Supporting Local Arts
after Hurricane Helene

by newsletter writer Jenna Duxbury

The southeast region of the United States is reeling from the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene. Reports are still coming in identifying areas that have sustained massive flooding, structures that have been permanently damaged, and people who need help. In some areas, cell towers were knocked out, making communication difficult. As of this writing, the death toll across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas has reached 100+. Here are some ways you can help support your community in the aftermath of this natural disaster:​

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• Don't travel to western NC right now. Due to the many road closures and dangerous flooding conditions, the NC Department of Transportation is asking people to refrain from non-essential travel in the western NC region. Monitor conditions and stay up to date with safety guidelines on this resource page from the NC Department of Public Safety.

• Consider making a funding donation to organizations that are providing direct aid to affected areas, such as the NC Disaster Relief Fund (run by the state of NC). You can also make donations that go specifically to arts organizations that have been impacted, such as the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund (run by the NC Arts Foundation).

• Donate supplies or find volunteer opportunities through verified organizations. Here's a list of resources organized by WUNC, and here is a list of emergency support resources for artists & arts organizations curated by ARTS North Carolina. Of course, do your own research on any/all organizations before making a donation to make sure they're legit.

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Asheville, NC is the birthplace of Carolina Muse - our editor-in-chief, Madison Foster, was living there at the time the magazine was launched. The vibrant Western North Carolina arts scene is a hotspot of inspiration and cultural connection for Carolina natives, out-of-town visitors, and arts & nature enthusiasts. Many of our supporters and creators who have been featured in the pages of Carolina Muse call western NC home. Thank you for doing whatever you can to join us in showing support.

An Interview with Rush Johnston

"I think it is easy to think you're only good at one thing or only

trained in one thing, but if you're willing to give other avenues

a chance, you may just make something incredible."

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Rush Johnston, dance editor for Carolina Muse, summed up so succinctly something I think a lot of us creatives know to be true, but still have a hard time believing. See more of Rush's thoughts about being a multi-disciplinary artist, their perspectives on dance and their own artistic philosophy, and more in this featured interview.

IV.III launches on October 12th

Carolina Muse Volume IV.III is coming out on October 12th! Join us live on IG at 10:00am ET for our launch video. We can’t wait to share the latest issue of the magazine with you!

Open for submissions now through December 15th

Our final submissions period of 2024 is open now through December 15th. Send us your poetry, your photography, your short stories, your paintings, your original music, your dance pieces, your sculptures – we want to see it! Visit our submissions page for instructions on how to submit through Duosuma (we are no longer accepting submissions via email).​