If you are looking for resources related to emergency relief from Hurricane Helene, please browse our list of resources below. Have more resources or updates to share with us? Please email [email protected].
Offers $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants to craft artists who experienced a recent and substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.
Red Cross Hurricane Helene Fund
Gathering donations to help those affected by Hurricane Helene
A community-sourced list of resources broken down county-by-county.
ArtsAVL launches its Emergency Relief Grant to meet the immediate needs of artists impacted by Hurricane Helene. The grant provides $500 relief stipends to arts professionals living in the 25 counties of Western NC impacted by Hurricane Helene. The grant is intended for individual artists working in craft, literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts. WNC Artists can go to artsavl.org/aid to view full grant guidelines and apply.
You can sign up to be notified when the application is ready.
Helene Relief – Aid for Artists coordinated by Treat Studioes
Hurricane Helene devastated creative communities across the Southeast, and artists need your help! This network aims to connect affected artists and arts organizations with individuals who want to support them.
For Artists / Orgs: Use the forms above to submit your information and get added to the network. If you would like to update or remove your information, please email [email protected].
For Supporters: Your purchases and donations can make a world of difference for those struggling in the wake of the storm. Use the buttons below to explore the aid network. Click on an image to support the artist via direct sales, donations, or gallery purchases—whichever will help them the most at this moment!
The artists below have lost homes, studios, vehicles, access to services, and even loved ones in this tragedy. If you are able to support them with a purchase, please accompany it with an extra dose of patience.
Raising funds to help Penland School of Crafts recover from the hurricane.
Your donations won’t just support the physical cleanup and repairs, but our commitment to pay our staff, including our artists scheduled to teach, through this period of closure and loss of income.
“These five days have been devastatingly heartbreaking, but to witness the community come together— the kindness and compassion of friends and strangers— has been one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life. We are resilient, creative people, and our area will be rebuilt and back stronger than ever because we are fueled by love for each other and this place.”
-Mia Hall, Executive Director
NC Glass Center Fundraiser
The North Carolina Glass Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Asheville, NC, supports glass artists by offering subsidized studio rentals, gallery representation, and educational opportunities. We also serve the community by offering free programs for youth and veterans. Asheville and the surrounding region is home to hundreds of glass artists who rely on NCGC professionally and economically. Hurricane Helene decimated Asheville’s River Arts District where we are located and artists studios are closed due to lack of power and water. While our building is safe we cannot reopen for some time. Our organization and artists are hurting.
You can help the NCGC recover and reopen after Hurricane Helene. Shop online, make a donation or attend one of our upcoming pop-ups (Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia, PA Oct 17+18, 10-5 and Woodfire Smoke Festival, Lenoir, NC Oct 19 and more to come, just follow our social media page @ncglasscenter). www.ncglasscenter.org
People Locator Lists
Cleanup Efforts + Donating Supplies
Brandon Simmons (@bluesoldierart) is coordinating supply runs across the Western NC mountains.
Bob Sagit in the TorchTalk Facebook Group (private group you have to request access to) is gathering glass supplies and working on a glass auction to benefit affected glassmakers.
757 Creative Reuse Center in the Norfolk, VA area is gathering basic supplies to send to Western NC.
Glass Business Updates
Updated October 9
Via Facebook: “Our shop has power and water, so if there are any glassworkers in WNC who need access to a cold shop, please feel free to come by and use our cold shop at no charge! We’re here and available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday”
Updated October 11
Via Instagram: “Penland looks a little different right now, but this 95-year old craft school isn’t going anywhere.
Right now, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, we are focused on:
➡️ Supporting our staff and community
➡️ Restoring our campus
➡️ Supporting the road crew that is rebuilding Conley Ridge Rd with meals
We had a busy fall planned. Instead, all workshops have been canceled through 2024.
Recovery will take time, but we are looking forward to the future when we can gather here again in the name of craft.
We are deeply grateful for all of your encouragement and support during this extraordinary time.
WE WILL BE BACK IN 2025 and we hope you will join us. It will be so good to see you then, friends.
Updated October 7
Via Facebook: Thank you, for your patience and concern for all our staff at the Batch
We trying to answer emails, if you have a batch order placed with us, please email us [email protected]
Updated October 12
UPDATES! First off, THANK YOU for your overwhelming support during this challenging time. We’re SO GRATEFUL for your donations to our GoFundMe’s and orders from MGA West.
The flooding from Helene has severely impacted MGA East and the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. Many artists and businesses, including us, have suffered extensive damage. Our building will likely be condemned, forcing us to cease operations there. It is too soon to make any decisions about reopening as so many buildings were lost. We will keep you posted.
Online shopping update:
The website now displays only Eugene stock in real-time, improving accuracy and reducing frustration.
Our inventory system has been updated, but there may be slight delays in real-time updates. Please call if you can’t find what you need.
Phone communication:
We apologize if you’ve reached voicemail. Eight of our WNC crew are still without power, water, or internet.
Asheville sales staff will be available to assist with Eugene orders once they can work remotely.
We’re experiencing high call and email volumes but are working to respond as quickly as possible.
Our new phone hours are 1 PM to 9 PM Eastern
(10 AM to 6 PM Pacific).
We’ll continue to post updates as we can. The MGA team is grateful for each and every one of you. Please stay safe!