50 S Main St
Marion, NC 28762

(828) 652 - 8610
​[email protected]


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Last updated 11/12/2024
The Village
Individuals
Please consider filling out the WNC Creatives Needs Assessment Form. ​It is very helpful for us to identify needs across WNC
• McDowell County is one of the counties eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
​The deadline to apply is December 2. Information about eligibility and how to apply is available at: www.des.nc.gov/dua

*ADDITIONALLY benefits for impacted workers were increased from $350 to $600 on 10/17 https://tinyurl.com/54y7exas
UPDATED DAILY water, food, supply, road closures, and EOC updates can be found at mcdowellcares.org
Hurricane Helene Recovery: Updates and Resources
Join Craft Your Commerce for an ongoing Virtual Support Service Call for Artists and Creatives. The next meeting will be held this Fridays from 11:30am - 12:30pm. They will have an accountant, ecommerce specialist, grant writers, and an HR specialist on the call to answer questions you might have about support and recovery services for yourself and your business.
REGISTER for FREE HERE


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The Center for Craft is reactivating the Craft Futures Fund grant program for emergency relief so that we may direct essential resources to support and care for the artists and community of Western North Carolina (WNC) in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
CERF+ offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.
ReString Appalachia is an initiative from American Songcatcher supported by over 150 musicians, instrument makers, nonprofits, venues, visual artists, actors, and media outlets, dedicated to getting quality instruments back in the hands of those who lost them due to Helene.
Arts AVL's WNC Emergency Relief Grants. Western North Carolina artists of all disciplines substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene are invited to apply for ArtsAVL Emergency Relief Grant. The grant provides $500 relief stipends to arts professionals working in craft, literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts.
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant from Painters, Printmakers, and Sculptors​
MusiCares provides crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions. 
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Reach out for help: [email protected] or 800.687.4227. ​
The grant application and disbursement process is currently being designed. If you would like to receive details about applying for assistance as soon as they become available, please fill out the Information Request Form. ​
 WNDB provides emergency grants to diverse authors and illustrators, publishing professionals, and educators who are experiencing dire financial need. We aim to bolster these marginalized groups by giving grants between $500 and $1,000 each. Since 2020, the Emergency Grants provided nearly 130 grants.​
Additional Resources: 
  • ​Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts in Lansinghas opened its doors to potters who lost their studio in the hurricane. Those who are interested can contact Kevin Little, Director, at [email protected] or 336-977-1247, or Mike Edwards, Studio Coordinator at 252-241-8877.
  • ​The Mountain Metalsmiths School of Jewelry in Arden, is offering use of their metals studio to displaced jewelers on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-4:00 and 7:00-10:00 pm. Bring your own materials but they have the tools. Any small donations to cover torch gas and electricity are gratefully accepted. Email Ruthie Cohen at [email protected].
  • ​If you or someone you know has supplies or studio space to offer, please email [email protected] and we will help get the word out. Also let us know if you are looking for supplies and studio space and we will do our best to connect you.
The National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) has great artists and arts organizations seeking disaster assistance. They host a weekly Hurricane Helene Response Call each Tuesday, 5:00-5:45PM ET for artists and organizations. More information at: Response Information | National Coalition (ncaper.org)

*If you have the time and capacity they are also asking folks to fill out their Rapid Impact Assessment Form here: ​https://tinyurl.com/9najxvp4
Organizations & Businesses
Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative ​The initiative is partnering with local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to provide relief grants up to $25,000 to very small businesses across the region that sustained physical damage from Hurricane Helene.
Date posted: 10/17/2024
Organization: McDowell Chamber Community & Business Impact, Inc. (also known as the Chamber Foundation)
Who is eligible: Public-facing Small Businesses located in McDowell County who have been directly impacted by Hurricane Helene or have experienced 25% or more decline in revenue due to Hurricane Helene. 
More information: https://tinyurl.com/422dt96c
Date posted: 10/11/2024
Organization: Gateway Wellness Foundation
Who is eligible: Nonprofit organizations in Burke, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties.
More information: https://tinyurl.com/bky37k6z
Grant Questions: https://tinyurl.com/p9vscrmy
Administered by the National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF), a 501(c)(3) organization, the NIVF Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) is dedicated to providing economic relief to independent, live performance venues and promoters, both for-profit and nonprofit, across the United States experiencing a critically severe emergency due to circumstances beyond their control.

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McDowell Arts Council Association

The arts are for everyone.

MCDOWELL ARTS COUNCIL ASSOCIATION
​Tuesday through Friday 12-5pm • Saturdays 11-4pm
​All other times by appointment.
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Street Address: 50 S MAIN ST MARION NC
Mailing Address: PO BOX 1387
Phone Number: 828-652-8610
Text Accessible Google Number: 828-559-1404
Email Address: [email protected]

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McDowell Arts Council Association acknowledges that we live and work on occupied land. McDowell County is the native territory of the Catawba and Cherokee people.