Tryon Arts & Crafts School (TACS) is the vibrant creative hub of our community. From launching the Helene Relief Artist in Residency program to opening our new Photo and Digital Media Studio with Monica Stevenson Photography, TACS is currently expanding what is possible when people have access to expert instruction, quality materials, and inspiring spaces.
But what powers TACS is the operational strength that allows us to pursue our mission across multiple fronts.
Your investment in our general operations ensures we can:
- Hire and retain specialized instructors across many disciplines, like clay, fiber, glass, metals, and wood.
- Maintain safe, well-equipped studios year-round.
- Offer scholarships and free community programs to ensure access for all.
- Present inspiring exhibitions and host world-class visiting artists.
- Keep our doors open to the public with no admission fee.
- Invest in long-term legacy projects like our new sculptural earthwork garden.
- Build partnerships with local farms and food purveyors through unique culinary arts events.
This is the real-world impact TACS creates right now:
- A new photo studio with professional equipment serving the next generation of visual artists.
- Public artworks created by youth and professional artists that enrich the Tryon landscape.
- Free community festivals, complete with glassblowing demonstrations and live music.
- Culinary explorations connecting craft, cuisine, and local agriculture.
- Essential safety upgrades across all studio spaces.
- Summer camps, field trips, and after-school programs that spark young minds.
- Community outreach partnerships with local schools and community organizations.
None of this happens without the reliable, day-to-day operational support that keeps the lights on, materials stocked, and world-class instructors paid.
Your Monetary Gift Can Be Doubled Right Now.
A generous TACS supporter has created a $5,000 Matching Challenge. This means every dollar you give up to the $5,000 challenge limit will be matched dollar-for-dollar. This challenge is the perfect opportunity to make your financial contribution to TACS, instantly turning your gift into twice the support for our students and artists.
Your matched gift becomes a foundational investment in TACS’s operational capacity:
- $50−$100: Helps cover the daily costs of keeping our specialized studios open and accessible.
- $250−$500: Supports instructor compensation and program materials across all disciplines.
- $1,000−$2,500: Provides the operational capacity that allows us to deliver on ambitious goals – from hosting a series of visiting master artist workshops to expanding community partnerships.
- $5,000+: Becomes a cornerstone investment in TACS, ensuring we can sustain excellence across all programs and continue growing our impact in the community.
The breadth of what we do requires strong operational support. When you invest in TACS, you’re not funding one program – you’re sustaining an entire creative ecosystem that serves hundreds of students, artists, and visitors each year.
Will you make your financial gift before December 31 to unlock the matching challenge and double your impact?
We invite you to join us in keeping arts education accessible and thriving in our community.
Sincerely,
Will Barclift
Executive Director
Tryon Arts & Crafts School
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