Study
In response to growing concerns from the local arts professionals and businesses, ArtsAVL launched the Creative Spaces study in 2023. The process included an assessment of population demographics and cost of living averages across 7 study regions, including Buncombe County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Madison County, Asheville MSA, North Carolina, and the United States. Cost of living was compared with median earrings and demographics for 66 creative occupations.
A survey of creatives across the four counties was conducted in early 2024, along with multiple interviews, follow up polls, and an inventory of current studio and rehearsal/ performance spaces. Cases studies of local and national initiatives to address similar space concerns were also collected.
The resulting Creative Space Report was released in May 2024, following a town hall presentation and panel discussion.
Report
This nearly 100 page report primarily looks at creative work spaces– locations where arts professionals and/or arts professionals create, present, or sell their work. Findings include occupation demographics and median earnings, survey results assessing current and needed workspaces, an inventory of current creative spaces, local and national case studies addressing these similar space challenges, and next steps.
Local Case Studies
Between now and when the report comes out in May, we will be adding a series of local case studies.
Buncombe County Creative Jobs Report 2015–2019
Buncombe County’s creative jobs grew 22% from 2015–2019, reaching 13,736. Explore top industries, core sectors, and workforce trends before the pandemic.
2018 Asheville Arts Market Study
The 2018 Asheville Arts Market Study identified strong demand for affordable creative space among artists, with 234 interested in moving into a shared facility.
AEP5 Buncombe County Report: $68.9M Arts Impact & 2,233 Jobs in FY2015
In FY2015, Buncombe County’s arts sector generated $68.9M in economic activity, supported 2,233 jobs, and drew over 930K attendees. Explore the AEP5 report.
Town Hall
Details of the report were released at an ArtsAVL Town Hall event on May 10. Executive Director Katie Cornell presented highlights from the report, and Matt Peiken, founder of Podcast AVL and The Overlook podcast, moderated a panel featuring local arts leaders working to address different creative space issues, including:
- DeWayne Barton, Blue Note Junction
- Ashleigh Hardes, Lexington Glassworks
- Jeffrey Burroughs, River Arts District Artists
- Tamara Sparacino, Asheville Community Theatre
- Rebekkah Hilgraves, RadHaus Studios
