When Tropical Storm Chantal swept through Orange County on July 6-7, it left behind a staggering reminder of nature’s power. With over 10 inches of rain falling in a matter of hours in some locations, there was devastating flooding across Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro.
One of the hardest-hit places was the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough, home to 15 artists’ studios and the Orange County Arts Commission. For 138 years, the Mill had never flooded—until now. Unfortunately, no one had flood insurance, leaving the artists with nothing but heartbreak and loss. Irreplaceable art, supplies, equipment, even cars and homes were damaged or destroyed.
As Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission and executive director of the Orange County Arts Alliance, shared, “Even in the wake of such destruction, our community has been a bright spot. From the very first day, volunteers rolled up their sleeves to tackle the dirty work of clearing mud and debris. But while helping hands have made a huge difference, financial support is still desperately needed.”
How You Can Help
The Orange County Arts Alliance, the nonprofit partner of the Orange County Arts Commission, has launched the Orange County Arts Relief Fund to directly support artists recovering from this disaster. Because the alliance is a 501(c)(3), all donations are tax-deductible—and every dollar goes straight toward helping artists rebuild their lives and careers. The easiest way to contribute is through the donation link at artsorange.org/give.
In addition to direct giving, several fundraising events are bringing our community together around art, food, and music:
- Common Good Mutual Aid Auction
Now through Sept. 22, 2025, online and at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. Bidding ends on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 11:59 p.m.
Sixty-one area artists have donated 123 works of art for auction. Proceeds benefit the Orange County Arts Relief Fund, with 20% going to The ArtsCenter, our generous host. You can bid online through Zeffy, browse some of the artworks in person at The ArtsCenter, and know your purchase directly supports local artists. https://artsorange.org/commongood/ - Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival
Oct. 18, 2025, at Blackwood Park outside Chapel Hill
This lively festival combines music, food, and fellowship. Performers include Big Something, Rissi Palmer, Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Kaira Ba, Nothing Good, Ben Sollee, and My Brother’s Keeper. A portion of proceeds will benefit recovery efforts. https://saltsmokesound.com/
Why It Matters
The arts aren’t just about beauty or entertainment—they are at the heart of our community. Artists tell our stories, inspire our kids, and bring us together in ways that make Orange County a truly special place to live. They are also an economic driver; Orange County’s nonprofit arts sector alone generates $107M in local spending each year, $15.8M in government tax revenue, and supports 2,192 fulltime jobs*. Helping the arts recover from this storm is about more than replacing supplies. It’s about making sure creativity and culture continue to thrive and contribute to our local vibrancy for generations to come.
*2022, Arts and Economic Prosperity Survey 6, Americans for the Arts