In February, ArtsAVL began asking county-area artists and arts organizations to share the space-related challenges impacting their growth and development. The Creative Spaces report was released last week during a town hall where local leaders of the arts scene came together to discuss impacts and solutions.
Here are a few key findings:
- 51% of respondents said they did not have access to affordable creative space (60% for respondents who did not identify as white).
- 15% of Arts Professionals responding said they are no longer located in Buncombe County, with rising costs as their top reason for leaving.
- Main contributors to rising rental rates for studio spaces are demand, maintenance, and increasing property taxes and insurance costs.
Find the full report, covering the cost of living, inventory of creative spaces, and case studies. It will be used to help ArtAVL work with local leaders to draft initiatives to stabilize the county’s arts community and guide a 10-year plan for sustaining Buncombe County arts and culture, launching in mid-2025.
