2026 ELECTION

Anna V. Stearns, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 01
A strong arts community is an essential aspect of what makes Buncombe County such a desirable place to live and visit. It is a critical part of our economy and contributes to the quality of life. Local government should treat investment in the arts as we do other areas of public service or infrastructure. Sometimes that will mean direct funding or policy initiatives, and other times it will mean leveraging partnerships or advocating to outside groups to support our arts and culture. In either case, it should be a priority for our county commission.

Terry Threadwell, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 02
Local government should play an active role in supporting arts and culture because they are essential infrastructure, not a luxury. Arts and culture strengthen the local economy by supporting small businesses, tourism, and creative workers. They improve quality of life by making communities more livable, connected, and resilient. And especially after crisis or disaster, the arts help communities process loss, rebuild trust, and recover together—not just physically, but emotionally and socially. Public support doesn’t mean government control of art. It means investing in local creatives, protecting cultural spaces, and ensuring access for all communities, including rural and working-class residents. When we support arts and culture, we’re supporting economic vitality, mental health, civic pride, and long-term community wellbeing.

Esther Manheimer, City of Asheville Mayor
Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors awarded me the 2025 Public Leadership in the Arts Award in recognition of strong, effective support of the arts in Asheville. I strongly agree that local government should be a proactive partner in supporting the arts and culture because of their impact on the economy, quality of life, and Asheville’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. Arts and culture drives the uniqueness of a community and provides spaces for people to come together and experience joy and expression together. But the arts also are a substantial economic pillar of Asheville’s economy supporting jobs and creating revenue that support our community. Whether its individual artists struck down by the Hurricane or the effort to bring a state of the art performing art center to Asheville, it’s incumbent on the city to work with the arts community to create the most robust and vibrant arts scene possible.

Kim Roney, City of Asheville Mayor
Collaboration, partnership, and multi-solving is part of the creative process! Our arts & culture community are powerful partners to have at the table for quality of life, public health & wellbeing, and economy. Revisiting ArtsAVL’s dual reports of the 2025 Creative Economy Snapshot and the Economic Contribution of Creative Industries in Buncombe County that looked at the economic impact of the arts sector’s 9,000+ jobs, “The sector boosted Buncombe County’s GDP by $810 million, with a total output of $1.64 billion.” I’m grateful for the partnership between ArtsAVL and the City of Asheville. Two recent, standout examples: Supporting local businesses through administration of the Event Support Grant. I continue to appreciate the intentionality of the ArtsAVL to evaluate funding processes to ensure more equitable outcomes, building relationships and amplifying the work of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists in our community. Applying for the Small Business Support Program to administer #2.3-million of the CDBG-DR funds for economic recovery I moved to approve the partnership at the Planning, Economic Development, and Environment Committee meeting on Jan. 20th and it will be on the Consent Agenda for our January 27th Council meeting at 10am in City Hall. From my experience as an owner/operator of an arts-based business, many in our community are concerned about Asheville’s uphill and long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene. The City is moving as quickly as processes allow, but the $17-million in economic recovery funds are not yet on the ground, and businesses are stretched trying to get through a 2nd winter. Your relationships and trust in the community will help to get these grants moving quickly and effectively. I’m also considering the influence of arts & culture through all parts of our recovery. Through continued and deepening partnership with our arts & culture sector, the City of Asheville can bring people to the table with their lived and professional experience, including through our recovery boards: Housing, Economy, Infrastructure, and People & Environment. I made this a priority when working with RADA to advocate and reopen the application window for the recovery boards, and through prioritization of my votes in the appointment process. It’s a matter of priorities. Together we can make this a great place to live and work, then it will continue to be a great place to visit too. I’m committed to processes that foster shared accountability and shared success so we can be truly #MountainStrong! In service & solidarity, Kim Roney – Asheville Music Educator

Drew Ball, City of Asheville City Council
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.

