ADVOCACY

The arts are at the heart of what makes Western North Carolina (WNC) an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit. Creative industries in the region generate over $1 billion in economic activity, support thousands of jobs, and contribute to the vibrant cultural fabric that attracts both residents and tourists.

However, recent challenges, including the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Helene, have significantly disrupted the region’s cultural sector. Nearly half of Buncombe County’s cultural assets have been temporarily or permanently affected, along with substantial damage to arts infrastructure across WNC. These losses echo the experiences of other disaster-struck communities, where the arts have proven critical to both economic recovery and community resilience.

Now more than ever, the arts need our advocacy. Together, we can ensure that WNC’s creative industries not only recover but thrive, contributing to regional revitalization and economic growth. Explore our ongoing initiatives, strategic recovery plans, and ways you can support this vital cause.

Photo courtesy of Lexington Glassworks

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Arts AVL Initiatives

Western North Carolina Arts Recovery

ArtsAVL continues to advocate for the recovery of the arts sector in Buncombe County and across Western North Carolina through a number of different ongoing initiatives. Some of these include:

  • Representation: ArtsAVL staff lead and participate in a number of recovery focused meetings, including the ArtsAVL Directors’ Roundtable, Arts Coalition, City & County Recovery Support Groups, County Business Recovery Response Group, Riverfront Leadership Roundtable, Asheville Chamber’s Policy & Advocacy Committee, Land of Sky Creative Manufacturing Project, WNC Arts, WNC Arts Recovery Team, Western NC Response Working Group
  • Assessments: Multiple surveys and reports have been completed for WNC and Buncombe County since the storm. Results are available at artsavl.org/reports.
  • Relief Grants: 
    • $500 Artist Stipends- ArtsAVL awarded 1,500 grants totaling $750,000 to WNC artists
    • $5,000 Arts Business Grants- ArtsAVL awarded 136 grants totaling $680,000 to WNC arts business (nonprofit and for profit)
  • Support Services: Mountain BizWorks’ Craft Your Commerce program is currently offering free one-on-one support, workshops, and other support series for WNC creatives.

City of Asheville Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Funding Request

On April 8th, Asheville City Council approved the Asheville City Government CDBG-DR Action Plan, which included an emphasis on arts recovery following significant advocacy for the arts during the community engagement period.ArtsAVL’s CDBG-DR funding requests include:

PLANNING: Arts Recovery plan

HOUSING: More affordable workforce housing

INFRASTRUCTURE:

  • Entertainment infrastructure improvements/ replacement
  • Ensuring opportunities for local craft artisans to be part of the build back

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION:

  • Workforce development program/ support services
  • Support for phased reopening of existing businesses

Learn more about these request here.

Buncombe County Arts & Culture Block Grant

In 2022, Buncombe County established the Arts & Culture Block Grant which provide $129,788 to ArtsAVL’s grant programs and reporting initiatives. Since this block grant was formed, it has supported 124 grants through ArtsAVL’s Grassroots Arts Program and Arts Build Community grants, as well as ongoing arts data reporting from Asheville Area Chamber’s Riverbird Research.

Now, facing a significant budget deficit due to Hurricane Helene, the County is considering cutting this funding along with other strategic partnership support to local nonprofits. See presentation from the County’s recent budget work session. Though commissioners delayed discussions about cutting the $10.3 million in budgeted Community Investments, ArtsAVL continues to closely monitor this discussion.

Music Friendly Communities Study for Asheville

 In 2025, ArtsAVL, in partnership with the North Carolina Music Office and Sound Diplomacy, is conducting a new music industry study to promote and support the creation of environments where music is celebrated and sustainable measures are taken to support the continued growth of dynamic music ecosystems. The study kicked off in March 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in October 2025. 

Buncombe County Arts Recovery Plan

Starting in July 2025, ArtsAVL in partnership with Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, Explore Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and other arts partners will launch a countywide arts recovery planning process led by Lord Cultural Resources. The planning process will be completed by June 2026 and provide a 5 year roadmap for arts recovery across the county. The plan will focus on: 

  • Arts Integration into parks, community centers, and libraries (and other public facilities)
  • Improvements to public art programs and policies, including temporary arts projects and outdoor events
  • Possible new performing arts center, and city/county support for entertainment facilities
  • The Redevelopment, Maintenance, and New Development of Arts Districts
  • Concentrated support for the recovery of music and craft industries
  • Addressing cost of living and other barriers threatening the arts community
  • Community recovery programs through arts and culture

Arts NC Statewide Initiatives

Visit Arts NC’s Arts Action Center for all current calls to action. 

$10 million for the Arts in Western NC impacted by Hurricane Helene

Strategic investment grants prioritizing impact, ROI, and community health.

  • $1.2 billion in sales generated by Creative Industries in the 26 impacted WNC counties in 2022
  • 17,500 creative jobs, plus thousands of “gig” workers or extended proprietors in the 26 impacted WNC counties in 2022
  • Nonprofits have been excluded from many aid programs available to other small businesses.
  • Prioritizing the arts is essential for recovery as it was in Puerto Rico & New Orleans, which also rely heavily on tourism like WNC.

All Grassroots Arts Program Funding to All 100 Counties

  • 7 counties (including Buncombe) are excluded from a share of 40% of funds for Grassroots Arts as Tier 3 counties with populations over 250,000.
  • 5 counties were excluded over the last two years.
  • Johnston & Cabarrus will lose $70,000 each this year.
  • Forsyth and Guilford could be excluded soon if economic stress in
    WNC counties moves them into Tier 3 status.
  • This funding should be reliable, not based on shifting factors.

Close $6 million funding gap for NC Arts Council General Grants

  • $10,000,000 to fully fund statewide need.
  • Current state funding is less than $4,000,000, leaving a large gap.
  • 15 years without increased funding has hurt programs.
  • General Grants reach 96 counties through organizations & artists.
  • All General Grants are open to applicants in all 100 counties.

Make recurring $750k A+ Schools allocation from the last 2 years

  • Up to $500k match from a private foundation. (public-private partnership)
  • Recurring funding is needed to sustain the program.
  • Whole-school arts-integration-based reform model.
  • Increased teacher retention, grade-level proficiency, and school performance (especially for historically marginalized students).

Stop Fraudulent & Misleading Ticket Sales Practices

  • Require third party ticket resellers to be transparent, identifying themselves as resellers and no longer pretending to be the venue, promoter, or authorized by the seller.
  • Ban speculative ticket sales (selling tickets you do not possess).
  • Ban the use of “bots” to circumvent sales restrictions.
  • Ensure that resale buyers can access refunds for cancellations.

H418: Performing & Visual Arts Requirement for K-5 Public Schools

  • 1 in 20 K-5 students don’t have both Music and Visual Art.
  • Standards-based arts instruction by subject-licensed educators.
  • 30-minute standard size class, once every 5 instructional days each.
  • $250+ million for these teachers was allocated in 2018 but school districts are not following the intent on the NCGA.
  • Arts develop social skills & improve student outcomes research shows.

See full 2025 Appropriations Request overview.

Federal Arts Initiatives

Americans for the Arts

Visit the Americans for the Arts Arts Action Center for the latest news.