Press release from Center for Craft:
ASHEVILLE, NC (November 14, 2024) – The Center for Craft is thrilled to announce that the Craft Futures Fund has raised over $1 million to support craft artists in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. Since reactivating the Fund, the Center for Craft has quickly mobilized resources, disbursing over $300,000 to more than 600 artists. The strong community response and backing from significant organizations underscore the essential role of the region’s vibrant craft sector.
In its initial phase, the Craft Futures Fund reached $876,000 through grassroots donations and major gifts. The rapid increase to over $1.2 million demonstrates a powerful commitment from supporters who value craft’s cultural and economic importance in Western North Carolina. Funds are being disbursed immediately to help artists recover and rebuild their creative livelihoods.
“Western North Carolina has long been a haven for craft artists, and the level of support we have seen reflects just how valued this community is,” Moore added. “Reaching over $1.2 million enables us to strengthen our efforts and provide a solid foundation for both immediate relief and longer-term recovery.”
The Center for Craft extends our deep gratitude to the Windgate Foundation, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation, CERF+, Bresler Family Foundation, the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, and many individual donors who have come forward to support our community in this time of need.
A Region Rich in Craft Heritage Faces Major Losses
Hurricane Helene dealt a severe blow to Western North Carolina’s craft sector. The impact extends beyond Asheville, reaching smaller yet equally vibrant creative communities across 29 counties, including Spruce Pine, Burnsville, Marshall, and Chimney Rock. These regions, where craft is woven deeply into the cultural and economic fabric, have experienced significant losses, with studios, galleries, and artist spaces damaged or destroyed. Many of these communities depend heavily on the craft sector to attract tourism and sustain local businesses, making the damage economically devastating.
The destruction of infrastructure, loss of irreplaceable artwork and tools, and displacement of artists have created an immediate crisis for a sector that has long been central to the region’s identity and economy. Western North Carolina’s creative sector is a cultural pillar and a significant economic force, employing nearly 16,000 people and generating over $782 million in sales annually.
Expanding Relief Through a Multi-Phase Approach
The Center for Craft is collaborating with key partners to identify artists and expedite funding to those in greatest need of support, including Village Potters Clay Center, Southern Equality Studios, Treats Studios, and Marshall High Studios.
The first phase of WNC Emergency Relief provided one-time, unrestricted $500 grants to craft artists facing immediate challenges and is open until November 17. The Center will soon launch higher-level grants to help the regional craft community recover.
How to Support the Craft Futures Fund
The Center for Craft continues to seek donations to sustain these relief and recovery efforts. Every contribution, large or small, helps support artists as they rebuild their lives and creative practices. The ongoing support of donors is crucial to preserving the region’s artistic talent, which has fostered generations of cultural heritage.
“We invite everyone who values the spirit of craft and the resilience of our artists to join us in this effort,” Moore said. “Every donation is a step toward helping Western North Carolina’s craft artists recover and thrive again.”
Learn More and Make a DifferenceFor information on applying for a grant from the Craft Futures Fund or to donate, please visit our website at www.centerforcraft.org. Your support is crucial in helping Western North Carolina’s artists recover, rebuild, and continue their important contributions to our cultural sector.
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