Make Sure the Arts are Included

As part of the American Rescue Plan, Buncombe County ($50.6M) and the City of Asheville ($26.1M) are about to receive an unprecedented amount of federal stimulus funding. Now is the time to let our local officials know that investment in the arts is crucial for small business and jobs recovery and to foster community healing from the trauma we have experienced over the past year.

Graphic from the January 2021 Arts Impact Survey

>> Fill out the Survey <<

State of the Arts

Asheville Area Arts Council Executive Director Katie Cornell provides an update on the current state of the local arts sector. In this video, she looks at the impact of easing restrictions, and sources of aid to the sector on the national, state, and local levels.

View Slides

Coming Soon! An In-depth Look at Local Creative Jobs Pre-Pandemic

Asheville Area Arts Council has been working with Riverbird Research to closely examine creative sector jobs in Buncombe County leading up to the pandemic. The full report is expected to come later this month, but clearly demonstrates that the creative industries (YES! creative jobs fall into across 8 major industries) mean big business for Buncombe County. In 2019, the sector was responsible for 14,000+ jobs and $1.6 billion in industry sales.

Graphic Creative Jobs by Major Industry

RADTIP Grand Opening

The City of Asheville is hosting a month-long celebration in honor of the completion of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP)— including lots of arts related fun!

Photo courtesy of the City of Asheville

See the Full List of Events

Special thanks to the BCTDA

At last week’s board meeting, the BCTDA (Explore Asheville) awarded $45,000 to the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts for the installation of a new air ionization system. This is one of the many steps Wortham is taking to ensure the health and safety of performers and audience members within the multi-venue performance center.

Photo by Will Newnham

Learn More

In May, Explore Asheville will host a series of four webinars, “Planning for the Future: DEEP Community Conversations.” Taking place May 10, May 12, May 17, and May 19, 12 noon to 1:15 p.m., each webinar will feature community leaders and partners who will share their ideas and insights around Explore Asheville’s four strategic pillars. Asheville Area Arts Council Executive Director Katie Cornell is one of the panelists for the May 19 event. Learn more and get a link to register here.

WE-Making

A new report shared by the NEA looks at the impact of the arts in creating social cohesion and community-wellbeing.

“The WE-Making report expands our understanding of why social cohesion matters and offers compelling examples of how it has contributed to confronting systemic inequities, supporting health and well-being, and bridging across differences.”

Learn More

Welcome

In April, AAAC welcomed Lori Hines and Brandy Bourne to the Board of Directors.

Lori is a CMA and the owner of L Hines Consulting. She is also a partner in the new Citizen Vinyl recording pressing facility in downtown Asheville.

Brandy is part of the powerhouse duo behind Horse + Hero and The Big Crafty, and is the new host of CreativeMornings Asheville.

Be an Arts Ally

We are fighting a battle we cannot win alone. Our local arts sector needs your support. Join in our efforts to ensure arts professional and businesses are not left behind.

A BIG thank you to all our newest members!

Join us

Donate

Update Preferences | Unsubscribe