2023 Creative Economy Snapshot: Buncombe County’s Creative Sector Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Benchmarks

The 2023 Creative Economy Snapshot highlights a full recovery and continued growth for Buncombe County’s creative sector, reaching new milestones in both employment and economic output. The report, compiled using Lightcast labor market data, tracks trends across core and allied creative industries from 2019 through May 2023.

After experiencing a 16% drop in creative jobs during the pandemic, the county’s creative workforce rebounded to approximately 14,000 jobs by May 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of 13,560 in 2019. Core creative industries—including arts, entertainment, and cultural heritage sectors—grew by 4% over the four-year span, despite broader hiring challenges.

Top-growing core creative industries from 2019 to 2023 include:

• Motion Picture and Video Production (+161 jobs)
• Museums (+60 jobs)
• Promoters of Performing Arts Without Facilities (+41 jobs)

Some industries, like Movie Theaters and Musical Instrument Manufacturing, saw continued decline, underscoring shifting dynamics within the sector.

Sales data for 2022 shows all-creative industry revenues reached $2.1 billion, marking a full recovery and expansion beyond 2019 levels. Of that total, core creative industries contributed $477 million, or 23%. Leading contributors included:

• Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, and Entertainers ($51M)
• Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers ($46M)

While Breweries ($597M) and Historical Sites ($260M) led the broader creative sector, the data reflects a diverse ecosystem that spans visual arts, performance, media, and heritage industries.

This snapshot underscores the resilience and economic importance of Buncombe County’s creative economy, offering valuable insights for artists, policymakers, and cultural advocates alike.

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