Advocacy

Our Role

The role of the Asheville Area Arts Council is to work with local community leaders and key strategic partners to form strong partnerships that support and advance the efforts of the local creative sector for the benefit of Buncombe County.

Our primary focus areas are (1) overall support for the Buncombe County arts sector, (2) arts education in our local schools, (3) equity and inclusion within the arts sector, and (4) arts & wellness as a tool for community health.

Asheville Area Arts Council also works with the Western Arts Agencies of North Carolina, Arts NC, and Americans for the Arts on arts initiatives at the regional, state, and federal levels.

See our COVID-19 page for pandemic news and resources.

Current Initiatives

Our Approach

Current Support

Our Officials

Community Initiatives

Vance Monument, honoring Confederate-era governor, should be removed, task force votes

The Vance Monument in downtown Asheville has been wrapped in a shroud while a task force is formed to decide its fate. Angeli Wright, awright@citizen-times.com

Open Letter to the Vance Monument Task Force

Across the nation, communities are looking at long-standing public artworks in a new light. Are these valuable pieces of our history or are they symbols of oppression that continue to reinforce inequities in our society?

How will Asheville’s new Council approach old priorities?

As newly elected Asheville City Council members Sandra Kilgore, Sage Turner and Kim Roney embark on a new chapter of civic leadership following a close race, they inherit controversial priorities from the outgoing Council that will likely dominate the first few months of their term.

Asheville City Council, Buncombe County board candidates weigh in on arts policy

Eleven of the 13 local candidates on the Nov. 3 general election ballot completed the Asheville Area Arts Council’s latest survey.

2020 Arts Questionnaire

The Asheville Area Arts Council asked Asheville City Council & Buncombe County Commissioner candidates to share their views on these issues impacting the arts.

Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts

Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts Today, the NC General Assembly passed coronavirus relief legislation (H1105) that provided $9.4 MILLION in emergency aid to the arts, the largest arts allocation in the State’s history. It is

Vance Monument Taskforce

On June 26 2020 the Board and Commission Committee voted on the formation of a joint task force with Buncombe County for the removal or repurposing of the Vance Monument. The Vance Monument Task Force will be composed of 12 people six (6) appointments from both the City and County respectively. In a…

Arts Graduation Requirement - Arts North Carolina

NC Arts High School Graduation Requirement Signed into Law by Governor Cooper On July 2, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill 681 into law which, among other things, created an Arts High School Graduation Requirement in North Carolina. Arts

Information on Proposed Changes to the Occupancy Tax

In February, the Asheville Buncombe Hotel Association published this document outlining supported changes to the occupancy tax.

What students want teachers to know about Asheville’s achievement gap

The Citizen Times sat down with black and white students to discuss what they think of Asheville’s vast achievement and opportunity gaps.

Transform the Wolfe

As we celebrate the venue’s 80th birthday, we ask you to learn more about the project to #TransformTheWolfe to ensure that the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium remains a home for arts, music, and entertainment for our future generations enjoy.

African American Heritage Project | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau

In 2018, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) awarded funding to two projects that will contribute to establishing an African American Heritage District that honors the rich heritage of the African American community in Asheville.

Haywood/Page Master Plan and Conceptual Design | The City of Asheville

Happening Now
The City of Asheville is moving forward with the creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. The creation of this plan is the next step to implement the community vision for the properties outlined in the Haywood and Page Vision Rep…

Broadway Cultural Gateway Report

A neighborhood planning project to transform the block surrounding 67 Broadway Street into a cultural gateway and arts destination that welcomes residents and visitors into downtown Asheville.

Arts Market Study Reflects Significant Demand for Affordable Housing

The Arts Market Study recommends an initial housing project that includes 168 units of affordable housing for artists/ creatives and 81 additional units of affordable studio space located at the City’s “Ice House” site at 81-91 Riverside Drive.

Hotel Development Study | The City of Asheville

Happening Now
In September, Asheville City Council approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels, which means that no hotel development applications will be approved for a year. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City time to further study the issues surrounding tourism…

Funding Discussions

Tourism Management & Investment Plan (TMIP) | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) approved funding for a yearlong community engagement process to better manage tourism and plan investments for the next decade, while maintaining the character and integrity of the region.

Asheville, Buncombe officials and hoteliers approach agreement on occupancy tax change

Elected officials and hoteliers from Asheville and Buncombe County are near a deal to change the controversial hotel tax to allow broader use of the fund.

Strategic Partnership Funds | The City of Asheville

The Community Development is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the 2020-21 Strategic Partnership Fund (SPF) grant application. The SPF grant application will open on Friday, January 17, 2020 and will close on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. Please note that the timeline for SPF grants ha…

Strategic Partnership Grants

Buncombe County invests in a thriving and sustainable community through annual Strategic Partnership Grants. Community partners are funded through performance contracts based on outcomes aligned with Buncombe County sustainability goals.

GOP lawmaker to offer bill to create universal charitable deduction on ‘Giving Tuesday’

Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) announced Monday that he is planning to mark “Giving Tuesday” by reintr...

Statement in Response to Passage of FY 2020 Spending Bills

Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch applauds five pro-arts appropriation items and thanks bipartisan partners on the Hill and across the country who advocated for them.

Legal Updates

Public Policy Updates | North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

Our Nonprofit Policy Update newsletter is a service for current Members of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. We track state and federal policy issues that affect all 501(c)(3) nonprofits. (We are temporarily providing Nonprofit Policy Update to all NC nonprofits to help the sector respond to…

Legal Compliance Checklist

Created by the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits and updated annually, the legal compliance checklist outlines laws that affect North Carolina nonprofits’ governance, finances, advocacy, human resources, and fundraising.

Additional Resources

Advocacy – Arts North Carolina

A vibrant North Carolina where the arts are embraced by all as indispensable.

Americans for the Arts Advocacy Hub

Anyone can Advocate for the Arts and have impact. Americans for the Arts provides tools, research, and training that help arts professionals and regular citizens alike become seasoned arts advocates. This Advocate Hub highlights ways you can get involved and start advocating for the arts today.