News briefs: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium survey, WNC nonprofits receive $900K in awards

Posted on by Brooke Randle
U.S. Cellular Center
HEAR YE, HEAR YE: A city of Asheville public survey is giving residents the chance to weigh in about renovations to the U.S. Cellular Center's Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Photo by Kat McReynolds

Center for Craft announces two $20,000 Craft Research Fellowships for midcareer artists

Brian Fleetwood
FOCUS ON CRAFT: Center for Craft Windgate Fellow Brian Fleetwood works on a piece. Photo courtesy of the Center for Craft

The Center for Craft has announced two $20,000 Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowships as additions to the nonprofit’s Craft Research Fund grant program. The new fellowships expand grant opportunities for artists who fall outside existing Craft Research Fund categories and open funding to midcareer artists. Artists, artisans, designers, makers, sculptors and others who identify their practice within the field of craft are invited to submit proposals by Tuesday, Oct 1. More information and application materials are available at avl.mx/68d.

Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education offers free workshops in July

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is offering free outdoors-related workshops for people of all ages and skill levels throughout July. Classes range from basic outdoor skills and fly-fishing workshops to learning opportunities about local snakes and salamanders, among other topics. The workshops are first come, first served, and advance online registration is required at avl.mx/68e.

City of Asheville launches survey on Thomas Wolfe Auditorium renovation

U.S. Cellular Center staff has embarked on a public survey campaign to advise the city on which updates and renovations of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium best serve community needs. The survey is available online at avl.mx/68b through Sunday, June 30, and hard copies are available at city of Asheville recreation centers. Once the survey is completed, Earl Swensson Associates Architects will draft programming and conceptual designs for the building. Securing funding for the project is expected to take two to four years, while the renovations will require an additional two years.

Blue Ridge Community College adds new programs for fall semester

Blue Ridge Community College will offer four new diploma programs, as well as four new certificate programs, during the upcoming fall semester. The programs complement current associate degree programs in the areas of leadership studies, American Sign Language, criminal justice, accounting and finance and others. Registration for the fall semester begins Monday, July 8, and classes begin Thursday, Aug. 15; more details can be found at avl.mx/68f.

Community Foundation of WNC awards $900,000 to area nonprofits

The Melvin R. Lane Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awarded $900,000 to six area nonprofits that focus on housing, education, mental health, farmworkers, health care and community partnerships. The 2020-22 grant recipients include Children First/Communities In Schools of Buncombe County, the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County, Thrive, Vecinos Farmworker Health Program, St. Gerard House and Working Wheels. Each recipient will receive $150,000 over the next three years.

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries to host Light Up the Night 5K

Western Carolina Rescue Ministries will host the Light Up the Night 5K, which invites participants to don “glow swag” for a nighttime run through the historic streets of Montford, on Friday, Aug. 9. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m., and all proceeds will directly benefit WNC residents who are homeless, poor or suffering from substance abuse disorders. Early registration is $35 at avl.mx/68g; prices increase after Monday, July 15. Participants will receive a free “glow” T-shirt if they register by Sunday, July 28.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “News briefs: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium survey, WNC nonprofits receive $900K in awards”

  1. Curious

    Has the Asheville Symphony committed to staying at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, if it is revitalized? Or is it still seeking to build its own performing arts center/concert hall?

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.