Jettie Rae’s Oyster House
By Emma Castleberry
Artists and culinary workers were among the hardest hit workers in our region following Hurricane Helene. An ongoing initiative, WNC Tip It Forward, aims to support them with emergency relief grants and long-term fundraising. “The WNC Tip It Forward program is uniquely targeted at two of Asheville’s most defining sectors: the arts and culinary workforce,” says Drew Sparacia, CEO of GBX Group. “These sectors are not only economic drivers but also the cultural heartbeat of Western North Carolina. This initiative has a long-term goal to preserve what makes Asheville so special by supporting the communities themselves that help bring people together through shared experiences—food, music and art.”
Launched in October by GBX Group, Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) and ArtsAVL, the program has already provided significant relief. ArtsAVL has distributed more than 1,500 grants of $500 each to impacted artists across 18 counties, while AIR has supported culinary workers in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties. The funds address immediate needs and help bridge the gap as individuals and businesses work toward recovery.
Lauren Burrows, a fine dining server, lost critical income during the hurricane’s aftermath. The grant allowed her to continue her nursing education at Western Carolina University, which she had been paying for with her serving job. “When awful things happen like people losing loved ones, homes, jobs and dreams from a natural disaster, it can be easy to lose hope in rebuilding,” says Burrows. “The WNC Tip It Forward program helped me stay afloat during a dark time. I hope that one day I can pay this grant forward to someone else when they need it, too.”
Artist Kim Self, whose second-floor studio in Riverview Station was severely damaged, used the grant funds to cover bills and offset the loss of her primary sales season. “October through December is when most RAD artists make the bulk of their sales for the year,” she says. “The grant opportunities, including those from ArtsAVL and AIR, add up to get the arts community through this. It’s not enough, but it’s something. I will be saving and working towards opening my studio again when Riverview Station reopens.”
WNC Tip It Forward is a long-term relief effort designed to sustain recovery through at least 2025. In addition to the individual grants, the initiative will use its funding for small business relief grants for creative and culinary businesses. “Asheville’s vibrant arts and culinary scene is a key part of the region’s identity and economy,” says Sparacia. “Supporting these workers ensures the long-term resilience, economic vitality and unique culture of Western North Carolina.”
All donations are divided equally between ArtsAVL and AIR. Learn more and donate at WNCTip.org.
