Asheville Area Arts Council
Asheville Area Arts Council, now known as ArtsAVL, is based in Asheville, North Carolina. It supports arts professionals and businesses in Buncombe County through grants, advocacy, and connection, with a mission of keeping the arts at the heart of the community.
Asheville Area Arts Council at a glance
In short: Asheville Area Arts Council gave $385K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $385,438
- +174.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- +78.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,336
- +53.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,686
- Total assets
- $1,271,837
- +224.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Asheville Area Arts Council
- How to Apply
-
Program requirements and application materials vary by grant. Applicants should consult the relevant program information for eligibility, allowable expenses, and application requirements. The Grassroots Arts Program requires a final grant report detailing use of funds and other required metrics.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 507, Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 222-0436
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Asheville Area Arts Council
Arts Build Community Grant
Asheville Area Arts Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts Build Community Grant
Asheville Area Arts Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arts for Schools Grant
Asheville Area Arts Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Asheville Area Arts Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Leaf Global Arts ($27K). Together the top 10 received $164K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 106 grants of 106 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ArtsAVL’s stated grantmaking area includes Buncombe County, North Carolina, and its website also describes support across Western North Carolina. All 34 grants listed in the 2025 filing went to recipients in North Carolina. The Grassroots Arts Program gives special consideration to organizations or programs outside Asheville.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Asheville Area Arts Council gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2022) to $385K (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $385K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Global Arts Asheville, NC | Event support grant, arts business relief grant, grassroots arts program, arts for schools | $26,562 |
| Asheville Downtown Association Inc Asheville, NC | Event Support Grant, Arts Business Relief Grant | $21,765 |
| Asheville Symphony Society Inc Asheville, NC | Event support grant, arts business relief grant, arts for schools, grassroots arts program | $18,417 |
| Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective Asheville, NC | Arts for schools, arts business relief grant, grassroots arts program | $17,500 |
| Pack Place Performing Arts Inc Asheville, NC | Grassroots arts program, arts business relief grant, arts build community | $14,500 |
| Local Cloth Inc Asheville, NC | Arts for schools, arts business relief grant, grassroots arts program | $14,250 |
| Asheville Community Theatre Inc Asheville, NC | Grassroots arts program, arts business relief grant, arts build community | $13,375 |
| Asheville City Schools Foundation Inc Asheville, NC | Grassroots Arts Program, Arts for Schools | $12,500 |
| North Carolina Glass Center Asheville, NC | Arts Business Relief Grant, Grassroots Arts Program | $12,500 |
| Blue Ridge Pride Center Inc Asheville, NC | Event Support Grant | $12,225 |
Ready to take the next step with Asheville Area Arts Council?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports assets of $1,271,837, revenue of $3,313,764, and expenses of $2,473,239. The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,271,837 | $3,313,764 | $2,473,239 | $385,438 | 34 | — |
| 2024 | $391,446 | $690,753 | $590,735 | $140,500 | 19 | $4,137 |
| 2023 | $278,897 | $641,426 | $569,174 | $144,695 | 20 | $4,678 |
| 2022 | $197,005 | $256,410 | $293,283 | $11,156 | 2 | $1,201 |
| 2021 | $267,568 | $559,867 | $490,820 | $236,190 | 31 | $-2,360 |
| 2020 | $181,690 | $172,949 | $297,176 | $43,550 | Total only | $4,169 |
| 2019 | $287,555 | $279,633 | $365,470 | $53,625 | Total only | $2,410 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ArtsAVL’s mission is to keep the arts at the heart of the community by supporting arts professionals and businesses in Buncombe County through connection, advocacy, and grants. Its stated vision includes accessible arts programs, arts-integrated schools, a well-resourced creative sector, and a thriving creative workforce.
Its grant programs support nonprofit arts organizations, artists, schools, and communities through arts education, community projects, organizational programming and operations, and permitted public events. Among the 2025 recipients, LEAF Global Arts describes its work as building community, connecting cultures, and enriching lives through festivals, community events, and arts education. The Asheville Symphony Society says it performs and promotes symphonic music for the benefit, enjoyment, and education of people in Western North Carolina. Local Cloth describes its work as supporting the regional fiber economy and increasing awareness of regional production and artisan practices.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing lists 34 grants totaling $385,438. Individual grants ranged from $5,686 to $26,562, with a median of $10,686. The largest awards included $26,562 to LEAF Global Arts, $21,765 to Asheville Downtown Association Inc., $18,417 to Asheville Symphony Society Inc., and $17,500 to Umoja Health Wellness and Justice Collective.
