Drew Ball

Office: Asheville City Council

Primary Candidate Survey Response

To what extent do you agree with the following statement? Please briefly explain your answer.

“Local government should play an active role in supporting arts and culture because of their impact on the economy, quality of life, and community recovery.”

Strongly agree – Local government should be a proactive partner through funding, policy, and planning

I strongly believe local government should be an active partner in supporting arts and culture, and I have consistently backed that belief with action. In Asheville, the arts are central to our economy, quality of life, cultural identity, and community recovery. A thriving local arts scene helps create a strong sense of place, connects us to our history, and strengthens our civic life.

As a local musician, show promoter, arts enthusiast, and county commissioner, I know our local arts community is world-class, and that strategic public investment and policy support can strengthen our arts ecosystem, delivering real economic and community benefits.

Buncombe County’s recently adopted Helene Recovery Plan reflects this approach by prioritizing public art in shared spaces as a tool for healing, storytelling, and economic recovery. I support projects like Paint NC: 100 Murals in 100 Counties, which will soon bring a large-scale mural to Pack Library, shaped through a public engagement process that will center community input, in partnership with the artist.

My campaign reflects these values as well, commissioning original artwork for use in our public outreach, from local artist Edwin Salas.

As an elected leader, I believe Asheville and Buncombe County should work closely with our arts community to proactively support arts and culture through sustained funding, thoughtful policy, partnerships, promotion, and long-term planning to ensure our creative community continues to thrive.