ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Event Support Grant is an annual financial support grant for nonprofit arts organizations in Asheville, N.C.

This year, applications for the grant will open on Sept. 8, 2025.

Event Support Grant eligibility

Facilitated by ArtsAVL, formerly known as the Asheville Area Arts Council, the Event Support Grant was founded to provide financial support for free, public events in Asheville streets, parks and outdoor spaces.

According to the application site, “the program’s goal is to preserve public arts and cultural programming within Asheville’s outdoor public spaces through the provision of financial assistance for community events that promote cultural heritage, diversity and the creative arts.”

Awarded grants typically range between $3,000 and $10,000, but the amount may be higher or lower depending on the event.

In 2025, awardees included the Asheville Downtown Association in support of Downtown After 5, Asheville Mardi Gras in support of the Mardi Gras Parade, the Folk Heritage Committee in support of Shindig on the Green and LEAF Global Arts in support of the recent Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL.

While specific application materials have not yet been released for the 2025-26 grant cycle, according to the application site, 2024-25 requirements included:

• The event producer must be a non-profit 501c organization in operation for at least one year at the time of application.
• At the time of application, non-profit organizations must maintain a physical presence in Buncombe County by conducting business and providing services within Buncombe County.
• All events supported must be admission-free and open to the public, permitted under the City’s Outdoor Special Event office and conducted in person within Asheville’s outdoor public spaces.
• Program must take place between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025.

For more information about this year’s application, visit www.artsavl.org.