Advocacy

What’s Happening Now

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.

See our COVID-19 for pandemic news and resources. 

Election Information

Asheville City Council Candidates

Sandra Kilgore
Rich Lee
Kim Roney
Sage Turner
Keith Young

Buncombe County Commissioner Candidates

Chairman
Brownie Newman (DEM)
Robert Pressley (REP)

District 1
Terri Wells (DEM)
Glenda P. Weinert (REP)

District 2
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (DEM)
Anthony Penland (REP)

District 3
Parker Sloan (DEM)
Joe Blecher (REP)

Election Information

2020 Arts Questionnaire
The Asheville Area Arts Council has requested Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commissioner candidates complete this survey by Monday, September 21st, so that our constituents can better understand each candidate's stance on these policy topics.
Election Portal - Arts North Carolina
In a democracy, elections not only are the process by which we select our Representatives in Government, but the way in which we have a public conversation as an electorate and a community. It is important to have the
Board of Election Services - Buncombe County | Asheville
Buncombe County :: Election Services
Buncombe County Candidate Survey
Buncombe County Candidate Arts Survey
Arts Council staff sent all six Buncombe County Commissioner candidates a five-question survey, asking their positions on Buncombe County’s creative sector. Sadly, Comissioner Mike Fryar passed away suddenly last week. All of the five remaining candidates – Terri Wells (D), Nancy Nelson (D), Anthony Penland (R), Parker Sloan (D), and Donna Ensley (D) – responded. See their full responses below.
Buncombe County Candidate Survey
Asheville City Council Candidate Arts Survey
Arts council staff sent all nine Asheville City Council candidates a four-question survey, asking their positions on Asheville’s creative sector. Seven of the nine candidates – Kristen Goldsmith, Rich Lee, Shane McCarthy, Kim Roney, Nicole Townsend, Sage Turner, and Keith Young – responded. See their full responses below.

Community Initiatives

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
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.
Keep AVL Creative
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 logo
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.
The City of Asheville
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

Resources on Laws Affecting N.C. Nonprofits
Guiding principles and benchmarks for nonprofit best practices

Additional Resources

Advocacy – Arts North Carolina
A vibrant North Carolina where the arts are embraced by all as indispensable.
Americans for the Arts lgoo
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.