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TRYON—Tryon Fine Arts Center recently announced the 2024-2025 Grassroots Arts Program Grant recipients. Applications were accepted from local Polk County arts organizations and reviewed by an independent panel to determine funding. 

GAP Grant award recipients for 2024-2025 are Children’s Theater Festival (Super Saturday), Polk County Film Initiative/Tryon International Film Festival, Tryon Arts and Crafts School, Tryon Little Theater, Laurel Lakes Music Society, and Mountain Song Community Chorus.  

In 1977, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Grassroots Arts Program to ensure every citizen can access high-quality arts experiences. The program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties in the state. Funds are primarily distributed through local arts councils using a per capita-based formula. 

Tryon Fine Arts Center is Polk County’s Designated County Partner. The North Carolina Arts Council manages the state’s Grassroots Arts Program 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.

GAP Grant information for 2025-2026 and applications will be posted to the TFAC website in the spring. Applications are due in June 2025. To learn more about the GAP Grant program, visit tryonarts.org.