ARTS REPORTS
ArtsAVL is committed to advocating for Buncombe County’s creative sector through comprehensive research and reporting initiatives. These efforts highlight the economic and social contributions of the arts while offering valuable insights into trends and challenges within the local creative industry. By leveraging data, we can better support the artists, organizations, and cultural enterprises that enrich our community.
Arts reporting is essential for demonstrating the arts’ economic impact—such as job creation, tourism revenue, and local spending—while also showcasing their role in improving quality of life and fostering community connection. It helps identify challenges facing the sector and enables ArtsAVL to develop targeted programs and advocate effectively for resources. By using evidence-based insights, we strengthen our ability to engage policymakers, funders, and stakeholders in supporting the creative sector’s growth and resilience.
Key initiatives for 2025-2026 will be a new music industry study for the Asheville Area, a WNC craft supply chain study, and countywide arts recovery plan for Buncombe County.
MOST RECENT REPORTS
Creative Sector Survey Reveals Top Support Needs for Artists in Western North Carolina
2025 survey of 358 WNC creatives reveals top support needs—financial aid, marketing, space access—as artists recover and rebuild after Hurricane Helene.
Interactive Map of Arts and Culture Assets in Buncombe County Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Map of 573 arts and culture assets in Buncombe County impacted by Hurricane Helene. Updated quarterly to track recovery and resilience across the sector.
WNC Arts Relief: Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the Creative Economy and the Road to Recovery
Hurricane Helene devastated WNC’s arts sector. Learn how ArtsAVL is leading recovery with emergency grants, business aid, and creative workforce support.