Jeffrey Burroughs, City of Asheville City Council
Arts and culture are not extras in Asheville. They are central to our economy, our identity, and our ability to recover and rebuild. Artists and creative workers support tourism, small businesses, and community vitality, and they play a critical role in community recovery after disruption. As an artist and as President of River Arts District Artists, I have been deeply involved in recovery efforts following Helene and in long-term planning for the district. That experience has shown me how vulnerable creative ecosystems are when policy, infrastructure, and recovery planning are not aligned. Local government should be a proactive partner through funding, policy, and planning that treat artists as workers and cultural spaces as essential infrastructure. Supporting arts and culture means investing in affordable workspace, housing stability, and long-term resilience so creatives can remain part of Asheville’s future.

Scott Burroughs, City of Asheville City Council
The arts are what make us human. They bring us all together. The connection, empathy, and community which are built through our shared appreciation of ideas and beauty make us stronger. I have dedicated my life to the building arts. First through study and then through practice as an architect, my life has been enriched by myriad experiences of art and culture. From the visual to the ephemeral; from high art to folk arts, all forms of human creativity and craft inspire and catalyze growth. Local government’s support for arts and culture matters because creative activity is not just enrichment—it is real economic infrastructure. Arts organizations, galleries, music venues, festivals, and creative workers generate jobs, attract visitors, and support surrounding small businesses like restaurants, retail, and hospitality. When local governments invest in arts and culture, they are investing in economic resiliency that keeps dollars circulating locally and makes communities more competitive and attractive to both talent and entrepreneurs. Beyond economics, arts and culture are essential to quality of life. They help define our community’s identity, tell its stories, and bring people together across differences. Public art, performances, and cultural events transform ordinary places into meaningful ones, fostering pride, belonging, and civic engagement. Communities that value creativity are healthier, more connected, and more appealing places to live — for families, young people, and retirees alike. Arts and culture will continue to play a critical role in our community’s recovery. Creative spaces offer opportunities for healing, expression, and dialogue, helping residents process loss and imagine a hopeful future together. Asheville’s active support for these places and efforts, will be just as crucial as our efforts to rebuild our city and economy. Belief in the the power of the arts is belief in the strength of our community and our people. Rebuilding starts with our spirit. In this way, investing in arts and culture is an investment in resilience, renewal, and our shared future. We truly are all together now.

Blake Butler, City of Asheville City Council
As an Asheville native, i recognize how important the heritage and history of artists and crafters are throughout our region. Despite the impacts of the hurricane, the spirit and resilience of our arts community remains strong. Our local government needs to “raise the bar” when it comes to support, collaboration, and identifying new public/private partnerships for sustainability. There was an “all hands on deck” effort for many years to crown Asheville Beer City USA. Its time to come together and renew the push for Asheville to become an Arts City destination.

Tiffany DeBellott, City of Asheville City Council
Research shows that arts and culture contribute to community well-being by supporting mental health, engaging youth, and strengthening connections to place. When integrated into city planning and public spaces, arts and culture can reduce isolation, support youth development, and help residents feel connected to their neighborhoods. This makes arts and culture a practical investment for local governments focused on recovery, quality of life, and long-term community health.

Dan Ferrell, City of Asheville City Council
It’s incredibly symbiotic and cyclical. Arts builds community. Community helps us stay resilient. Resilience allows time. And time builds art. Having a thriving arts community, whether it’s physical, musical, dance, performance… requires people able to afford to live here. I know, you know, we all know, without addressing the affordability crisis, our artists can’t live here. The best way to support them isn’t just directly funding the artists (like Canada has done to great success), it’s to make sure we all can afford housing and food, that we all have access to time and joy. Art comes from many places and artists today and in the future getting priced out of Asheville has a price for all us.

