Wintertime sunset at Trillium. Photo by Phil Reynolds.

WNC Artists! We HEAR you and are HERE for you.

Western North Carolina artists of all disciplines substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene are invited to apply for Helene Emergency Artist Residencies (HEAR.) This new opportunity provides a variety of relief benefits to arts professionals working in literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts.

This regional residency is open to arts professionals 18 years or older in Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, including Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.

HEAR Benefits

  • A $700 relief stipend

  • Private accommodations for up to seven consecutive nights during the months of February or March 2025 in a one-bedroom, ground floor suite. Learn more about the artist suite HERE.

  • Welcome dinner

  • Restorative time to reflect, rejuvenate and create

  • Shared use of the grounds, including firepit, hot tub and waterfall area

  • Use of a variety of supplies and onsite creative spaces that include a contemplation gazebo and a 380 square foot open air, covered workspace. Learn more HERE.

  • Basic kitchen supplies and all household goods (towels, linens, paper products, etc.)

  • Access to high speed fiber optic internet and laundry

Eligibility

  • Applicants must currently reside in one of the affected counties and be 18 years of age or older.

  • Applicants must be activity working in one of the following artistic fields: literary, media, performing, visual, and interdisciplinary arts.

  • Applicants must have been substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene.

  • Artists at any stage of their careers are invited to apply. There is no application fee.

  • This opportunity is intended for individual artists; nonprofits are not eligible.

 About the Location

Trillium Arts Residencies offer secluded space for creating and rejuvenation in a beautiful, remote setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our location was not damaged by Hurricane Helene. Trillium facilities are best suited to the disciplines of literary arts, photography, visual arts and arts administration. 

Individual artists who do not require a rehearsal studio (such as writers and photographers) are encouraged to apply for HEAR. Performing artists (such as choreographers and theater artists) are also welcome to apply, with the understanding that there is no rehearsal space. Trillium’s Red Barn Studio is seasonal and will not be available during the months of February and March.

Note that there is ample land and outdoor space available for ideation and research. We are currently unable to accommodate groups or collaboratives on the Trillium property. Individual artist residencies are a solo adventure during their time here and your residency will not overlap with other awarded artists.

Selection Criteria & Process

Applications for HEAR are reviewed by a panel. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:59pm. We do not guarantee any applicant a residency and HEAR awards are subject to approval and available funds. Applications will be reviewed to ensure that the applicant:

  1. Is a verified resident of one of the NC counties impacted by Hurricane Helene;

  2. Has a legitimate artistic practice; and

  3. Has been substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene

HEAR awardees will be notified by January 21, 2025. These residency awards are meant to provide immediate relief, so we will process them as quickly as we can. Relief stipends may be used in any way towards your recovery efforts. Receipts and reporting will not be required at this time.

Those that are selected for funding will be asked to sign a short agreement that includes their payment details and the completion of a W-9 form.

The application is intentionally short & only requires applicants to complete a handful of questions and upload supporting documents.

Download a PDF of the Application Questions for Review

To Apply: Complete your Application Online on Submittable.com

The Deadline to apply is Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11:59pm.