Other listed awards included $14,500 to Pack Place Performing Arts Inc., $14,250 to Local Cloth Inc., $13,375 to Asheville Community Theatre Inc., and $12,500 to Asheville City Schools Foundation Inc. The filing records purposes such as arts education, grassroots arts programming, community-building projects, event support, and arts business relief.
ArtsAVL lists five annual grant programs: Arts for Schools, Arts Build Community, Region 17 Artist Support, Grassroots Arts Program, and Asheville Event Support. The Grassroots Arts Program provides program and operating support to qualifying nonprofit arts organizations in Buncombe County; its FY27 awards are listed at $2,500–$7,500. Applicants must be 501(c) nonprofit arts organizations that have operated for at least one year. Funds may support eligible arts programming or qualified organizational operating expenses, but not individual applicants, fundraising events, or capital expenditures. The page says applications are under review and gives September 14, 2026 as the deadline, a past date as of October 2, 2026.
Arts Build Community grants of $1,000–$2,500 support public art projects that are free and open to the public and include community engagement. The next cycle is listed for spring 2027. Arts for Schools grants support arts programming for students in Buncombe County and Asheville public K–12 schools; the listed June 15, 2026 deadline has passed, and the next cycle is listed for spring 2027. Asheville Event Support is for permitted nonprofit events in Asheville streets, parks, and outdoor public spaces; the grants page lists it as open.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brandy Bourne as chair, Hannah Randall as vice-chair, and Craig Harris as treasurer. Directors listed are John Ager, Jess Bayne, Lauren Brunk, Luke Lingle, Beth Mangum, Scott McLean, and Martin Moore.
Asheville Area Arts Council is led by Katie Cornell, Executive Director & Secretary since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katie Cornell
Executive Director & Secretary
Executive Director → Executive Director & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$29K (2020) → $85K (2025)
Brandy Bourne
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Harper
Development Chair
Board Member → Development Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaye Phillips
Board Development Chair
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liz Whalen Tallent
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Lingle
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Brunk
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexa Kincaid
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
John Ager
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin Moore
Director
Board Member → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alaina Nelson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Mangum
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jess Bayne
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott McLean
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Randall
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Harris
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Pete Perez (2019–2024) — Chair
- Former: Lori Hines (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Micah Mackenzie (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kaye Phillips Zusmann (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Bill Dorfman (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Feingold (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Gael Perry Pearson (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Josh Batenhorst (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Eunice Ward (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gar Ranland (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Noel Swartz (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ehren Cruz (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Ebbs (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Heather Stefani (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Liz Tallent Whalen (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Lausell (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Janelle Wienke (2019) — Interim Executive Director January to June
- Former: Stefanie Gerber (2019) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $85K, to Katie Cornell (Executive Director/Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Asheville Area Arts Council
How much does Asheville Area Arts Council give each year?
Asheville Area Arts Council gave $385K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $141K across 19 grants.
What is Asheville Area Arts Council's typical grant size?
Asheville Area Arts Council's median grant in 2025 was $10,686, and its average grant was $11,336, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Asheville Area Arts Council give grants?
Asheville Area Arts Council gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Asheville, NC (29 grants).
Does Asheville Area Arts Council give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Asheville Area Arts Council's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grassroots Arts Program, Arts Business Relief Grant" (10 grants) and "Arts Build Community, Arts Business Relief Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Asheville Area Arts Council's largest grantees?
Asheville Area Arts Council's largest 2025 grantees include Leaf Global Arts ($26,562), Asheville Downtown Association Inc ($21,765) and Asheville Symphony Society Inc ($18,417), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Asheville Area Arts Council?
Asheville Area Arts Council reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.3M.
What does Asheville Area Arts Council fund?
ArtsAVL’s mission is to keep the arts at the heart of the community by supporting arts professionals and businesses in Buncombe County through connection, advocacy, and grants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Asheville Area Arts Council?
Program requirements and application materials vary by grant. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Asheville Area Arts Council's EIN?
Asheville Area Arts Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1371546. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 18, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Asheville Area Arts Council funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Asheville Area Arts Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Asheville Area Arts Council funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/asheville-area-arts-council-morg_eb28a18301cf406ea24b8b2395ed0ffe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_581371546_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Asheville Area Arts Council funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/asheville-area-arts-council-morg_eb28a18301cf406ea24b8b2395ed0ffe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Asheville Area Arts Council's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Asheville Area Arts Council down — hundreds of funders to go?