Nina Ireland, City of Asheville City Council
I strongly agree. Arts and culture are foundational to Asheville and Buncombe County – they shape our everyday lives through music, visual art, comedy, theater, and storytelling, and they play a real role in economic stability, healing, and community connection. Arts and culture are not just a cultural asset here; they are a major economic engine and what sets us apart. According to the 2025 Creative Economy Snapshot and Economic Contribution of Creative Industries in Buncombe County, the creative sector supports over 9,200 jobs, generates nearly $1.64 billion in economic output, contributes $810 million to local GDP, and produces about $157 million in tax revenue annually. Having this data is critical as our local government considers how to more intentionally incorporate arts and culture into recovery efforts and long-term planning. The $17 million allocated through CDBG-DR for economic recovery cannot come fast enough to support small businesses and extend arts-based investment into services like mental health, re-entry programs, and community centers, since the destruction of Hurricane Helene. We currently have a strong foundation to build from the City and County partnering with ArtsAVL to administer the Event Support Grant and ARPA-funded recovery programs, as well as the broader collaborative effort with ArtsAVL, the City, the County, and the Chamber that’s addressing live/work space for creatives, arts districts, workforce sustainability for artist, and public art funding. By expanding neighborhood-based arts programs, prioritizing local artists and cultural organizations in public projects, and integrating arts funding into public health, housing stabilization, and workforce development, the City and County can create more long-term jobs that are not solely dependent on tourism. If elected, I will prioritize ensuring arts and culture are treated as essential infrastructure ,not only in recovery, but also with long-term planning. I’m thankful for the opportunity to stand with ArtsAVL and the Creatives that make Asheville what it is.

Shaunda Jackson, City of Asheville City Council
Arts and culture are economic drivers and community anchors that strengthen quality of life and support recovery. Local government has a role in creating the conditions for arts and culture to thrive by supporting thoughtful public investment, including arts and culture in planning and economic development conversations, and working in partnership to expand access across neighborhoods.

Tyler Ladd, City of Asheville City Council
I am a local artist – I paint murals, commissioned pieces, and my own pieces that hang in galleries and cafes. I wish there were more spots that are open and accessible to local artists. The government has a responsibility to take care of its artists because that is one of the main attractions for why people love and come to Asheville in the first place. More art all day every day!

Jess McLean, City of Asheville City Council
I strongly agree that local government should play a proactive role in supporting arts and culture through funding, policy, and planning—not simply as entertainment, but as essential civic infrastructure that supports education, livelihoods, health, and community resilience. I grew up in Asheville immersed in the arts as a dancer (that’s right, I clogged!) and theater student, with access to museums, performances, and creative spaces across our region. Those experiences shaped my sense of belonging and possibility, and showed me how public investment can turn the arts from a privilege into a public good. A thriving arts ecosystem begins with early exposure in schools and continues through adulthood, professional practice, and aging in community. Arts education and engagement strengthen school connection, creativity, and confidence for young people while also creating meaningful work for local artists as business owners, educators, community leaders, and mentors. As Board President of Stewart/Owen Dance, a contemporary dance company in Asheville and the resident company at the Wortham Center, I’ve seen firsthand how local policy decisions affect whether artists can build sustainable lives here. From individual creators and studios to anchor institutions and creative districts, funding, space, and planning determine who gets to create and who gets to stay. This is especially urgent in the River Arts District, long home to hundreds of working artists and now rebuilding after devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. Supporting the arts must go beyond promoting Asheville as a destination and prioritize local artists, protect creative space, and address affordability with equity in mind. Asheville’s BIPOC arts community especially is a vital part of our cultural and economic fabric, with artists shaping public spaces, preserving community history, and building creative pathways rooted in lived experience. Equitable public investment in the arts is critical to ensuring these voices are visible, supported, and resourced across all neighborhoods. When we fund the arts through an equity lens, we strengthen both cultural expression and community belonging citywide.

