ArtsAVL’s 2025 State of the Arts Brunch earlier this month provided meaningful insight into the recovery of WNC’s creative sector.
Since Helene, the organization has distributed more than $1.4 million in Emergency Relief Grants for artists. Here’s a look at how ArtsAVL is utilizing planning, arts tourism, and case studies in its recovery initiatives.
ArtsAVL has worked with the cultural planning firm Lord Cultural Resources to create a five-year countywide arts recovery plan with support from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and other local arts partners. Planning will begin in July.
To support arts tourism, the organization partnered with local marketing firm One For the Books to launch the “Redefine the Weekend” campaign. Through billboards, commercials, a weekly newsletter, and more tools, the campaign connects locals and visitors with arts opportunities in downtown Asheville, the RAD, Weaverville, and Black Mountain.
Executive Director Katie Cornell highlighted other cities that have faced devastating natural disasters, like Los Angeles and New Orleans, as case studies in leveraging arts programming to support economic and cultural recovery, and can inform Asheville’s rebuilding plans.
To dive deeper into the health of Asheville’s arts sector, you can watch the full State of the Arts presentation.
