Bringing people together through the arts is Katie’s passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of ArtsAVL. Along with the organization’s dedicated Staff and Board of Directors, she works to amplify what is happening in Buncombe County’s vibrant arts communities and ensure the continued sustainability and growth of the area’s richly diverse cultural sector. Katie has more than 20 years of experience working in the Asheville arts sector and holds a Master’s degree in Arts Leadership & Cultural Management from Colorado State University and a BA in Drama from UNC Asheville. She is the Chair-Elect of Arts NC, Vice-President of the Western Arts Agencies of North Carolina, and the immediate past Chair of the City of Asheville’s Public Art & Cultural Commission. Katie also serves on the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy and Policy Committee.

Rebecca Lynch (she/her) has dedicated her 24 year professional career to cultural non profits, including three years as a project researcher for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, a 15 year development career with the Asheville Art Museum, and three years leading Chow Chow: An Asheville Culinary Event Series. While at the Asheville Art Museum, she managed the successful $25 million capital campaign for the award-winning new Museum which opened in Fall 2019. As a fifth generation resident of WNC, she has deep roots and strong ties to the area’s artist, agricultural, culinary, civic and business communities. She firmly believes that our creative community is the heart of our region’s vibrancy and central to its identity, health and success. Rebecca shares the Puffin, her tiny home nestled on family land in Fairview, NC, with her cat Maple, surrounded by local farms, family and friends. She practices her art in the kitchen as an avid culinary maker and passionate home cook, and is thrilled for the opportunity to continue to support our region’s extraordinary community of creative makers and arts organizations as Development Director for ArtsAVL.