Eligibility

Applicants must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• Eligible to receive taxable income in the U.S.
• Be a resident of Western North Carolina (counties include: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Qualla Boundary, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey). This includes individuals who lived in Western North Carolina but, due to Hurricane Helene have evacuated or have been forced to relocate temporarily.
• A craft artist, maker, creative manufacturer, or culture bearer who has experienced at least one of the following due to Hurricane Helene:
  • Total or significant loss of studio space
  • Destruction of tools, materials, or completed artwork
  • Displacement from their homes
  • Or other unexpected expenses directly resulting from this catastrophic, career-threatening event.

Applicants cannot be:

• A current employee, consultant, board member, or major funder of the Center for Craft, or an immediate family member of such a person
• A previously awarded 2024 Craft Futures Fund- WNC Emergency Relief grant recipient.

For this grant, the Center for Craft understands craft to include work primarily in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, and wood.

Requirements

This is a one-time, unrestricted grant. There are no reporting requirements. Grantees should put the funds toward their area of greatest need.

Privacy and Use of Information

To protect the privacy of those selected for emergency relief during these sensitive times, the Center for Craft will not publish a list of grant recipients. We plan to share statistics representing how these funds were distributed and may share unattributed quotes pulled from applications.

How to Apply

‍‍There are three ways to apply for these emergency relief funds:

ONLINE IN FORMSTACK: 

Applicants may apply using Formstack. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to access your form again. Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application form has been successfully submitted.

PHONE:

If you are unable to access a computer or reliable internet connection at this time, you are welcome to call the Center for Craft at 828-785-1357, and our staff will assist you over the phone in completing an application. If we do not answer at the time of your call, please leave a message, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

IN-PERSON:

If you prefer to complete a paper form or talk to a Center for Craft staff member in person, we will have in-person application hours on Wednesdays from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that the Center for Craft currently does not have running water and will be open only for grant application support during this time. The Center for Craft is located at 67 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801. All downtown Asheville street parking and City of Asheville parking garages are free through November 1, 2024.

DEADLINE: 

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis from October 15 - November 12, 2024. We will re-evaluate based on need and funding availability.

NOTIFICATION: 

Recipients will be notified of funding at the e-mail address listed on the application form. Please be sure that it is a valid account that you check regularly. If you are unable to check your email at this time and prefer a phone call or text, please indicate this on your application.

Relief funds will be distributed weekly.

SAMPLE APPLICATION

Cover Sheet

1. Applicant name
2. Applicant email address
3. Applicant phone number
4. What Western North Carolina county do you live in?
5. Are you able to receive taxable federal income in the U.S. (or U.S. territories)? For example, having a social security number (ITIN for DREAMers) and a US bank account.
   

Application Questions

1. Please provide three sentences about your craft-based art practice.

2. Please provide your website address, social media handle, or professional resume.

If you are unable to provide one of the above, please call the Center for Craft for guidance (828)785-1357.

3. Which of the following have you experienced as a result of Hurricane Helene?      (Select all that apply)some text

• Total or significant loss of studio space
• Destruction of tools, materials, or completed artwork
• Loss of income due to canceled exhibitions, fairs, or teaching opportunities
• Displacement from their homes
• Or other unexpected expenses directly resulting from this catastrophic, career-threatening event, please explain.

4. Is there anything else you would like to share about your needs during the relief and recovery process that may guide us in directing resources and attention over the coming months? (Optional)

Demographic Survey

Please note that the demographic survey data will only be used anonymously. Your participation in this survey helps us and our local and national funders understand who the Center for Craft is reaching so that we can continue to develop equitable and accessible programming. Completion of this survey will in no way affect your application. We require all applicants to complete this form; however, you may answer each question with the “ I prefer not to answer” option. 

FAQ

Are these relief funds only for craft artists?

We realize that the funding needed to rebuild the arts community in Western North Carolina is significant and that the efforts of the Craft Futures Fund will only begin to cover the loss that has occurred to our region. While this fund is only for craft-based visual artists (for example, people working in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, textiles, wood), other opportunities can be found at ArtsAVL.

Can collectives or craft organizations apply?

Phase 1 of the Craft Futures Fund - WNC Emergency Relief will focus on individuals. Each impacted individual from collectives or organizations is encouraged to apply separately. Phase 2 of the Craft Futures Fund - WNC Recovery will include both individuals and organizations. Individuals who are part of a collective or organization may apply for both a $500 Craft Futures Fund - WNC Emergency Relief grant and a $5,000 Craft Futures Fund - WNC Recovery grant.

If I am awarded, will I have to pay taxes on my award?

Internal Revenue Code section 139 provides that qualified disaster relief payments from any source are not taxable as income and are not subject to employment taxes or withholding.

The Center for Craft legally cannot provide tax advice. Please consult a tax expert for questions and clarifications.

What are the reporting requirements? Do I need to report on how I spend the money?

This is a one-time unrestricted grant. There are no reporting requirements. Grantees should put the funds toward their area of greatest immediate need.

How can I use the funds?

This is an unrestricted grant. Grantees should put the funds toward their area of greatest immediate need.

What if I used to live in WNC but am now displaced - am I still eligible?

Yes, you are still eligible. We recognize that many residents of Western North Carolina are currently displaced.

I just submitted my application, but I want to return to it and make an edit. Is this possible?

No, once your application is submitted you cannot return to the form or change any submitted information.

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I have a question that wasn’t answered. How can I reach the Center for Craft?

If you have any further questions, please contact grants@centerforcraft.org, or call 828-785-1357.