Gaston Arts Council
Gaston Arts Council is a public charity based in Gastonia, North Carolina, that supports artists and creative organizations through grants, advocacy, and community engagement. It serves as Gaston County’s local partner for distributing North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program funds to eligible organizations.
Gaston Arts Council at a glance
- Total assets
- $13,750
- -57.8% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $195,650
- -29.4% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $201,878
- -24.8% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-EZ, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-EZ, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Gaston Arts Council
- Review Cycle
- The Grassroots Arts Program FY 2026–27 deadline was August 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. This date has passed. The required in-person workshops were scheduled for July 7, July 11, and July 15, 2026; those dates have also passed.
- Deadline
- The Grassroots Arts Program FY 2026–27 deadline was August 31, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 242, Gastonia, NC 28053
Phone: (704) 853-2787
Website: https://gastonarts.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Gaston Arts Council
Who Gaston Arts Council funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 21 grants of 22 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The council’s Grassroots Arts Program grantmaking serves eligible organizations in Gaston County. The Artist Support Grant page identifies artists living in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, or Rowan counties as eligible to apply through the Arts & Science Council partnership.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Gaston Arts Council gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2022) to $191K (2021). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $169K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gaston County Museum of Art & History Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $35,000 |
| Little Theatre of Gastonia Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences. | $29,800 |
| Gaston Dance Theatre Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $17,487 |
| Friends of Gaston County Public Library Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $15,095 |
| Gaston School of the Arts Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $14,400 |
| Help Carolina Inc Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $13,850 |
| African American Museum History & Culture Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $11,800 |
| Carolinas Street Arts Collaborative Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $10,000 |
| African American Quilt Guild of Gaston County Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $7,781 |
| C&J Creative Expression Gastonia, NC | To ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences | $7,775 |
Ready to take the next step with Gaston Arts Council?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing type: Form 990-EZ (a small public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,750 | $195,650 | $201,878 | — | — | — |
| 2024 | $32,555 | $277,138 | $268,313 | $168,757 | 11 | — |
| 2023 | $19,961 | $215,064 | $223,258 | — | — | $40 |
| 2022 | $28,155 | $93,064 | $107,209 | $18,299 | 2 | $13 |
| 2021 | $42,300 | $347,045 | $317,126 | $191,441 | 9 | $30 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to enrich Gaston County by empowering artists and creative organizations through grants, advocacy, and community engagement, connecting artists with opportunities and promoting the arts to enhance the region’s quality of life.
Its 2024 filing describes Grassroots Arts Program grants, artist development, and community programs as part of its work. Examples of supported organizations include Gaston Dance Inc., whose mission is to provide educational and performance opportunities in ballet, jazz, and modern dance and cultural enrichment through dance performances. Gaston School of the Arts describes its mission as providing quality, affordable instruction in music, art, and drama for children and adults in Gaston County and the surrounding area.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the council reported 11 grants totaling $168,757. The average grant was approximately $15,342. The 2025 filing reported no grants; the 2023 filing also reported no grants.
Among the 2024 recipients, Gaston Dance Inc. received $17,487 and Gaston School of the Arts received $14,400. Other amounts listed in the council’s 2024 filing include $15,612 for Friends of Gaston County Public Library, $15,000 for Authentically Healed CDC, $5,259 for African American Museum Historic, $2,000 for Carolinas Street Arts Collaborative, and $1,300 for Carolina Pro Musica.
The council’s website describes the Grassroots Arts Program as funding for eligible organizations in Gaston County. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status is preferred; organizations that are nonprofit in nature and, in some cases, individuals may also be eligible. A fiscal agent may be required for applicants without 501(c)(3) status. Arts organizations already receiving operating support directly from the North Carolina Arts Council may not receive Grassroots subgrants. Applicants must attend an in-person workshop to be eligible to apply.
The website also describes the Artist Support Grant, offered in partnership with the Arts & Science Council, as supporting professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists. The FY26 cycle is closed; the website says information about FY27 will be posted when available.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephanie Newman and Robert Brown as directors, Ashleigh Gilliam as chair, D Andre Nixon as treasurer, and Jessica Tillman as arts administrator.
Gaston Arts Council is led by Ashleigh Gilliam, Chair on every filing since 2024; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ashleigh Gilliam
Chair
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Brown
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Newman
Director
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Tillman
Arts Administrator
On filings since 2024
30 hrs/week
$39K (2024) → $43K (2025)
D. Andre Nixon
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Kim George (2021–2024) — Previous Excecutive Director
- Former: Brenda Arnold (2021–2023) — Chair
- Former: Cheryl Knight (2021–2023) — Member at La
- Former: Gus Flemming (2021–2023) — Member at La
- Former: Jane Hunter (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Keith Foster (2021–2023) — Cochair
- Former: Roger McCall (2021–2023) — Member at La
- Former: Sandra Simpson (2021–2023) — Member at La
- Former: Thomas Clark (2021–2023) — Member at La
- Former: Dandre Nixon (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Felisia Carpenter (2021–2022) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $43K, to Jessica Tillman (Arts Administrator).
Frequently asked questions about Gaston Arts Council
How large is Gaston Arts Council?
Gaston Arts Council reported $14K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-EZ. Its revenue that year was $196K.
What does Gaston Arts Council fund?
The organization’s mission is to enrich Gaston County by empowering artists and creative organizations through grants, advocacy, and community engagement, connecting artists with opportunities and promoting the arts to enhance the region’s quality of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gaston Arts Council?
Gaston Arts Council has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gastonarts.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Gaston Arts Council make grants?
The council’s Grassroots Arts Program grantmaking serves eligible organizations in Gaston County. The Artist Support Grant page identifies artists living in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, or Rowan counties as eligible to apply through the Arts & Science Council partnership.
What is Gaston Arts Council's EIN?
Gaston Arts Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1257449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 24, 2026)
- Added Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gaston Arts Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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