 original, 100% edible handmade gingerbread creations ?? Little Crafty at the Museum: Artist Relief Edition returns this Sat. from 12-5 pm at Asheville Art Museum (& mark your calendars for The Big Crafty Dec. 7 & 8) ?? ReClaim The R.A.D Group Art Show Benefit at Czart Gallery in West Asheville this Sat. from 5-10 pm ?? Winter Lights-- the NC Arboretum's open-air walk-through light show-- is open now through Dec. 31

We are incredibly grateful to be one of the selected nonprofits for the upcoming Soulshine benefit concert this weekend. The sold-out concert, supporting relief and recovery efforts in Western North Carolina and Florida after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, is being livestreamed starting at 7 PM ET this Sunday. The link to view the concert is: https://lnkd.in/eu29Td_G (link in bio). Featuring performances by Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes Band (whose hometown is Asheville), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and Goose, the concert will also include special guests Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and more to be announced. Produced by Volta Media and hosted on YouTube, the livestream is sponsored by Cisco. The concert will be streamed from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM EST on November 24th, directly from Madison Square Garden. Net proceeds from the concert will benefit the SOULSHINE Concert Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, supporting Habitat for Humanity’s 2024 Hurricane Recovery Fund and various non-profits (INCLUDING ARTS AVL'S EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS) active in recovery efforts in North Carolina and Florida.

?? WNC Artists: You have until Nov. 30 to apply for an Emergency Relief Grant. Then we will be transitioning to an arts business relief grant. Apply now at artsavl.org/relief ?? 1,231 WNC artists have been awarded ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grants so far, but the need is great! Many of our local creatives have suffered a complete loss of income and these grants are providing a small bridge to help pay for basic expenses like food and bills while they apply for other aid. Please consider making a donation to support our Emergency Relief Fund at artsavl.org/helene ?? Applicants and awardees: Thanks for your patience as we process this unprecedented number of awards. We are working our way through as quickly as we can.

The NC General Assembly reconvenes tomorrow (Nov. 19). Let them know that we need arts relief aid now! Arts North Carolina is requesting that the NC General Assembly immediately allocate at least $3 million to the NC Arts Council to be distributed to local organizations providing relief funding to artists, nonprofits and creative businesses. Send a message to your reps now: https://lnkd.in/eUutVP9M

Arts events are returning! ?? Coming up this weekend: ?? Cold Mountain Beer & Music Festival is this Fri.-Sun. from 12-8pm at Highland Brewing ?? WNC Craft Fairs at The Grey Eagle this Sat. from 10am-2pm ?? RAD Fest 1.0 this Sat. & Sun. from 12-6pm marks the soft opening of the River Arts District Be sure to check out our events page to learn more about these events and more at artsavl.org/events

We have a number of grant, support, market, and space listings on our opportunities page. Be sure to check them out at https://lnkd.in/eG5pm9j8

It's the last day to VOTE! ??? Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can check your voting location now by visiting: https://lnkd.in/dKrifnW Visit artsav.org/vote to view our candidate forum video and general election arts survey.

CALL TO ACTION ?? North Carolinians, Western NC creative communities need your help! Write your NC Reps TODAY for $3 Million in Arts Relief for WNC. Arts North Carolina is requesting that the NC General Assembly immediately allocate at least $3 million to the NC Arts Council to be invested in the Arts AVL Emergency Relief Fund, which is already providing financial assistance to artists of all types across all 26 counties impacted by the storm. Take 2?? minutes to write to your NC state representatives to restart the cultural and economic engine that exists in our mountains. Go here: https://lnkd.in/eKG_j2fK Thank you for your support!

repost from Asheville Downtown Association ??? Candlelight Vigil for Hurricane Helene Victims ??? We invite you to join us for a candlelight vigil remembering all that was lost to Hurricane Helene. This gathering serves as a moment of reflection and remembrance for our community as we come together to grieve and support one another in this challenging time. ?? Date: Tuesday, October 22 ?? Time: 6pm ?? Location: Pack Square Park There will be representation from elected officials at both the city and county levels, underscoring our collective commitment to healing. The evening will also include a performance by members of the Asheville Symphony and local choirs, as well as heartfelt messages from interfaith leaders. We will partake in a candle lighting ceremony, symbolizing hope amidst sorrow, as we remember those who have been affected by the storm. Let us come together to honor the memory of those we have lost and to support one another in rebuilding our community. Your presence is important as we stand united in resilience and love. ?????