David Moritz, City of Asheville City Council
Asheville has a long history of arts and culture. It’s one of the things that differentiates us and not only makes Asheville special but helps drive our economy. My platform is about infrastructure, housing, safety and economy. I would place support of the arts firmly in my economy pillar, which means both support for our small business as well as our artists. Of course, art should be supported for its own sake and the importance to our quality of life. However, to get broad public support in Asheville, and the City in particular, it is also important to acknowledge how much art is a driver to our economy. ArtsAVL may not remember but I am an owner of the Refinery at 217 Coxe Avenue where the ArtsAVL used to operate and manage the artists there. It was great having you in the building. I am a big personal supporter of the arts. I still make sure that the Refinery runs as an incubator for artists and makers for our community. I also continue to support Open Hearts at the building next door, which empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities though art. I helped pay for their murals too. I understand that the City currently funds such things as the Public Art Program, the Public Art Commission and support certain grants. I’d like to learn more from ArtsAVL about what support they believe is important from the City that could help elevate our artist community even more.

Antanette Mosley, City of Asheville City Council
Arts and culture are not extras. They are essential to the health, economy, and identity of a city like Asheville. As someone who began my legal career in entertainment, copyright, and trademark law, I understand both the economic and emotional value of creative work. Local government has a responsibility to nurture this sector through intentional investment and thoughtful policy. We’ve seen firsthand how the arts build bridges across difference, create jobs, and help communities heal, especially after crises like Tropical Storm Helene. Supporting the arts is not a luxury. It is part of how we build a resilient, connected, and vibrant Asheville for everyone. When we plan for housing, infrastructure, and economic development, arts and culture must be in the conversation. They cannot be on the margins.

CJ Snyder, City of Asheville City Council (responded after deadline)
The arts benefit everyone and are therefore a public good. When artists are funded in part or whole, it relieves the burden of artists having to make art for financial purposes and helps culture to flourish.

Kyle Turner, City of Asheville City Council (responded after deadline)
As Kyle—and as someone supporting Jeffrey—I believe Asheville City Council must treat arts and culture as essential civic infrastructure. They drive our economy, strengthen quality of life, and support community recovery after disruption. For the queer community, arts spaces also provide visibility, safety, and belonging. City Council should actively support arts and culture by protecting affordable creative space, preventing displacement, and ensuring recovery investments reach neighborhoods like West Asheville, not just downtown.

Maggie Ullman, City of Asheville City Council
Arts and culture aren’t a nice-to-have—they’re core civic infrastructure. They power our local economy, support small businesses, and shape the sense of place that makes Asheville Asheville. That’s why I’ve worked to make sure artists weren’t an afterthought in recovery—championing recovery grants so cultural workers could stay rooted here—and why I’ve pushed to rebuild the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium as a shared, public gathering space for our community. Especially after disruption or disaster, arts and culture help us heal, reconnect, and imagine what’s next. Local government’s role is to show up as a steady partner—investing in this sector so it can continue driving economic vitality, belonging, and a strong recovery for everyone.

Keith Young, City of Asheville City Council
Arts and culture are economic and recovery infrastructure, not a luxury. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications (Art and Design), and the arts are central to who I am and how I serve. Through my foundation, the Young Foundation for Social Justice and the Arts, I’ve seen how arts investment strengthens small businesses, builds community, and accelerates recovery. Local government should be a proactive partner through funding, policy, and planning, including stabilizing support for working artists and cultural organizations and integrating arts into public spaces and neighborhood revitalization across Asheville.

Rob Stetson, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 01
Local government needs to support but primarily stay out of the way. Throughout history, arts and culture has the ability to flourish organically. Humans inherently want and crave the arts. It’s good for the soul! On a side note…Bring Back Bele Chere!!!

Bobby Smith, City of Asheville City Council
Well there are situations with this that need to be spoken more than texted because of the misconception that could be created from not having a verbal expression with it, but we have an are that’s called the River Arts District? How much more support does one need more than that? What I would like to see more of is the Black, Indigenous, American Africans,and African Americans culture being supported! That’s the art that I would luv to support, but with the decline of any of this culture in Asheville our art drastically needs the support of the city,county,and state.

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• Lonnie Israel, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 02
• Greg Parks, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 02
• Al Whitesides, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 03 (uncontested race)
• Angel Gonzales, City of Asheville City Council
• Sheneika E. Smith, City of Asheville City Council
• Jared Wheatley, City of Asheville City Council