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TRYON—Tryon Fine Arts Center is currently accepting 2025-2026 Grassroots Arts Program grant applications from local arts organizations in Polk County. 

Funding is available to local organizations for a variety of projects. Previous recipients include Tryon Little Theater, Mountain Song Community Chorus, Children’s Theater Festival’s Super Saturday, Tryon Arts and Crafts School, Tryon International Film Festival, and The Laurel Lake Music Society. 

The deadline for GAP applications is August 29, 2025. Recipients will be notified of acceptance by September 12. Grants will be distributed after the NC Arts Council receives funding from the state legislature. 

In 1977, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Grassroots Arts Program to ensure that every citizen has access to high-quality arts experiences. The program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties in North Carolina. Funds are primarily distributed through local arts councils using a per capita-based formula. Tryon Fine Arts Center is the Designated County Partner for Polk County. The North Carolina Arts Council manages the Grassroots Arts Program for the state and provides technical and program assistance to its community partners.

The creation of the Grassroots Arts Program increased the number of local arts councils and helped establish North Carolina as a leader in community arts development. Nationally, North Carolina has one of the largest networks of local arts agencies and also the country’s oldest arts council, which serves Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Grassroots funds support hundreds of arts activities across the state each year. 

Applications and guidelines for the grants can be found at tryonarts.org.

 

Submitted by Darlene Cah