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Haywood Arts to offer Helene support grants

Cold Mountain Art Collective in Canton was decimated by Hurricane Helene. File photo Cold Mountain Art Collective in Canton was decimated by Hurricane Helene. File photo

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) in Waynesville has announced the launch of the HCAC Helene Support Grant.

Designed to provide financial assistance to HCAC artist members who have been significantly impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the application process is currently underway.

Funding will range from $300 to $1,500.

“We are deeply appreciative of the generosity shown by our community,” said Tonya Harwood, executive director of HCAC. “After the cancellation of our Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival, we asked ticket holders if they wanted a refund or if they would prefer to donate to our Helene Relief Fund. We were overwhelmed when more than half of them chose to donate. Additionally, we have received private donations to support our artist members, and we couldn’t be more grateful for this outpouring of support.”

The Helene Support Grant is intended for individual artists, providing critical relief as they recover from the storm’s impact on their lives and livelihoods. Eligible artists must be active members of the HCAC as of September 2024 and must be working in one of the following artistic fields: craft, literary, media, performing, visual or interdisciplinary arts.

Eligibility Criteria:

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Applicants must be an HCAC artist member as of September 2024 and be 18 years of age.

Available to artists and creatives who have experienced loss due to Hurricane Helene, including loss of a studio, home, supplies or income.

Applicants must have been affected by Hurricane Helene.

This grant is intended for individual artists; nonprofits are not eligible for this opportunity.

The HCAC is committed to supporting local artists who contribute so much to the cultural fabric of our mountain community. With these funds, artists can begin to recover and rebuild after the storm’s devastation.

For more details about the Helene Support Grant and to submit an application, please visit haywoodarts.org/grants-funding or contact the HCAC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Those interested in helping HCAC provide relief to local artists affected by Hurricane Helene can donate directly to the Helene Relief Fund at givebutter.com/jV0xzR.

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