CREATIVE ECONOMY

Buncombe County’s vibrant creative economy spans across 8 sectors, accounting for $1 billion in annual sales and supporting nearly 8,500 jobs. ArtsAVL, in partnership with Riverbird Research at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, works to monitor the impact and health of the local creative industry. This collaboration provides data-driven insights that inform advocacy efforts and resource allocation, ensuring that the region’s creative economy continues to thrive and grow.

The creative economy is broad and diverse, encompassing a wide range of industries and activities, making it difficult to define in a singular way. This report, however, focuses on the creative economy through the lens of an arts agency, intentionally narrowing its scope to industries and occupations that fall within the agency’s sphere of influence. By concentrating on these specific areas, the report aims to provide a more targeted and practical approach to understanding and supporting the region’s creative sector. This focused perspective allows for the development of actionable strategies that directly benefit local artists, organizations, and the broader community.