Artist Opportunities

2026 Exhibition Proposals

Toe River Arts is accepting proposals for the 2025 exhibition schedule. You do not need to be a resident of Mitchell or Yancey counties or a member of Toe River Arts. The Kokol Gallery displays 2D and 3D work and the upstairs Owen Gallery displays only 2D work. The applications will go through a jurying committee in May/June. You will be contacted as to the status of your proposal. Individuals and Groups can apply.

Applications for our 2026 exhibition schedule are now open. The application deadline is Thursday, June 14, 2025.

Apply here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/pnb_5DpqlT9amKvfIH88-g

Scholarship for the Arts

Toe River Arts Scholarship for the Arts is made possible by an endowment fund held by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. These scholarships are awarded to individuals from Yancey or Mitchell County, North Carolina, who are pursuing higher education in arts or arts education. Each scholarship will be paid directly to the degree-based institution of the applicant’s attendance.

Applications for the 2025 Scholarship for the Arts are now open! The application deadline is Sunday, May 18, 2025.

Apply here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/bwQ5B43M9OuaQ-9Ywcb58g

Spring & Fall Studio Tours

Participation in the Toe River Arts Spring & Fall Studio Tours is an exclusive opportunity for our artist members. This self-guided, driving tour featuring between 85 – 100 Toe River Artists offers local and visiting art collectors the chance to see our artists in their natural, creative studio habitats. A true glimpse into the mind and makings of each artist. A Studio Tour Exhibition is held in conjunction with each tour in the Kokol Gallery at our Spruce Pine location, featuring the work of participating studio tour artists.

The 2025 Spring Studio Tour application round is closed. Please check back for the 2025 Fall Studio Tour application.

2025 Gift Shop and Retail Review

Artists living in Mitchell and Yancey counties are encouraged to apply to sell work in our retail spaces. Artists must be Toe River Arts Members at the Basic level. The gift shop review committee is comprised of members of Toe River Arts and professional artists familiar with different artistic media. The review committee changes every year. Artists not accepted may reapply the following year.

The 2025 Gift Shop Review application round is closed. Please check back for the 2026 application.

2025 Blacksmith Exhibition

Toe River Arts is accepting applications for this year’s Blacksmith Exhibition. There is no application fee and no jurying process to enter work in the exhibition. If you are a metal artist who uses a hammer and anvil, you are eligible to submit work. We encourage submissions from metal artists/craftsmen of all levels. 

The 2025 Blacksmith Exhibition application round is closed. Please check back for the 2026 application.

Artist Support Grant

This program, funded by the N.C. Arts Council, provides the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions. These grants support professional artists in any discipline and at any stage in their careers to pursue projects that further their artistic and professional development. Learn more about the grant.

The 2024-2025 NCAC Artist Support Grant application for Avery, Madison, Mitchell & Yancey Counties is now closed.

Resources for Artists Affected by COVID-19

• Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists.
• ArtsReady Resource List
• ArtsNC Covid-19 Action and Resource Center
• Freelance Artist Resource
• Triangle Artworks COVID-19 Small Business and Non-profit Financial Relief Services
• National Endowment for the Arts COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
• NC Artist Relief Fund

• Americans for the Arts Impact Survey – please fill out the survey, let them know how you have been impacted so that they can advocate for support for artists from the federal government.

• Backline Care – Mission: To connect music industry professionals and their family members with a trust network of mental health and wellness providers

• NAMI & NAMI Wake County – for those concerned about mental health during this whole experience, the national NAMI chapter and local chapters (such as NAMI Wake) have resources – nami.org and nami-wake.org

• Equal Sound – Corona Relief Fund

• MusiCares

• Resources for Artists in the COVID-19 Crisis: Emergency grants, freelance resources, legal aid, and more.

Additional Resources

Consulting and Writing

• Wendy Outland Artist Consultant
• Katey Schultz
• Sue Wasserman

Photographers

• Black Box Photography
• Mary Vogel Photography

Miscellaneous

• Nation’s Best Online Art Schools