Row 1 (top to bottom): Alexa Kincaid, Craig Harris, and Hannah Randall
Row 2: Ali McGhee, Communications Manager
Row 3 (top to bottom): Kaye Zusmann Phillips, Martin Moore, and John Ager
ArtsAVL Welcome New Staff & Board Members
Six board members and a Communications Manager join the team
ArtsAVL is thrilled to welcome a new staff member and six new appointees to the Board of Directors.
Ali McGhee, Ph.D. is stepping into a part-time role as Communications Manager. An Asheville native, Ali is a creative writer, journalist, and educator passionate about supporting the local arts ecosystem. She will support ArtsAVL’s mission and vision through storytelling across platforms, including the monthly newsletter, social media, and the website. She will also keep residents of Buncombe County informed about ArtsAVL’s services for local creatives, including grant opportunities, upcoming events, and local arts advocacy. Ali currently serves as Vice-Chair of the City of Asheville’s Public Arts and Cultural Commission and as a member of Story Parlor’s Story Board.
“The Blue Ridge Mountains are the bones of this area, but the arts are the lifeblood,” shares McGhee. “My work with ArtsAVL allows me to plug into the creative sector – both as a creative myself, and as someone deeply committed to fostering a present and future where the arts are recognized as absolutely vital for our region. I am proud to bring my passion for writing and content creation to this creative community.”
Joining the board are Alexa Kincaid, Director of Community Engagement at the YMI Cultural Center; Craig Harris, SVP and Senior Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley; strategic consultant Hannah Randall; retired television producer and executive Kaye Zusmann Phillips; attorney and Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore; and former NC House Representative John Ager. Members of ArtsAVL’s Board of Directors provide essential guidance for the second-oldest arts council in the state.
“The arts have been a staple part of Asheville’s community and identity,” says Moore. “As Asheville grows, I am grateful to work with a team that is committed to supporting the arts, artists, and all parts of our community enjoy the many forms of art that give our city the character we’re known for throughout the country. Arts can support cultural understanding and appreciation, so I am thankful to be part of an organization that is committed to promoting local artists and putting a spotlight on what our community has to offer.”
Kincaid is most excited for the opportunity to see the Asheville artist scene from a different view. “I am honored to join such a wonderful group and hope to learn something new from everyone,” she says.
On June 21, the staff and board came together for the annual ArtsAVL Board Retreat, where they had the opportunity to introduce themselves (or reconnect) and work together to review the organization’s 2023-24 goals,
Join ArtsAVL in celebrating these new additions to the team, and stay updated on news and announcements here.